Is a fire audit mandatory for a housing society in Maharashtra?

The fire Act makes every society file Form B, a Licensed Agency's maintenance certificate, in January and July, and adds a licensed Fire and Life Safety Audit every 2 years for residential towers above 70 m. Model bye-law 75(c) also asks a society that adopts it to carry out a periodical fire audit and keep its record.

Who signs Form B for a housing society?

A Licensed Agency signs the certificate itself, digitally, with the signature on its licence. The society, as owner, files it with a covering letter and declaration that the July 2026 MFS guidelines expect the chairman or secretary to sign.

How much does a fire audit cost for a housing society?

Maharashtra sets no fee for filing Form B and no price for the agency's AMC; both are agreed with the agency. The only state yardstick is Maharashtra PWD's 2018-19 estimating rate of Rs 6 per m² for a complete fire audit of a government building. Official rates exist elsewhere: in Delhi from 20 May 2027 a Level-3 auditor charges Rs 63,000 to Rs 5,00,000 per certification, Kerala charges flats above 35 m Rs 6,000 a year, and Bihar's fire service audits homes at Rs 1 per m².

Which society fund pays for fire safety maintenance?

Under the model bye-laws, the Repairs and Maintenance Fund pays for maintenance and renewals of the society's property, and the Reserve Fund may also be used. The Sinking Fund is kept for reconstruction and heavy repairs on a general body resolution.

Is the society secretary liable if Form B is not filed?

The duty sits on the society as owner. Section 38 of the 2006 Act also deems the persons in charge of an association of individuals guilty, and a secretary whose consent or neglect led to the offence. Flamekite reads that as reaching a society's committee and secretary; no court ruling was checked.

How often must a Hyderabad apartment society upload a fire audit?

Under Telangana's circular of 28 January 2020, residential buildings above 30 m and below 45 m upload a third-party certificate once a year in January, and residential buildings of 45 m every January and July.

Can the fire brigade seal a housing society?

Yes, under section 8 of the Maharashtra Act, for imminent danger: it can order occupants out, have power and water cut if they stay, and seal the building. Removing a seal is a cognizable, non-bailable offence.

Do flats in a housing society need sprinklers?

In Maharashtra, Schedule-I sprinklers the entire building, flats included, above 45 m. Below that, apartment houses need sprinklers only in a basement larger than 200 m².

Fire audit 30 min read

Fire audit for a housing society: Form B, the bye-laws and who pays

Updated October 2026By Flamekite Editorial DeskFacts checked against official sources on 25 October 2026

Quick answer

In Maharashtra a registered co-operative housing society is an "owner" under the 2006 fire Act and its members are "occupiers". The society keeps the building's fire systems working at all times and files Form B, a Licensed Agency's maintenance certificate, every January and July. A residential tower above 70 m adds a licensed Fire and Life Safety Audit every 2 years.

Model bye-law 75(c) also asks a society to carry out a periodical fire audit and keep its record, in the Structural and Fire Audit Register. The bye-laws pay for upkeep from the Repairs and Maintenance Fund, not the Sinking Fund. Other states set their own residential cycles: Telangana, for example, wants a third-party certificate every January above 30 m, and every January and July at 45 m.

Model bye-law on fire audit: 75(c); Periodical fire audit, with a record kept; The bye-law
Terrace tank, 15 to 35 m: 25,000 litres; For an apartment house in Schedule-I; Systems by height
Committee's yearly spend, 51+ members: Rs 1,00,000; Above it, the general body decides; AMC approval route
Licensed-agency rows that can sign: 861; Serials run to 847; list valid to 03.07.2028; In numbers

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Fire audit for a housing society at a glance: 10 facts

Who carries a society's fire duty, what it files and when, with the instrument behind each fact. Last verified 25 October 2026.
What	The rule	Source
The society's status	An "owner": section 2(11) of the Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act, 2006 names "a registered co-operative housing society"	MFS Act 2006 copy
The members' status	"Occupiers": section 2(10)(e) names "a member of a co-operative housing society or an apartment owner"	MFS Act 2006 copy
The standing duty	Keep the fire prevention and life safety measures "in good repair and efficient condition at all times" (section 3(1))	MFS Act 2006 copy
The periodic paper	Form B from a Licensed Agency, filed every January and July (section 3(3))	MFS Act 2006 copy
Towers above 70 m	A section 45A Fire and Life Safety Audit every 2 years by a licensed auditor, and Form B-1 through the monitoring system	Amendment Act 2023
The model bye-law	Bye-law 75(c): "periodical Fire Audit of its property as per the State Fire Policy", with a record kept	MH model bye-laws 2014
The register	"The Structural and Fire Audit Register and Lift Inspection Record", item 14 of bye-law 140	MH model bye-laws 2014
Who signs the covering letter	The owner or occupier, "eg Chairman or Secretary of CHS", under the MFS guidelines of 7 July 2026	MFS Form B guidelines
Penalty for letting systems lapse	Rigorous imprisonment of 6 months to 3 years and a fine of Rs 20,000 to Rs 50,000 (section 36(1))	MFS Act 2006 copy
Outside Maharashtra, for example	Telangana: a third-party certificate every January for residential buildings above 30 m, every January and July at 45 m	TG fire circular 2020

Housing society fire duties in 14 states: what, how often, who signs

What a residential society or apartment association files to keep its fire papers alive in each state, as the state's instrument or its Flamekite page records it on 25 October 2026.
Option	What the society files	How often	Who signs or issues	Residential buildings covered	Source
Maharashtra	Form B; above 70 m also Form B-1 and the section 45A audit on Form V	Every January and July; the audit every 2 years	A Licensed Agency; a licensed Fire and Life Safety Auditor for the audit	Apartment houses in every height band of Schedule-I, below 15 m included	MFS Act 2006 copy
Telangana	A third-party fire audit certificate uploaded on the fire service website	Every January above 30 m and below 45 m; every January and July at 45 m	A third-party fire safety auditor or consultant, with a licence number	Occupied buildings with an occupancy NOC; a fire NOC is needed from 24 m for fresh applications since 7 October 2026	TG fire circular 2020
Delhi	Renewal of the Fire Safety Certificate on Form I; from 20 May 2027 a Form K declaration	Every 5 years until 20 May 2027, then every year	Delhi Fire Service; from 2027 Form K is filed by an empanelled auditor, a Fire Safety Officer or the owner, and only a Level-3 auditor certifies at 15 m and above	Residential buildings over 15 m or 5 storeys	DFS
Gujarat	Renewal on Form B-13.3, then Form B-15	First certificate 3 years, then every 2 years; Form B-15 every 6 months	An enrolled Fire Safety Officer, after RFO or CFO approval	Flats 15 m and above	Gujarat Gazette 2024
Haryana	A self-declaration that the systems work and nothing changed	Every year; renewal every 3 years, the first certificate 5	The owner	Residential buildings above 16.5 m	Government of Haryana
Uttar Pradesh	Form A-8 maintenance declaration, countersigned by the agency	Every January and July; the certificate runs 5 years	The owner, with a licensed qualified agency	Residential buildings over 15 m	UP Rules 2024
Uttarakhand	A self-declaration or Self Audit Report	Every 6 months; the NOC runs 5 years	The owner	Residential NOC holders other than hotels	Uttarakhand Home notification
West Bengal	The full Fire Safety Certificate; small KMC blocks self-certify on Form-1	Self-certification every year	The fire service; the owner for Form-1	Housing complexes of more than 8 flats at any height; 14.5 m and above statewide	West Bengal Fire and Emergency Services
Bihar	Renewal on Form M; a fire audit by the fire service when sent to audit	Every 5 years, applied 45 days before expiry	Bihar Fire Services	Residential buildings other than hotels	Bihar Rules 2021
Odisha	Renewal, or audit certificates on Forms IV and IV(B) to renew without inspection	5 years for homes of 15 m and above; audits each January and July	An empanelled auditor; a rule 9(15)(a)(i) or (ii) holder for homes above 30 m	Residential buildings from 15 m	Order 50908 of 2019
Kerala	The fire fighting preparedness fee that keeps the certificate alive	Every year	Kerala Fire and Rescue Services	Flats (A4); Rs 6,000 a year above 35 m	Kerala Fire and Rescue Services
Puducherry	Audit certificates from any 2 licensed agencies, on display	NOC valid 3 years at a time	Licensed third-party fire safety audit agencies	Apartments above 17 m (Category A)	Puducherry G.O. 61
Tamil Nadu	Renewal of the fire licence on TNSWP	A 2022 licence ran 1 year; Act 37 of 2025 is not in force	Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services	Buildings over 18.30 m need the plan-stage NOC	TNFRS licence
Karnataka	No periodic audit or renewal published	Not published	KSFES issues a Clearance Certificate after installation, at no charge	21 m and above	Seva Sindhu

A housing society's fire compliance year in 7 steps

Read your building's height band and state duty
Find the society's row in the state table and, in Maharashtra, its band in Schedule-I: the band decides the systems the agency maintains, and 70 m decides whether the 2-yearly audit applies.
Put the fire AMC on the general body agenda
A contract above the committee's yearly limit of Rs 25,000, Rs 50,000 or Rs 1,00,000, by membership, needs the general body's prior sanction, and the general body sets the limit above which tenders are called.
Check every bidder's licence before the contract
Find the agency on the MFS list valid to 03.07.2028, in the class for the system it will keep, and not on the suspended or blacklisted list. Give each system group to one agency for the whole building.
Attend the test day and hold the mock drill
A committee member watches the pumps, hose reels, alarm and changeover run, keeps the dated photographs, and records the drill's attendance sheet.
Sign the covering letter as chairman or secretary
Declare no alterations, no misused refuge area and exits kept free. The declaration carries criminal liability under section 36, so sign only what the committee has seen.
File in January and July and write it in the register
Send the Form B file to the Chief Fire Officer or the Director within the month, and enter it in the Structural and Fire Audit Register with the acknowledgement.
Report back and refresh the Emergency Planning Scheme
Tell the general body what the agency found, put the repairs to the committee, and update the plan and phone numbers on the notice board.

Who answers for fire safety in a housing society: society, members, secretary

The society, as owner of the common fire systems, carries the duty to maintain them and to file Form B. Members are occupiers, bound not to tamper with equipment in their flats, and the committee answers for the society.

Section 2(11) of the Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act, 2006 counts "a registered co-operative housing society" as an owner, together with a builder who sells flats under the Ownership Flats Act, 1963 or the Apartment Ownership Act, 1970. Section 2(10)(e) makes each member of a co-operative housing society, and each apartment owner, an occupier. So once a builder hands over, the society is the owner that section 3(1) tells to keep the measures in good repair and section 3(3) tells to file the January and July certificate.

Members carry their own duty. Section 3(4) bars any person from tampering with, altering, removing or damaging installed fire equipment, or getting someone else to do it. That matters most in towers above 45 m, where Schedule-I puts sprinklers in the flats themselves, not only in the common areas.

Inside the society, the model bye-laws give the job to the managing committee. Bye-law 154 makes it "the responsibility of the Committee to maintain the property of the Society in good condition at all times"; bye-law 155 has the Secretary inspect the property, with a technical expert if needed, and report the repairs needed; the Committee then decides. The 2026 Form B covering-letter format is signed by the owner or occupier, "eg Chairman or Secretary of CHS".

Section 38 of the Act reaches past the society. Where an offence is committed by a company, which the section defines to include "a firm or other association of individuals", every person in charge of its affairs is deemed guilty unless they show they did not know or used due diligence, and a secretary or officer whose consent, connivance or neglect led to it is guilty too. Flamekite's reading, not a court ruling: that can reach the committee members who control a society's affairs and its secretary.

The four roles the law and the bye-laws assign
What	The rule	Source
Society	Owner under section 2(11): maintains the common systems and files Form B	MFS Act 2006 copy
Member	Occupier under section 2(10)(e): must not tamper with equipment (section 3(4))	MFS Act 2006 copy
Managing committee	Keeps the society's property in good condition at all times (bye-law 154)	MH model bye-laws 2014
Secretary	Inspects the property and reports repairs to the committee (bye-law 155(a))	MH model bye-laws 2014

Model bye-law 75(c): the society's own fire audit duty

Maharashtra's model bye-laws of 2014 put a fire audit beside the structural audit in one bye-law, and ask the society to keep its record.

Word for word

c. The Society shall undertake to carry out periodical Fire Audit of its property as per the State Fire Policy, and maintain record thereof

Bye-law 75(c), Model Bye-laws of Co-operative Housing Society (Tenant Co-Partnership Housing Society), 2014, Commissioner of Cooperation, Maharashtra MH model bye-laws 2014

The same bye-law sets the structural audit: once in 5 years for buildings 15 to 30 years old, once in 3 years after 30 years. It fixes no period for the fire audit; it points to the "State Fire Policy", a term the bye-laws do not define and Flamekite found no instrument for. The State's fire law sets the periodic duty: Form B every January and July, and the section 45A audit for residential towers above 70 m. An MFS circular of 16 September 2015 advised a fire risk audit at least once a year for high-rise buildings, but stated that "there is no obligation on the part of the owner or the occupier" to get one. A society is bound by the bye-laws it has registered, so check that its own copy carries bye-law 75.

Fire systems a Maharashtra apartment society must maintain, by height

Schedule-I of the 2006 Act, as substituted on 11 May 2023, sets the minimum installations for apartment houses (class A-4) in 5 height bands. These are what the society's agency maintains and certifies in Form B. Read off the gazette page images.

	Hose reel, riser or down comer	Sprinklers	Alarm and detection	Water and pumps
Below 15 m MH Act 2023 Schedule-I	Extinguishers and a first-aid hose reel; no riser	In the basement, if it exceeds 200 m²	Not required	Terrace tank 5,000 litres and a 450 l/min terrace pump, doubled if the basement exceeds 200 m²
15 m to 35 m MH Act 2023 Schedule-I	Hose reel and a down comer	In the basement, if it exceeds 200 m²	Manual fire alarm; talk-back and public address from 24 m	Terrace tank 25,000 litres and a 900 l/min terrace pump
Above 35 m to 45 m MH Act 2023 Schedule-I	Hose reel and a wet riser	In the basement if over 200 m², fed from both tanks	Manual fire alarm	Underground tank 75,000 litres, terrace tank 5,000 litres; electric and diesel pumps of 2,280 l/min and a 180 l/min jockey per 100 hydrants
Above 45 m to 60 m MH Act 2023 Schedule-I	Hose reel, wet riser and yard hydrant	The entire building, flats included	Manual fire alarm	Underground tank 1,50,000 litres, terrace tank 10,000 litres; 2 electric pumps, a diesel standby and 2 jockeys
Above 60 m MH Act 2023 Schedule-I	Hose reel, wet riser and yard hydrant	The entire building, flats included	Manual alarm and automatic detection (not in car parks)	Underground tank 2,00,000 litres, terrace tank 10,000 litres; pumps of 2,850 l/min

Note 15(b) of Schedule-I: "Common areas as well as Livable areas" are sprinklered above 45 m. Note 1 moves talk-back and public address to 24 m for apartments, against 15 m for most other classes. Every band needs fire extinguishers. Section 48A lets the State amend the Schedule by notification.

Which fire filing does your housing society owe? 9 cases

Match the society's state, height and papers to one line.

If A Maharashtra society below 70 m with a Final Fire Safety Approval
Form B every January and July from a Licensed Agency, and an entry in the Structural and Fire Audit Register. No section 45A audit. Form B Fire NOC Maharashtra MFS Act 2006 copy
If A Maharashtra residential tower above 70 m
Form B-1 through the automated monitoring system each January and July, and a licensed Fire and Life Safety Audit on Form V every 2 years. Third-Party Fire Audit Amendment Act 2023
If A Maharashtra building completed before the Act and served a section 6 notice
The occupiers carry out the additional measures the notice specifies, within its time limit (section 3(1), proviso). MFS Act 2006 copy
If A Telangana residential building above 30 m and below 45 m with an occupancy NOC
A third-party auditor's certificate uploaded once a year, in January. Fire NOC Telangana TG fire circular 2020
If A Telangana residential building of 45 m
The third-party certificate every January and July. Fire NOC Telangana TG fire circular 2020
If A Telangana apartment block below 24 m whose plans were filed on or after 7 October 2026
No Provisional fire NOC is required, and the 2020 circular sets no audit cycle for residential buildings up to 30 m. TGFD circular 3455
If A Delhi residential building over 15 m or 5 storeys
Renew the Fire Safety Certificate every 5 years, applying on Form I at least 6 months ahead; from 20 May 2027 a Form K every year. Fire NOC Delhi DFS
If A Gujarat block of flats of 15 m or more, past its first 3 years
An enrolled Fire Safety Officer renews it every 2 years and files Form B-15 every 6 months. Fire NOC Gujarat Gujarat Fire Safety Compliance Portal
If An Uttar Pradesh apartment house over 15 m
Form A-8 every January and July, and renewal of the 5-year certificate a month before it ends. Fire NOC UP UP Rules 2024

Which society fund pays for the fire AMC, Form B and audit

The model bye-laws create 4 funds and say what each may pay for. None names fire systems, so the match below is Flamekite's reading of bye-laws 13, 14, 66 and 158.

Recurring upkeep
Repairs and Maintenance Fund
At least 0.75% a year of each flat's construction cost, "for meeting the expenditure on maintenance of the Society's property and repairs and renewals thereof" (bye-law 14(b)). The yearly AMC and the Form B visits are maintenance of common property. MH model bye-laws 2014
Also available
Reserve Fund
May be used for "repairs, maintenance and renewals of the Society's property" (bye-law 14(a)), like the repairs fund. MH model bye-laws 2014
Big replacements
Major Repairs Fund
Raised when the general body decides, at a rate fixed pro rata on area (bye-law 13(b)): the route for a one-off job such as a new pump set or riser. MH model bye-laws 2014
Not for the AMC
Sinking Fund
At least 0.25% a year of construction cost, used on a general body resolution for reconstruction, structural additions or heavy repairs the architect certifies (bye-law 14(c)). MH model bye-laws 2014
Separate charge
Fire insurance
Bye-law 159(a) makes the society insure its buildings against fire; insurance charges are shared by each flat's built-up area (bye-law 66). MH model bye-laws 2014
Inside the flats
Members' own repairs
Repairs not on the bye-law 158(a) list fall on members, and fire installations are not on that list. In a sprinklered tower, settle by general body resolution who pays for fire parts inside flats. MH model bye-laws 2014

Passing a fire AMC through the society: from the secretary's report to the contract

Bye-laws 155 to 157 set the route for any repair or maintenance spend, the fire AMC included. The committee's yearly limit is Rs 25,000, Rs 50,000 or Rs 1,00,000 by the number of members.

1. The Secretary inspects and reports
On a member's complaint or on his own motion, with a technical expert if needed, the Secretary reports the repairs needed to the Committee (bye-law 155(a)). MH model bye-laws 2014
2. The Committee decides
It considers the report and decides which repairs to carry out; members must allow access for the inspection (bye-law 155). MH model bye-laws 2014
3. Within the yearly limit
The Committee may spend once in a financial year up to Rs 25,000 with up to 25 members, Rs 50,000 with 26 to 50, and Rs 1,00,000 with 51 or more (bye-law 156(a)). MH model bye-laws 2014
4. Above it, the general body
A larger one-time spend needs the general body's prior sanction (bye-law 156(b)). MH model bye-laws 2014
5. Tenders above the general body's limit
The general body fixes how much the Committee may spend without tenders; above it, tenders go before the general body for approval (bye-law 156(c)). MH model bye-laws 2014
6. Only licensed bidders
Section 10 of the fire Act lets only a Licensed Agency do the work. Check each bidder on the MFS list valid to 03.07.2028 before the tender is decided. MFS agency list
7. The Committee signs and follows through
It enters into the contract and stays responsible until the work is complete (bye-law 157). MH model bye-laws 2014

Housing society fire compliance in numbers

2
Form B certificates a Maharashtra society files each year, in January and July MFS Act 2006 copy
70 m
Residential height above which the 2-yearly section 45A audit applies Amendment Act 2023
45 m
Apartment height above which Schedule-I sprinklers the flats as well as the common areas MH Act 2023 Schedule-I
861
Rows on the MFS licensed-agency list valid to 03.07.2028 (serials run to 847) MFS agency list
0.75 %
Minimum yearly Repairs and Maintenance Fund, of each flat's construction cost MH model bye-laws 2014
0.25 %
Minimum yearly Sinking Fund, of each flat's construction cost, land excluded MH model bye-laws 2014
5 x
The monthly maintenance charge a member pays for each month of encroaching a staircase, corridor or other common area MH model bye-laws 2014
3 years
Structural audit cycle for buildings more than 30 years old, in the same bye-law as the fire audit MH model bye-laws 2014

Housing society fire audit cost: the rates an official source sets

No Maharashtra instrument sets a fee for filing Form B or a price for the agency's AMC; those are agreed with the agency. These are the society-relevant rates that an Act, rule or order does fix.

As published

Maharashtra Form B filing feeNone foundRule 4 and the MFS circulars set none; the AMC order goes in without its amount MFS Form B guidelines
Maharashtra section 45A audit, towers above 70 mNot publishedA private price; the Rs 25,000 in rule 34 is the auditor's own licence fee Amendment Rules 2025
Delhi Level-3 Fire Safety Auditor, per certificationRs 63,000 to Rs 5,00,000From 20 May 2027; the only level that may certify buildings of 15 m and above DFS
Delhi Form K filing, every yearRs 1,000From 20 May 2027 DFS
Gujarat renewal, apartment block of 15 to 35 mRs 1,000Annexure 8; the Fire Safety Officer's own charge is separate Gujarat Fire Safety Compliance Portal
Kerala preparedness fee, flats above 35 mRs 6,000 a year5 years cost 5 times Kerala Fire and Rescue Services
Odisha renewal, residentialRs 1 per m² of built-up areaCharged again at each renewal OFES FSC service
Bihar fire audit by the fire service, residentialRs 1 per m²Schedule C, all floors BFS fee PDF
Tripura empanelled agency, private dwellingsRs 2.50 per m²First inspection; Rs 5 per m² for other buildings Tripura Home (F&ES)

A quote from an agency or auditor is a private price, not a government fee. Flamekite's worked fund figures are in the cases below.

Fire records a housing society keeps for the fire officer and the auditor

Bye-law 140 lists 16 registers a society keeps; item 14 is the one for fire. These 10 papers fill it.

The Structural and Fire Audit Register and Lift Inspection Record (bye-law 140, item 14). MH model bye-laws 2014
Each January and July Form B, with the covering letter and the fire officer's acknowledgement. MFS Act 2006 copy
The AMC or CAMC order with each agency, filed with Form B without the amount. MFS Form B guidelines
Service and test reports signed on the testing day by the agency and the society's representative, with dated photographs. MFS Form B guidelines
The attendance sheet of each mock drill. MFS Form B guidelines
The agency's licence copy, with the digital signature that appears on its Form B. MFS circular 236
The Final and Provisional Fire Safety Approval numbers and dates the covering letter quotes. MFS Form B guidelines
The Emergency Planning Scheme, discussed at the general body and displayed on the notice board (bye-law 159(b)). MH model bye-laws 2014
The fire insurance policy on the buildings (bye-law 159(a)). MH model bye-laws 2014
Above 70 m: the Form V audit certificate and report, and the auditor's date- and time-stamped photos signed by the society's representative. Amendment Rules 2025

Where housing societies fail fire inspections, and the fix

Most failures in a society are made by its own members and committee, not by the equipment. These 7 come from the Act, Schedule-I, the bye-laws and the 2026 Form B guidelines.

If Shoe racks, cycles and cupboards in staircases and corridors
Bye-law 168(a) bars any member from occupying common areas; an encroacher vacates and pays 5 times the monthly maintenance charge for each month. The Form B covering letter also declares exits free. MH model bye-laws 2014
If A refuge area turned into a society office or store
The covering letter declares refuge areas are not misused. Clear it before the testing day, or the chairman or secretary signs a false declaration. MFS Form B guidelines
If Sprinkler heads boxed in during a flat's interior work in a tower above 45 m
Schedule-I sprinklers the flats too, and section 3(4) bars tampering. The Secretary may serve a repair notice and recover the cost from the member (bye-law 46). MH Act 2023 Schedule-I
If A member stocking combustible goods in a flat or garage
Bye-law 47 needs the Committee's written permission for combustible goods, or any goods needing a permit under another law. MH model bye-laws 2014
If Each wing or floor brings its own agency's Form B
Clause 6.1 of the July 2026 guidelines gives each system group to one agency for the entire building. MFS Form B guidelines
If The agency's licence ran out months ago
A Form B may be accepted only if not more than 3 months have passed since the licence expired; renew the contract with a licensed agency. MFS Form B guidelines
If No mock drill since handover
The covering letter declares a periodic mock drill with the attendance sheet attached; hold one before the January or July filing. MFS Form B guidelines

Penalties a housing society and its committee face in Maharashtra

The 2006 Act punishes the society as owner, the member who tampers and, through section 38, the people who run the society. The amounts were read off the gazette page.

Offence	Penalty	Law
The society lets its fire systems fall out of repair	Rigorous imprisonment of 6 months to 3 years and a fine of Rs 20,000 to Rs 50,000	Section 36(1)(a)(i), with section 3(1) MFS Act 2006 copy
A member removes, alters or damages fire equipment	Rigorous imprisonment of 6 months to 3 years and a fine of Rs 20,000 to Rs 50,000; cognizable and non-bailable	Sections 36(1)(a)(ii) and 37, with section 3(4) MFS Act 2006 copy
No Form B filed	Rigorous imprisonment of 6 months to 3 years and a fine. Flamekite's reading: no specific penalty is set, so the general clause applies	Section 36(2)(c) and (iii) MFS Act 2006 copy
A section 6 notice after inspection is ignored	Rigorous imprisonment of 6 months to 3 years and a fine of Rs 20,000 to Rs 50,000; the fire officer may do the work and recover the cost	Section 36(1)(d); section 7 MFS Act 2006 copy
The enforcement cost is not paid within 15 days of demand	Recovered as if it were arrears of property tax	Section 7(2) MFS Act 2006 copy
The building is in imminent danger	Occupants ordered out; if they stay, power and water can be cut and the building sealed	Section 8 MFS Act 2006 copy
An offence by the society as an association of individuals	Each person in charge of its affairs is deemed guilty, and a secretary whose consent or neglect led to it. Flamekite's reading of the definition	Section 38 MFS Act 2006 copy

Without special reasons recorded in the judgement, section 36(1) punishment cannot fall below 3 months and Rs 10,000, and section 36(2) punishment below 1 month and Rs 2,000. Section 39 lets the Director compound offences other than those in section 37. The full penalty table is on the Form B page.

Housing society fire terms, from the Act and the bye-laws

Owner (section 2(11)): Includes a registered co-operative housing society, and a builder who sells flats under the 1963 or 1970 Act. MFS Act 2006 copy
Occupier (section 2(10)(e)): Includes a member of a co-operative housing society and an apartment owner. MFS Act 2006 copy
Apartment house (A-4): The Schedule-I class for blocks of flats, in 5 height bands from below 15 m to above 60 m. MH Act 2023 Schedule-I
Structural and Fire Audit Register: Item 14 of the registers in bye-law 140, kept with the lift inspection record. MH model bye-laws 2014
Emergency Planning Scheme: The committee's plan under bye-law 159(b): dangers, risk, the fire brigade and police to call, and every member's emergency number, displayed on the notice board. MH model bye-laws 2014
Repairs and Maintenance Fund: Collected at a minimum of 0.75% a year of each flat's construction cost for normal recurring repairs (bye-law 13(a)). MH model bye-laws 2014
Sinking Fund: Collected at a minimum of 0.25% a year, for reconstruction or heavy repairs on a general body resolution (bye-laws 13(c), 14(c)). MH model bye-laws 2014
Licensed Agency: A firm the Director licenses under section 9 to install and maintain fire systems and sign Form A and Form B; licences run 2 years since 2023. Amendment Act 2023

Housing society fire audit worked cases: 6 buildings

Flamekite's reading of the rules for 6 example societies; the buildings are illustrations, the figures are the instruments'.

Case 1
A 40-flat, 22 m society in Pune
Stilt plus 7 floors, Final approval held, no basement.
What applies The 15 to 35 m band: hose reels, a down comer, a manual alarm, a 25,000 litre terrace tank and a 900 l/min pump; no talk-back below 24 m. Form B each January and July. With 40 members the committee may spend Rs 50,000 a year, so a larger AMC goes to the general body. MH Act 2023 Schedule-I
Case 2
A 72 m tower society in Mumbai
120 flats over 2 basements.
What applies Above 70 m, so a section 45 building: Form B-1 through the monitoring system each January and July and a licensed Fire and Life Safety Audit every 2 years. Above 60 m its flats are sprinklered and automatic detection is required. Amendment Act 2023
Case 3
A 38 m apartment complex in Hyderabad
Occupancy NOC held.
What applies Above 30 m and below 45 m: a third-party auditor's certificate uploaded once a year, in January, under the circular of 28 January 2020. TG fire circular 2020
Case 4
A 48 m tower in Gachibowli
Residential, occupancy NOC held.
What applies At 45 m and above: the third-party certificate every January and July, with each of the 13 measures marked working or not. TG fire circular 2020
Case 5
An 18 m RWA block in Delhi
Stilt plus 5 floors of flats.
What applies Over 15 m: the certificate renews every 5 years until 20 May 2027. After that a Form K each year with Rs 1,000; if an auditor certifies, it must be Level-3, at Rs 63,000 to Rs 5,00,000 per certification. DFS
Case 6
Funds for a flat that cost Rs 30 lakh to build
Construction cost certified by the architect.
What applies Flamekite's arithmetic on bye-law 13: at least Rs 22,500 a year to the Repairs and Maintenance Fund (0.75%) and Rs 7,500 to the Sinking Fund (0.25%), per flat. MH model bye-laws 2014

Society Form B compliance in Maharashtra: what officials reported, 2023 to 2026

From news reports, not yet an official source.

By 25 October 2026 the fire services had published no count of housing societies filing Form B. The figures below are as reported, and all point the same way: most societies do not file.

18 August 2026
PropNewsTime reports the Cooperation Department's draft Model Bye-Laws 2026, keeping the 0.75% repairs fund and 0.25% sinking fund minimums; it reports nothing on fire audits. PropNewsTimenews report
6 June 2026
Navbharat Live reports that only 489 institutions had filed Form B with the Pune Municipal Corporation's fire department, against a reporter's count of about 25,000 housing societies in Pune. Navbharat Livenews report
4 June 2024
Pune Pulse reports that societies will soon file the report online, as state director S. S. Warick confirmed; PMC's chief fire officer says societies can mail the agency's form to the fire brigade. The report's "January and June" is wrong: the Act says January and July. Pune Pulsenews report
16 August 2023
PropNewsTime (last update) reports that about 40,000 of 2 lakh residential complexes, 20%, filed the July maintenance report, and that a Mumbai suburban society was served a section 3 notice after a fire. PropNewsTimenews report
27 January 2023
Pune Pulse quotes Pune's fire chief: only 10 to 15% of the city's housing societies had completed Form B. Pune Pulsenews report

Housing society fire audit myths, checked against the law

You may have read
The Maharashtra Act orders a yearly fire inspection of every society.
Myth
What the sources say
The Act asks for Form B twice a year, in January and July, and a section 45A audit every 2 years only above 70 m. The 2015 MFS circular that advised a yearly fire risk audit says there is no obligation. MFS Act 2006 copy
You may have read
A society that misses Form B is fined up to Rs 5 lakh.
Myth
What the sources say
Section 36 sets 6 months to 3 years and a fine; where it names an amount, it is Rs 20,000 to Rs 50,000, with up to Rs 3,000 a day for a continuing offence. MFS Act 2006 copy
You may have read
NBC 2016 makes an annual society audit compulsory.
Myth
What the sources say
NBC 2016 was withdrawn on 30 April 2026 and replaced by the voluntary SP 7:2026. A society's duties come from its state's fire law. Gazette of India
You may have read
The sinking fund pays for the fire AMC.
Myth
What the sources say
Bye-law 14(c) keeps the Sinking Fund for reconstruction, structural additions and heavy repairs on a general body resolution; recurring upkeep comes from the Repairs and Maintenance Fund. MH model bye-laws 2014
You may have read
Low-rise societies below 15 m have no fire systems to maintain.
Myth
What the sources say
Schedule-I lists apartment houses below 15 m too: extinguishers, a first-aid hose reel, a 5,000 litre terrace tank and a 450 l/min terrace pump. MH Act 2023 Schedule-I
You may have read
Each flat owner files a Form B for his own flat.
Myth
What the sources say
The society, as owner, files for the building, and since July 2026 one agency keeps each system group for the entire building. MFS Form B guidelines

Where a housing society checks its agency and files its fire papers

These 7 official pages held the lists, rules and filing services a society needs on 25 October 2026.

Maharashtra
MFS license services
The licensed-agency list valid to 03.07.2028 and the suspended or blacklisted list MFS
mahafireservice.gov.in/license-services.php
Maharashtra
MFS circulars
The 7 July 2026 Form B guidelines with the covering-letter format Maharashtra Fire Services
mahafireservice.gov.in/s-circular.php
Maharashtra
MFS fire auditor page
Approved Fire and Life Safety Auditors, for towers above 70 m MFS
mahafireservice.gov.in/fire-auditor.php
Maharashtra
Model bye-laws 2014
Bye-laws 75, 140, 154 to 159: the archived copy of the official file, as the Cooperation site was down MH model bye-laws 2014
web.archive.org/web/20250808174358/https://sahakarayukta.maharashtra.gov.in/site/upload/documents/Model%20Bye%20Laws%20of%20Coop%20Housing%20Society%20New%20Flatowner%20Type%20(2-9-14).pdf
Telangana
TGFD Fire Audit module
Register and file the fire audit application (login) TGFD Fire Audit
fire.telangana.gov.in/FireAudit/FireAuditLogin.aspx
Delhi
Delhi Fire Service
Renewal of the Fire Safety Certificate, and the auditor regime from 20 May 2027 DFS
dfs.delhi.gov.in
Gujarat
GujFireSafety CoP
Appointing a Fire Safety Officer for renewal and filing Form B-15 Gujarat FSCOP
fscop.gujfiresafetycop.in

Housing society fire duties in Maharashtra, dated: 2007 to 2026

Eleven dated steps built what a Maharashtra society owes today.

5 February 2007
The 2006 Act is published; a registered co-operative housing society is an owner, its members occupiers. MFS Act 2006 copy
6 December 2008
The Act comes into force, as the MFS circular of 2015 records. MFS circular 2015
23 June 2009
The Rules prescribe Form B under rule 4(2). Rules 2009
2014
The model bye-laws add a periodical fire audit (75(c)), a fire audit register (140) and an Emergency Planning Scheme (159(b)). MH model bye-laws 2014
16 September 2015
MFS advises a fire risk audit at least once a year, without making it compulsory. MFS circular 2015
16 October 2015
MFS fixes the half-year each Form B covers. MFS circular 1600
15 February 2022
Form B must carry the agency's licence digital signature. MFS circular 236
11 May 2023
The Amendment Act substitutes Schedule-I and adds the 2-yearly audit for residential towers above 70 m. Amendment Act 2023
12 June 2025
The Amendment Rules add Form B-1 and let Form B go online, by post or by courier. Amendment Rules 2025
7 July 2026
MFS guidelines: one agency per system group, and a covering letter signed by the chairman or secretary of the society. MFS Form B guidelines
August 2026
Draft Model Bye-Laws 2026 released for comment, as reported; not confirmed final by 25 October 2026. PropNewsTimenews report

Hiring a licensed fire agency for a housing society: 5 dos and 4 don'ts

The agency signs the society's Form B, but the chairman or secretary signs the declaration under it.

Do

Find the agency on the MFS list valid to 03.07.2028, which prints 861 rows, in the class for the system it will maintain. MFS agency list
Check the suspended or blacklisted list; it held 1 agency on 25 October 2026. MFS blacklist
Write one agency per system group into the tender: water-based systems, detection and alarm, and passive measures. MFS Form B guidelines
Give 1 month's notice when changing agency, and have the new one obtain the outgoing agency's no-objection. MFS Form B guidelines
Diary the agency's licence expiry: licences run 2 years since the 2023 amendment. Amendment Act 2023

Don’t

Don't accept a Form B with a scanned signature: since 15 February 2022 it carries the digital signature on the agency's licence. MFS circular 236
Don't accept a Form B with the MFS logo or reworded text; the 2026 guidelines forbid both. MFS Form B guidelines
Don't treat the Form B agency as the section 45A auditor of a tower above 70 m: that audit needs a separately licensed Fire and Life Safety Auditor. Amendment Act 2023
Don't sign the covering letter without a committee member at the test day; it certifies tests done in the owner's presence. MFS Form B guidelines

Questions about fire audits for housing societies

Is a fire audit mandatory for a housing society in Maharashtra?: The fire Act makes every society file Form B, a Licensed Agency's maintenance certificate, in January and July, and adds a licensed Fire and Life Safety Audit every 2 years for residential towers above 70 m. Model bye-law 75(c) also asks a society that adopts it to carry out a periodical fire audit and keep its record.
Who signs Form B for a housing society?: A Licensed Agency signs the certificate itself, digitally, with the signature on its licence. The society, as owner, files it with a covering letter and declaration that the July 2026 MFS guidelines expect the chairman or secretary to sign.
How much does a fire audit cost for a housing society?: Maharashtra sets no fee for filing Form B and no price for the agency's AMC; both are agreed with the agency. The only state yardstick is Maharashtra PWD's 2018-19 estimating rate of Rs 6 per m² for a complete fire audit of a government building. Official rates exist elsewhere: in Delhi from 20 May 2027 a Level-3 auditor charges Rs 63,000 to Rs 5,00,000 per certification, Kerala charges flats above 35 m Rs 6,000 a year, and Bihar's fire service audits homes at Rs 1 per m².
Which society fund pays for fire safety maintenance?: Under the model bye-laws, the Repairs and Maintenance Fund pays for maintenance and renewals of the society's property, and the Reserve Fund may also be used. The Sinking Fund is kept for reconstruction and heavy repairs on a general body resolution.
Is the society secretary liable if Form B is not filed?: The duty sits on the society as owner. Section 38 of the 2006 Act also deems the persons in charge of an association of individuals guilty, and a secretary whose consent or neglect led to the offence. Flamekite reads that as reaching a society's committee and secretary; no court ruling was checked.
How often must a Hyderabad apartment society upload a fire audit?: Under Telangana's circular of 28 January 2020, residential buildings above 30 m and below 45 m upload a third-party certificate once a year in January, and residential buildings of 45 m every January and July.
Can the fire brigade seal a housing society?: Yes, under section 8 of the Maharashtra Act, for imminent danger: it can order occupants out, have power and water cut if they stay, and seal the building. Removing a seal is a cognizable, non-bailable offence.
Do flats in a housing society need sprinklers?: In Maharashtra, Schedule-I sprinklers the entire building, flats included, above 45 m. Below that, apartment houses need sprinklers only in a basement larger than 200 m².

Keep reading

Form B (fire)The January and July certificate: periods, documents and photographs.
Fire NOC for apartmentsThe builder's NOC, the residents' duties after handover, and buyer checks.
Fire NOC for residential buildingsThe residential height line in 32 states, and what a house below it owes.
Fire auditEvery state's fire audit duty compared.
Third-party fire auditEmpanelled auditors state by state, including the section 45A audit.
Maharashtra fire license agency listCheck an agency's class and licence before the society signs.
Fire NOC in MaharashtraProvisional and Final approval, and section 45 buildings.
Fire NOC in TelanganaThe 24 m apartment line and the Fire Audit module.

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