How do I apply for a fire NOC in Andhra Pradesh?

Online at fireservices.ap.gov.in through a Citizen Login; industries apply through the AP Single Desk Portal. Upload drawings with fire systems in red, pay Rs 10 per m² and give a 15% bank guarantee. The department's target is 3 working days for a Provisional NOC.

Which buildings need a fire NOC in Andhra Pradesh?

Every building of 24 m or more including the stilt; every educational, institutional, assembly, industrial and hazardous building; others with more than 500 m² on a floor or 300 m² of incidental assembly; and any building with 2 basements or one above 500 m².

Is the AP Fire Service (Amendment) Act 2026 in force?

Yes, from 1 December 2025, the date of the ordinance it replaced. It is reported as Act 15 of 2026, but its renewal notification, new fee rules, Qualified agency rules and supervisor order had not been published by 24 October 2026.

How long is a fire NOC valid in Andhra Pradesh?

The first occupancy NOC is for 1 year. Renewals then run 5 years for low hazard industry and schools below 30 m, 3 years for apartments of 18 m and above and moderate hazard industry, 2 years for most others, and 1 year for hazardous buildings.

What is the fire NOC fee in Andhra Pradesh?

Rs 10 per m² of total built-up area, basements and stilt included, plus a bank guarantee of 15% of the fire-system estimate for 5 years. Government hospitals are exempt from the fee.

How long does an AP fire NOC take?

The Act allows 21 days for the Provisional NOC and 30 for the Fire Safety Certificate. The department's circular of 1 September 2025 sets 3 working days and 10 working days.

Who issues a fire NOC in Vijayawada or Visakhapatnam?

The state department, not the city corporation. The District officer signs up to 10 m, the Regional Fire Officer from 10 to 15 m, and the Director General above 15 m and for every industry.

What is a Fire Safety Supervisor in Andhra Pradesh?

A person the owner of a building named by government order must appoint under section 21-A to keep fire systems working. The order naming the buildings and the qualifications had not been published by 24 October 2026.

Fire NOC by state 25 min read

Fire NOC in Andhra Pradesh after the 2026 amendment: who needs one, fees, renewal and the portal

Updated October 2026By Flamekite Editorial DeskFacts checked against official sources on 24 October 2026

Quick answer

Andhra Pradesh's amended Fire Service Act gives the department 21 days for a Provisional Fire NOC and 30 days for the final Fire Safety Certificate; a circular of 1 September 2025 cuts that to 3 working days and 10 working days. The fee is Rs 10 per m² of built-up area plus a bank guarantee of 15% of the fire-system cost for 5 years.

Since 1 December 2025 the Provisional Fire NOC covers every high-rise building (24 m or more, stilt included), every educational, institutional, assembly, industrial and hazardous building, and other occupancies with more than 500 m² on a floor or large basements. You apply online at fireservices.ap.gov.in; industries file through the Single Desk Portal. Renewal runs 1 to 5 years by occupancy.

High-rise line: 24 m; Stilt floor included, since 19 December 2025; Who needs one
Provisional NOC, by circular: 3 working days; 21 days in the Act; File route
Fire precaution fee: Rs 10 per m²; Plus a 15% bank guarantee; Fee table
Low hazard industry renewal: 5 years; Was 2 years until December 2025; Renewal table

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Andhra Pradesh fire NOC at a glance

The Andhra Pradesh fire NOC in eleven rows, each with its official source.
What	The rule	Source
Law	AP Fire Service Act, 1999 (Act 15 of 1999), section 13, as amended with effect from 1 December 2025; the AP Fire and Emergency Operations and Levy of Fee Rules, 2006	Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly
Status of the 2026 amendment	Ordinance 9 of 2025 from 1 December 2025, replaced by Bill 12 of 2026; reported enacted as Act 15 of 2026 on 2 April 2026, with no official Act copy online	TeamLease RegTechnews report
Issued by	AP State Disaster Response and Fire Services Department (APSDR&FS), head office at Governorpet, Vijayawada	AP Fire Services
Stages	Provisional Fire NOC before building permission; Fire Safety Certificate (the former occupancy NOC) after construction; renewal	Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly
High-rise building	24 m or more, stilt floor included, under the AP Building Rules as amended by G.O.Ms.No.273 of 19 December 2025	G.O.Ms.No.273
Time limits in the Act	21 days for the Provisional Fire NOC; 30 days for the Fire Safety Certificate	Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly
Time limits by circular	3 working days for a Provisional NOC (no site inspection); 10 working days for occupancy or renewal	AP circular 01.09.2025
Fee	Rs 10 per m² of total built-up area, basements and stilt included, plus a 15% bank guarantee for 5 years	AP State Disaster Response and Fire Services
Renewal	Occupancy NOC valid 1 year; renewals 1 to 5 years by occupancy under G.O.Ms.No.218 (2023) and G.O.Ms.No.178 (2025)	G.O.Ms.No.218
Apply at	fireservices.ap.gov.in (Citizen Login); industries through the AP Single Desk Portal	AP circular 01.09.2025
Emergency	Dial 101; state fire control room 9100108101	AP Fire Services

Andhra Pradesh fire law before and after the 2026 amendment

Section 13 and the penalty sections of the AP Fire Service Act, 1999, as amended in 2006 and as amended with effect from 1 December 2025.
Option	1999 Act as amended in 2006	From 1 December 2025 (Ordinance 9 of 2025, then Bill 12 of 2026)	Source
Final approval	Final No Objection Certificate; licences for fire-risk premises	Fire Safety Certificate; the word licence is replaced throughout	Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly
High-rise definition	18 m, in the Act itself	Whatever the AP Building Rules say: 24 m including stilt since 19 December 2025	Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly
Who needs a NOC	Commercial above 15 m; residential 18 m and above; schools, cinemas, function halls and religious places above 500 m² of plot or 6 m and above	All high-rises; all educational, institutional, assembly, industrial and hazardous buildings; others with more than 500 m² on a floor, more than 300 m² of incidental assembly, or 2 basements or 1 above 500 m²	Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly
Time to decide	60 days to issue or reject	21 days for the Provisional NOC; 30 days for the Fire Safety Certificate	AP Act 15 of 1999
Renewal	Licence renewed each calendar year under the 2006 Rules	Renewed periodically as the government notifies, with a prescribed fee	Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly
Who may install fire systems	Not restricted in the Act	Only Qualified agencies specified by rules; a false certificate means cancellation and prosecution	Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly
Building Fire Safety Supervisor	No such post	Section 21-A: owners of buildings named by government order must appoint one	Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly
Fines in sections 27, 28 and 29	Up to Rs 500	Up to Rs 10,000	Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly
Minimum daily fine, section 31	Rs 100 a day	Rs 1,000 a day	Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly

How to get a fire NOC in Andhra Pradesh, from plans to renewal

Classify the building against section 13(1)
Measure height from the average level of the street's centre line with the stilt floor included, and check occupancy, the largest floor area, any incidental assembly use and the basements.
Register on the department portal
Create a Citizen Login on fireservices.ap.gov.in with name, e-mail and mobile; the password comes by SMS. Industries file the same NOC through the AP Single Desk Portal.
Apply for the Provisional Fire NOC
Upload drawings with every fire system marked in red, the fire-system estimate, the Rs 10 per m² fee, a bank guarantee of 15% of that estimate for 5 years and an undertaking on Rs 100 stamp paper. The circular target is 3 working days, without a site visit.
Build, in two permits if the building is a high-rise
A high-rise may take building permission up to 24 m first and file the Fire NOC before crossing 24 m; the remaining floors are approved once it is submitted.
Apply for the Fire Safety Certificate before occupation
File the as-built details and upload photos and short videos of every system being tested. Inspection takes 5 working days and issue 5 more; no occupancy certificate may be granted without it.
Renew on time, and file the yearly compliance report
Renew after the first year at the period your occupancy carries (1 to 5 years), applying 2 months before expiry, and upload the annual fire safety compliance report on the portal.

What the AP Fire Service (Amendment) Act 2026 says about renewal

The amendment rewrote section 13 but left the renewal period to a later notification. Its renewal clause is one sentence.

Word for word

The Fire Safety Certificate issued under sub-section (3) shall be renewed periodically as notified by the government along with such fee as may be prescribed from time to time.

Section 13(4), AP Fire Service Act, 1999, as substituted by L.A. Bill No. 12 of 2026 (AP Gazette Part IV-A Extraordinary No. 12, 4 March 2026), deemed in force from 1 December 2025 Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly

Four pieces the amendment needs were not published by 24 October 2026: a renewal notification under section 13(4), new fee rules for section 13, rules naming Qualified agencies under section 19(3), and the order listing buildings that need a Building Fire Safety Supervisor under section 21-A. Until they appear, the department keeps working from the 2006 Levy of Fee Rules and its periodicity orders of 2023 and 2025, both issued before the amendment and still worded as Fire NOCs. The Bill's memorandum lists clauses 2(iv), 5, 7(3), 8 and 14 as needing notifications.

Does your Andhra Pradesh building need a Provisional Fire NOC?

New section 13(1) lists six cases. If none fits, the section does not ask for a Provisional Fire NOC; your plans still go to the sanctioning authority.

If Any building 24 m or taller, measured with the stilt floor
It is a high-rise under the AP Building Rules and needs a Provisional Fire NOC. You may take building permission up to 24 m first and file the NOC before crossing that height. G.O.Ms.No.273
If A school, college, hospital, auditorium, factory or hazardous building, of any size
Clause (b) covers all educational, institutional, assembly, industrial and hazardous buildings. The old 500 m² plot or 6 m floor that a 2018 MA&UD circular still quotes is not in the 2026 text. Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly
If A shop, office, warehouse, hostel, lodge or mixed building with more than 500 m² on any one floor
Clause (c) catches it. Residential apartment buildings are left out of this clause by name. Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly
If More than 300 m² of assembly use on one floor, such as a banquet hall or food court inside another occupancy
Clause (d) catches it, whatever the rest of the building is. Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly
If Two or more basements, or one basement above 500 m²
Clause (e) catches every occupancy, apartments included. Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly
If A residential apartment block under 24 m with none of the above
Section 13(1) does not list it (Flamekite's reading). A 2018 MA&UD circular asked for a Fire NOC above 18 m when high-rise meant 18 m; ask the District Fire Officer in writing which applies to your file. MA&UD circular 2018

Andhra Pradesh fire NOC renewal periods by occupancy

G.O.Ms.No.218 of 22 December 2023 set the table; G.O.Ms.No.178 of 17 December 2025 lengthened four rows. The first occupancy NOC is always for 1 year.

	G.O.Ms.No.218 (2023)	G.O.Ms.No.178 (2025)	Period now
Occupancy NOC, first issue G.O.Ms.No.218	1 year	Not changed	1 year
Residential, 18 m and above, other than hotels G.O.Ms.No.218	3 years	Not changed	3 years
Educational, below 30 m G.O.Ms.No.178	3 years	5 years	5 years
Other non-residential below 18 m, hotels included G.O.Ms.No.218	2 years	Not changed	2 years
Low hazard industry G.O.Ms.No.178	2 years	5 years	5 years
Moderate hazard industry G.O.Ms.No.178	2 years	3 years	3 years
High hazard industry G.O.Ms.No.178	1 year	2 years	2 years
Hazardous buildings other than industry G.O.Ms.No.218	1 year	Not changed	1 year
Any other building 18 m and above G.O.Ms.No.218	2 years	Not changed	2 years

The last column is Flamekite's reading of the two orders together: G.O.Ms.No.178 revises only the rows it names. Under G.O.Ms.No.178 an owner may choose fewer years, paying for that many annual fee cycles. Neither order is the section 13(4) notification the 2026 amendment asks for.

Andhra Pradesh fire NOC validity: how renewal works in practice

Renewal follows the department's orders, not the Act: 1 year first, then 1 to 5 years, with yearly self-reporting in between.

G.O.Ms.No.218 says the occupancy NOC is issued for one year and renewal follows after that year. The government gave its reason in the order: field officers found owners moving fire equipment from one building to another during inspections, because validity was long and many NOCs rested on the owner's own certification.

The user charges for a renewal are collected for the whole renewal period at once, and the owner must file a declaration every year that the fire systems are maintained. G.O.Ms.No.178 adds an Annual Fire Safety Compliance Report on the portal and random inspections.

NOCs issued before 22 December 2023 keep the period printed on them; the new periods apply when they expire. Before that order, G.O.Ms.No.120 of 25 October 2021 had NOCs of all categories issued for 5 years; G.O.Ms.No.218 superseded it.

Apply at least 2 months before expiry: rule 21 of the 2006 Rules renews a late application only with 25% more fee. Flamekite found no notification under the amended section 13(4) by 24 October 2026, so the 2023 and 2025 orders are what the department applies.

The validity rules in force, by instrument
What	The rule	Source
G.O.Ms.No.218, 22 December 2023	Occupancy NOC 1 year; renewal table by occupancy; annual declaration	G.O.Ms.No.218
G.O.Ms.No.178, 17 December 2025	5, 3 and 2 years for low, moderate and high hazard industry; 5 years for schools below 30 m	G.O.Ms.No.178
Levy of Fee Rules 2006, rule 21	Apply 2 months before expiry, or pay 25% extra	AP State Disaster Response and Fire Services
G.O.Ms.No.146, 30 December 2021	Records the 5-year period then in force under G.O.Ms.No.120 of 25 October 2021	G.O.Ms.No.146

Andhra Pradesh fire NOC fees, bank guarantee and inspection charges

The 2006 Rules set Rs 10 per m² and a 15% bank guarantee; G.O.s of 2010 and 2015 add inspection charges. No new fee rules under the 2026 amendment were found.

As published

Fire precaution feeRs 10 per m²Non-refundable; total built-up area of all floors, basements and stilt included (rule 15(1)(c)) AP State Disaster Response and Fire Services
Bank guarantee15% of the fire-system estimateOn a nationalised bank, for 5 years; the Director General may invoke it if systems are not provided or maintained AP State Disaster Response and Fire Services
UndertakingRs 100 stamp paperForm 17, filed with the Provisional NOC application AP State Disaster Response and Fire Services
Second and later inspections on revised drawings5% of statutory fee, max Rs 25,000On each occasion G.O.Ms.No.71
Inspection for a revised NOC10% of statutory fee, max Rs 50,000 G.O.Ms.No.71
Inspection for the occupancy NOC10% of statutory fee, max Rs 50,000 G.O.Ms.No.71
Inspection for renewal50% or 25% of statutory fee50% where the building came under rule 15, 25% otherwise; replaced a flat Rs 10,000 in 2015 G.O.Ms.No.140
Inspection on a complaintRs 2,500 G.O.Ms.No.71
Mock drill in a non-government high-rise or hazardous premisesRs 5,000 G.O.Ms.No.71
Late renewal25% on topIf not applied for 2 months before expiry (rule 21) AP State Disaster Response and Fire Services
Government hospital buildingsRs 0 fire precaution feeExempt for all categories of NOC since 30 December 2021 G.O.Ms.No.146

A real AP figure: for AIIMS Mangalagiri the department asked Rs 9,07,695 as fire precaution fee and a bank guarantee of Rs 1,37,20,305 before the government waived both in G.O.Rt.No.452 of 17 August 2017. By Flamekite's arithmetic that is about 90,770 m² and a fire-system estimate of about Rs 9.15 crore.

Five Andhra Pradesh buildings under the 2025 and 2026 rules

Worked examples by Flamekite from the Act, the G.O.s and the delegation circular. Heights include the stilt floor.

Case 1
30 m apartment tower in Visakhapatnam
Residential apartments, stilt plus 9 floors, built-up area 12,000 m².
What applies A high-rise, so it needs a Provisional NOC; building permission can come up to 24 m first. Fee 12,000 x Rs 10 = Rs 1,20,000; the Director General issues; renewal every 3 years after the first year. G.O.Ms.No.273
Case 2
21 m apartment block in Vijayawada
Residential apartments, one 400 m² basement, no assembly use.
What applies Below 24 m, apartments are outside clause (c) and one basement under 500 m² misses clause (e): section 13(1) does not list it. Confirm in writing, because the 2018 MA&UD circular still speaks of 18 m. Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly
Case 3
18 m office building, 6,000 m²
Business occupancy in Vijayawada with a Rs 50 lakh fire system.
What applies Needs a Provisional NOC (more than 500 m² a floor). Fee Rs 60,000, bank guarantee Rs 7.5 lakh; renewal every 2 years, with a renewal inspection charge of 50% of the fee, Rs 30,000. G.O.Ms.No.140
Case 4
Low hazard factory near Visakhapatnam
Industrial unit applying through the Single Desk Portal.
What applies Provisional NOC without inspection, issued by the Director General; occupancy inspected by the District and Station Fire Officers; renewal up to 5 years, or fewer if the owner chooses and pays pro rata. G.O.Ms.No.178
Case 5
12 m private school, ground plus 3
Educational occupancy on a 450 m² plot.
What applies Clause (b) covers every educational building. Above 10 m and below 15 m the Regional Fire Officer issues it; renewal every 5 years (schools below 30 m). AP circular 01.09.2025

How an Andhra Pradesh fire NOC file moves, in working days

The circular of 1 September 2025 sets who inspects, who signs and how long each stage takes. It cancelled the delegation memos of 2020, 2023 and 2024.

1. Online application
Every application goes through fireservices.ap.gov.in; manual applications are refused unless they come through a District Collector. AP circular 01.09.2025
2. Provisional NOC: desk scrutiny only
No site inspection at this stage; scrutiny and issue within 3 working days. AP circular 01.09.2025
3. Who signs, by height
Up to 10 m or 3 floors: District Disaster Response and Fire Officer. Above 10 m and below 15 m: Regional Fire Officer. 15 m or 6 floors and above, and all industries: Director General. AP circular 01.09.2025
4. Occupancy or renewal inspection
Station or Assistant District Fire Officers inspect, joined by the District and Regional officers for taller and higher-hazard buildings: 5 working days to inspect, 5 to issue. AP circular 01.09.2025
5. Evidence on the portal
Photos and short videos of every fire system being tested are uploaded to the file's workflow page. AP circular 01.09.2025
6. Random audit
The next level up re-checks at least 10% of NOCs issued or rejected below it. AP circular 01.09.2025

Fire NOC in Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam: who does what

Neither city has its own fire brigade: the state department issues every fire NOC. Five bodies touch a city file.

Issues the NOC
APSDR&FS head office, Vijayawada
The Director General's office at Governorpet signs NOCs for buildings of 15 m and above and for all industries. AP Fire Services
Vijayawada region
Regional Fire Officer, Rajamahendravaram
Region II covers Krishna and NTR districts, so Vijayawada files between 10 and 15 m are signed at Rajamahendravaram. AP Fire Services
Visakhapatnam region
Regional Fire Officer, Visakhapatnam
Region I covers Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli and 5 other northern districts. AP Fire Services
City portal
GVMC Fire NOC registration
GVMC's citizen site carries Provisional, Final, Renewal and Temporary Fire NOC registration screens. Whether they feed the department's system is not published. GVMC
Plan approval
APDPMS
Building permission runs on APDPMS, linked from the fire department's home page; under the Act the permit cannot issue without the Provisional NOC where one is needed. AP Fire Services

Andhra Pradesh fire NOC time limits and fire figures

The Act's limits, the circular's faster ones, and what the department's own statistics show for 2025-26.

21 days
Statutory limit for a Provisional Fire NOC, section 13(2) Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly
30 days
Statutory limit for a Fire Safety Certificate, section 13(3) Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly
10 working days
Circular limit for an occupancy or renewal NOC AP circular 01.09.2025
180
Fire stations in the state, per the department AP Fire Services
12,033
Fire and emergency calls attended in 2025-26 AP Fire Services
82
Lives lost in fires in 2025-26 (545 more in rescue calls) AP Fire Services
52 %
Share of the state reachable within a 15-minute response, per the department's GIS note AP Fire Services

Andhra Pradesh fire NOC online: the official portals

Mee Seva stopped taking fire NOC applications in 2017, and since 1 September 2025 manual files are refused. These are the official addresses.

Apply
AP Fire Services, Citizen Login
Register with name, e-mail and mobile (the password comes by SMS), then file Provisional, occupancy and renewal applications and track them. AP user manual
fireservices.ap.gov.in
NOC system
Apply for Fire NOC link
The NOC application system linked from the home page. It did not connect from outside on 24 October 2026; use the home page link. AP Fire Services
stgfireservices.ap.gov.in/noc
Industries
AP Single Desk Portal
Industry fire NOCs, Provisional, occupancy and renewal. Address as given in the department's 2017 memo. AP Fire Services
apindustries.gov.in/APIndus/Default.aspx
Plans
APDPMS
Building permission and occupancy certificates; the Fire NOC is produced here for high-rises before 24 m. AP Fire Services
portal.apdpms.ap.gov.in
Visakhapatnam
GVMC citizen services
Fire NOC registration screens for Visakhapatnam. GVMC
www.gvmc.gov.in
Rules
G.O.s and circulars
The department's list of 65 orders and circulars, including every G.O. on this page. AP Fire Services
fireservices.ap.gov.in/Fire/fire_rules_circulars

Documents for an Andhra Pradesh Provisional NOC and Fire Safety Certificate

Rule 15 of the 2006 Rules lists the papers; the 2023 to 2025 orders add the evidence officers now want uploaded.

Site plan, cellar plan, ground floor plan, typical floor plan, sectional elevation and terrace plan, with every fire system marked in red AP State Disaster Response and Fire Services
An estimate of the fire safety systems, which sets the 15% bank guarantee AP State Disaster Response and Fire Services
Bank guarantee on a nationalised bank for 5 years, and the fee paid at Rs 10 per m² AP State Disaster Response and Fire Services
Undertaking on Rs 100 stamp paper in Form 17 AP State Disaster Response and Fire Services
For the final stage: as-built drawings certified by an architect and an engineer, with electrical drawings and equipment specifications AP State Disaster Response and Fire Services
Photos and short videos of each system under test, uploaded to the portal AP circular 01.09.2025
For a high-rise taking phased permission: the building permission granted up to 24 m G.O.Ms.No.273
Every year after occupancy: the maintenance declaration and the Annual Fire Safety Compliance Report G.O.Ms.No.178

Andhra Pradesh fire NOC penalties after the 2026 amendment

The amendment multiplied the small fines by 20 and the minimum daily fine by 10. The larger ceilings in sections 30 and 31 did not change.

Offence	Penalty	Law
Failing to comply with a fire precaution notification or direction	Fine up to Rs 10,000 (was Rs 500)	Section 27 Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly
Obstructing fire-fighting	Up to 3 months, or up to Rs 10,000, or both	Section 28 Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly
A false fire report	Up to 3 months, or up to Rs 10,000, or both	Section 29 Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly
Not taking out a licence, now a Fire Safety Certificate, after a show-cause notice	Up to 3 months, or up to Rs 5,000, or both	Section 30 AP Act 15 of 1999
Wilfully breaking the Act or the rules, or ignoring a requisition	Up to 3 months, or up to Rs 25,000, or both; up to Rs 3,000 a day if it continues; at least Rs 5,000, or Rs 1,000 a day, unless the court records reasons	Section 31 Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly
A Qualified agency's false or incorrect certificate	Certificate cancelled and criminal prosecution	Section 19(3) Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly
Building permission or occupancy certificate without the NOC or certificate	The authority may not grant it	Section 13(5) Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly

The pre-2026 amounts were proof-read from the department's copy of the 1999 Act; the new amounts are from the Bill's text, deemed in force from 1 December 2025.

Andhra Pradesh fire NOC mistakes that cost owners time or money

Each of these traces to a line in an AP order or rule.

If Measuring height without the stilt floor
G.O.Ms.No.273 counts the stilt: a stilt plus 7 floors can cross 24 m and become a high-rise. G.O.Ms.No.273
If Leaving basements and stilts out of the fee area
The Rs 10 per m² is on the total built-up area of all floors, basements and stilt included. AP State Disaster Response and Fire Services
If Installing pumps through an unlisted contractor
Section 19(3) reserves the work for Qualified agencies; the department invited certified installers to apply for empanelment until 31 December 2025. AP agency empanelment
If Borrowing equipment for the inspection day
This is the practice G.O.Ms.No.218 names as the reason for 1-year occupancy NOCs; the yearly declaration and random checks follow. G.O.Ms.No.218
If Reading Telangana's 24 m rule as Andhra Pradesh's
Telangana's change is a fire department circular for apartments; AP's comes from the Building Rules definition and the 2026 Act. See the Telangana page. G.O.Ms.No.273

Andhra Pradesh fire NOC myths checked against the orders

Common claims about AP fire NOCs, and what the department's own documents say.

You may have read
"An AP fire NOC is valid for 5 years."
Myth
What the sources say
Only for some occupancies. The first occupancy NOC is for 1 year; 5 years now applies to low hazard industry and schools below 30 m. G.O.Ms.No.178
You may have read
"The District Fire Officer approves up to 15 m and the Director General above."
Myth
What the sources say
Out of date. Since 1 September 2025 the District officer signs up to 10 m, the Regional Fire Officer from 10 to 15 m, the Director General above. AP circular 01.09.2025
You may have read
"No NOC is needed for a building under 24 m."
Myth
What the sources say
Every educational, institutional, assembly, industrial and hazardous building needs one, at any height. Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly
You may have read
"The Fire Safety Certificate came with new fees."
Myth
What the sources say
No fee rules under the 2026 amendment were found; the department's rules page still lists the 2006 Levy of Fee Rules (G.O.306) and its Rs 10 per m². AP Fire Services
You may have read
"A NOC issued with plunger pumps in 2022 is safe."
Myth
What the sources say
G.O.Ms.No.44 annulled those notifications, and the government asked the department to review 5,688 NOCs issued under them. Govt memo on PIL 97

Andhra Pradesh plunger-pump NOCs: what holders should do

Six gazettes of 2022 let NOCs issue with 2, 5 or 10 HP plunger pumps. After their annulment and a High Court PIL, the department sent notices on 2 September 2025.

Do

Reply within 30 days of the notice, stating whether the building meets the 1999 Act. AP Fire Services
If compliant, send photos of the fire equipment to ho.apfire@gmail.com. AP clarification 2025
If not, list what is installed and ask for time; the department said NOCs will not be cancelled without due procedure. AP clarification 2025
Plan for NBC fire pumps of 1,620, 2,280 or 2,850 LPM, the sizes G.O.Ms.No.44 contrasts with plunger pumps. G.O.Ms.No.44

Don’t

Don't use a middleman: the department's press note says no mediator is needed and gives 9441236448. AP Fire Services
Don't treat a 2022 NOC as settled: the government asked for each to be reviewed and, if contrary to the NBC, cancelled or amended. Govt memo on PIL 97
Don't ignore the notice: a revised NOC is issued only after the department considers your reply. AP Fire Services

How Andhra Pradesh's fire NOC rules changed, 1999 to 2025

Before 2014 these orders covered Hyderabad too; Telangana kept the 1999 Act and went its own way after the split.

11 June 1999
The AP Fire Service Act, 1999 is published; section 13 gives the department 60 days to decide a NOC. AP Act 15 of 1999
1 February 2001 (effect)
Act 21 of 2006 raises the high-rise line to 18 m and sets the 15 m, 18 m and 500 m² or 6 m triggers. AP Act 15 of 1999
7 December 2006
G.O.Ms.No.306 makes the Levy of Fee Rules: Rs 10 per m² and the 15% bank guarantee. AP State Disaster Response and Fire Services
1 April 2010
G.O.Ms.No.71 introduces inspection user charges. G.O.Ms.No.71
4 September 2015
G.O.Ms.No.140 ties the renewal charge to 50% or 25% of the statutory fee. G.O.Ms.No.140
1 July 2017
NOC applications through Mee Seva stop; the department's online system takes over. AP Fire Services
8 March 2018
Industry Provisional NOCs are cut from 21 days to 7 working days. AP Fire Services
14 May 2019
G.O.Ms.No.75 lets the Director General authorise third-party inspections for the Provisional NOC. G.O.Ms.No.75
9 August 2020
Fire at Hotel Swarna Palace, Vijayawada, a COVID-19 care centre: officials were reported saying it had no NOC. Wikipedianews report
January to October 2022
Six gazette notifications allow plunger pumps and decentralised fire safety. G.O.Ms.No.44
22 December 2023
G.O.Ms.No.218 cuts the occupancy NOC to 1 year and sets the renewal table. G.O.Ms.No.218
12 March 2024
G.O.Ms.No.44 annuls the six 2022 notifications. G.O.Ms.No.44
1 September 2025
New delegation: 3 working days for a Provisional NOC, 10 for occupancy or renewal. AP circular 01.09.2025
1 December 2025
Ordinance 9 of 2025, promulgated on 28 November, rewrites section 13. AP Ordinance 9/2025
17 and 19 December 2025
G.O.Ms.No.178 lengthens industrial and school renewals; G.O.Ms.No.273 moves the high-rise line to 24 m. G.O.Ms.No.273

Andhra Pradesh fire NOC news in 2026

From news reports, not yet an official source.

The amendment is in force from 1 December 2025 and reported enacted as Act 15 of 2026; its renewal notification, fee rules, Qualified agency rules and supervisor order were not published by 24 October 2026.

29 July 2026
PTI reports G.O.Ms.No.161 amending the Building Rules: buildings of 24 m or more, stilt included, are high-rises, and construction may reach 24 m before the final Fire NOC is needed. PTInews report
29 June 2026
The department extends applications for empanelment as Third-party Fire Audit Agencies for renewals to 15 July 2026, with a Rs 5,000 fee, interview and training. AP audit empanelment
8 May 2026
G.O.Ms.No.95 (Industries) asks APIIC and park developers to build common fire mains, hydrants at most 60 m apart and pump houses, and lets the fire department approve units outside parks on pooled resources. G.O.Ms.No.95 (I&C)
2 April 2026
A compliance tracker reports the Fire Service (Amendment) Act issued as Act 15 of 2026, deemed in force from 1 December 2025. TeamLease RegTechnews report
4 March 2026
Bill 12 of 2026 is introduced in the Assembly to replace the ordinance, signed by Home Minister Anitha Vangalapudi. Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly

Andhra Pradesh fire NOC terms, from Provisional NOC to supervisor

The words in the amended Act and the department's orders, as they define them.

Provisional Fire NOC: The plan-stage approval under section 13(1), due in 21 days by law and 3 working days by circular. Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly
Fire Safety Certificate: The final certificate after construction and inspection, due in 30 days; it replaces the word licence in the Act. Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly
High-rise building: 24 m or more including the stilt, measured from the average level of the street's centre line; lift and stair rooms excluded. G.O.Ms.No.273
Qualified agency: A person or firm with a recognised degree in fire, civil, mechanical, industrial safety, disaster management or chemical science, the only one allowed to install fire systems. Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly
Building Fire Safety Supervisor: The person an owner must appoint under section 21-A in buildings the government names, to keep fire systems working. Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly
DGFS, RFO, DDRFO, ADFO, SFO: Director General of Fire Services, Regional Fire Officer, District Disaster Response and Fire Officer, Assistant District Fire Officer, Station Fire Officer: the 5 levels that sign or inspect. AP circular 01.09.2025
SDP: The Single Desk Portal through which every industry files its fire NOC. AP circular 01.09.2025
Third-party Fire Audit Agency: An agency empanelled to audit buildings for renewal; B.E. Fire, the NFSC Divisional Officers' Course, or a science or engineering degree with department training. AP audit empanelment

Andhra Pradesh fire offices for Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam

Numbers as the department published them on 24 October 2026. In an emergency, dial 101.

Office of the Director General, APSDR&FS AP Fire Services
Head office; e-mail peshi_apfire@yahoo.com
Address
Near Police Control Room, Governorpet, Vijayawada 520002
Phone
0866-2570101
Website
fireservices.ap.gov.in
State fire control room AP Fire Services
Emergencies and control
Phone
9100108101
Director General's grievance line AP Fire Services
Complaints and NOC notices; connectdgfire@gmail.com
Phone
9441236448
Regional Fire Officer, Region I, Visakhapatnam AP Fire Services
D. Niranjan Reddy; 7 northern districts
Phone
9177504442
Regional Fire Officer, Region II, Rajamahendravaram AP Fire Services
E. Swamy; covers Krishna and NTR (Vijayawada)
Phone
9492923004
Vijayawada Fire Station AP Fire Services
Address
Near Police Control Room, Vijayawada 520002
Phone
0866-2577699
Visakhapatnam Fire Station AP Fire Services
Address
D.No. 32-26-64, near CP Office, Surya Bagh, Visakhapatnam 530020
Phone
0891-2563582

Questions about fire NOC in Andhra Pradesh

How do I apply for a fire NOC in Andhra Pradesh?: Online at fireservices.ap.gov.in through a Citizen Login; industries apply through the AP Single Desk Portal. Upload drawings with fire systems in red, pay Rs 10 per m² and give a 15% bank guarantee. The department's target is 3 working days for a Provisional NOC.
Which buildings need a fire NOC in Andhra Pradesh?: Every building of 24 m or more including the stilt; every educational, institutional, assembly, industrial and hazardous building; others with more than 500 m² on a floor or 300 m² of incidental assembly; and any building with 2 basements or one above 500 m².
Is the AP Fire Service (Amendment) Act 2026 in force?: Yes, from 1 December 2025, the date of the ordinance it replaced. It is reported as Act 15 of 2026, but its renewal notification, new fee rules, Qualified agency rules and supervisor order had not been published by 24 October 2026.
How long is a fire NOC valid in Andhra Pradesh?: The first occupancy NOC is for 1 year. Renewals then run 5 years for low hazard industry and schools below 30 m, 3 years for apartments of 18 m and above and moderate hazard industry, 2 years for most others, and 1 year for hazardous buildings.
What is the fire NOC fee in Andhra Pradesh?: Rs 10 per m² of total built-up area, basements and stilt included, plus a bank guarantee of 15% of the fire-system estimate for 5 years. Government hospitals are exempt from the fee.
How long does an AP fire NOC take?: The Act allows 21 days for the Provisional NOC and 30 for the Fire Safety Certificate. The department's circular of 1 September 2025 sets 3 working days and 10 working days.
Who issues a fire NOC in Vijayawada or Visakhapatnam?: The state department, not the city corporation. The District officer signs up to 10 m, the Regional Fire Officer from 10 to 15 m, and the Director General above 15 m and for every industry.
What is a Fire Safety Supervisor in Andhra Pradesh?: A person the owner of a building named by government order must appoint under section 21-A to keep fire systems working. The order naming the buildings and the qualifications had not been published by 24 October 2026.

Keep reading

Fire NOC in TelanganaThe same 1999 Act, a different 24 m rule and its own fee orders.
Do I need a fire NOC? CheckerRun your building through the thresholds in two minutes.
Fire NOC renewal date calculatorCount back AP's 2-month window and set a reminder.
Fire NOC validity by stateHow AP's 1 to 5 year periods compare across India.
Fire NOC fees by stateAP's Rs 10 per m² and 15% guarantee beside other states.
Fire NOC in Tamil NaduThe southern neighbour's rules and portal.
Fire NOC in KarnatakaKarnataka's high-rise NOC and fees.
Fire NOC in OdishaThe coastal neighbour to the north.

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