Who issues fire NOC in Tamil Nadu?

Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services. The Director clears buildings of 18.3 m and above, or with more than 1 basement, within 30 days; a District Officer clears lower buildings within 15 days.

Is there a fee for fire NOC in Tamil Nadu?

No. The Tamil Nadu Single Window Portal's TNFRS sheets say "No fees collected" for the NOC and the fire licence, for buildings both below and above 18.3 m. The 2025 Act will let rules set fees once it starts.

What is the validity of a fire licence in Tamil Nadu?

The 1985 Act and 1990 Rules set no term. A TNFRS licence issued in Chengalpattu on 30 December 2022 says it is valid for 1 year from issue. Under the 2025 Act a Category B certificate will last 3 years.

Has the Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services Act 2025 come into force?

Not as of 24 October 2026. It was gazetted on 6 June 2025 and starts on a date the Government notifies, and no notification was found. The 1985 Act still governs fire licences.

Which buildings need a fire NOC in Tamil Nadu?

Every building over 18.30 m, plus public buildings, malls, cinemas, kalyana mandapams, community halls, industries, warehouses and premises handling crackers or explosives, at any height, under TNCDBR rule 64(3) and the DTCP checklist.

How do I apply for fire NOC online in Tamil Nadu?

On the Tamil Nadu Single Window Portal, which the TNFRS website links as NOC/Fire License. Building-plan NOCs for GCC, CMDA and DTCP also run inside onlineppa. Upload ownership papers and plans certified by a panel engineer.

What is an MSB in Tamil Nadu fire rules?

A Multi Storied Building: 18.3 m or taller in the TNSWP sheets. Its NOC, compliance certificate and fire licence are all decided by the TNFRS Director in Chennai.

What are Category A, B and C buildings in Tamil Nadu?

The classes in section 26 of the 2025 Act: A needs a TNFRS fire licence, B a 3-year fire safety certificate from an empanelled audit agency, and C a self-certified protocol renewed every 3 years. The rules that sort buildings into them are not yet made.

Fire NOC by state 25 min read

Fire NOC in Tamil Nadu: the TNFRS NOC and fire licence explained

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

Quick answer

In Tamil Nadu the TNFRS Director clears buildings of 18.3 m and above in 30 days, a District Officer the rest in 15. TNSWP says no fees are collected.

Today the Tamil Nadu Fire Service Act, 1985 governs: a planning-stage NOC, then a fire licence before occupation, applied for on the Tamil Nadu Single Window Portal. The Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services Act, 2025 (Act 37 of 2025) replaces it with Category A, B and C buildings, but only from a date the Government has not yet notified.

Director signs at: 18.3 m; District Officer below that height; Who signs, and how fast
TNFRS fee: No fees collected; For both NOCs and both fire licences; Fees line by line
Fire licence term today: 1 year; As written on a 2022 TNFRS licence; no statutory term found; Today against the 2025 Act
Top fine, 1985 Act: ₹500; ₹50,000 once the 2025 Act starts; Penalty ladder

Free fire NOC check

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Tamil Nadu fire NOC at a glance

The Tamil Nadu fire NOC in 12 facts, each with its source. Last verified October 2026.
What	The rule	Source
Issuing department	Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services (TNFRS), under the Home, Prohibition and Excise Department, headed by a DGP-rank Director	TNFRS
Law in force	Tamil Nadu Fire Service Act, 1985 (Tamil Nadu Act 40 of 1985), assented on 1 August 1985	TN Act 40 of 1985
What the licence rests on	Section 13 of the 1985 Act and Appendix III of the Tamil Nadu Fire Service Rules, 1990	TNFRS licence
Law waiting to start	Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services Act, 2025 (Act 37 of 2025), gazetted 6 June 2025; no commencement notification found	Government of Tamil Nadu, Gazette Extraordinary No. 263, 6 June 2025
Its 2026 amendment	Act 16 of 2026, issued 15 September 2026, removes the National Building Code definitions and ties measures to TNCDBR 2019	TeamLease RegTechnews report
High-rise line	18.3 m: the Director clears Multi Storied Buildings, the District Officer the rest	TNSWP
Two stages	A No Objection Certificate with the building plan, then a fire licence before occupation	TNSWP
Decision time	15 days below 18.3 m, 30 days at 18.3 m and above, from receipt of the application	TNSWP
Fee	No fees collected, per the TNSWP sheets for both NOCs and both fire licences	TNSWP
Where to apply	Tamil Nadu Single Window Portal (TNSWP); plan-stage NOCs also run inside onlineppa	onlineppa
Building rules	Tamil Nadu Combined Development and Building Rules, 2019 (G.O. Ms. No. 18, 4 February 2019)	TNCDBR 2019
Fire calls in 2025	23,043 across the state, 99 of them serious	TNFRS

Tamil Nadu fire licence today and after the 2025 Act starts

The regime in force on 24 October 2026 against Act 37 of 2025 once the Government notifies its start under section 1(3).
Option	Today: 1985 Act and the TNSWP procedure	After commencement: Act 37 of 2025	Source
Legal basis	Section 13 of the Tamil Nadu Fire Service Act, 1985	Sections 26 to 30 of the Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services Act, 2025	TNFRS licence
Who needs what	A plan-stage NOC, then a fire licence before occupation	Category A: fire licence; Category B: fire safety certificate; Category C: self-certified protocol, all before occupation	Government of Tamil Nadu, Gazette Extraordinary No. 263, 6 June 2025
How a building is classed	By height: Multi Storied at 18.3 m, or more than 1 basement	Category A, B or C "in such manner as may be prescribed"; no rules found	Government of Tamil Nadu, Gazette Extraordinary No. 263, 6 June 2025
Who certifies	TNFRS officers: the Director or a District Officer	TNFRS for Category A; an empanelled Fire Safety Audit Agency for Category B; the portal itself for Category C	Government of Tamil Nadu, Gazette Extraordinary No. 263, 6 June 2025
Validity	No term in the Act or Rules; a 2022 licence says valid for 1 year from issue	Category B: 3 years; Category C: reapply every 3 years; Category A: as prescribed	TNFRS licence
Fee	No fees collected, per TNSWP	Such fee as may be prescribed under sections 27(2), 28(2) and 30(3)	TNSWP
Missed deadline	TNSWP sets 15 or 30 days; no deemed licence in the 1985 Act	Escalation to a higher officer, then a deemed licence auto-generated online (section 27(5))	Government of Tamil Nadu, Gazette Extraordinary No. 263, 6 June 2025
Existing buildings	Renew the current licence on TNSWP	Apply by expiry of the 1985-Act licence or within 180 days of commencement, whichever is later	Government of Tamil Nadu, Gazette Extraordinary No. 263, 6 June 2025
Events and pandals	No pandal or event licence in the 1985 Act	Temporary fire licence for shows, exhibitions, carnivals and festivals (section 30); pandal erectors self-declare (section 24)	Government of Tamil Nadu, Gazette Extraordinary No. 263, 6 June 2025

How to get a fire NOC and fire licence in Tamil Nadu

Measure the building against 18.3 m and count basements
A building of 18.3 m or more, or with more than 1 basement, goes to the TNFRS Director; anything lower goes to the District Officer of your fire district.
Check whether your plan needs a fire NOC at all
For a non-high-rise, DTCP asks for one only for public buildings, malls, cinemas, kalyana mandapams, community halls, industries, warehouses and premises handling crackers or explosives. Every high-rise needs the Director's NOC.
Apply for the NOC on TNSWP or inside onlineppa
Upload land ownership papers, the proposed building plan (site, topo, elevation, typical floor, section) and a fire plan, each certified by a local-body panel engineer.
Host the TNFRS inspection
The officer reviews the file within 7 days, an Assistant District Officer, Station Officer or zonal Joint Director inspects, and the report goes online within 48 hours.
Receive the digitally signed NOC
The District Officer decides within 15 days, the Director within 30. A rejection must record reasons, and every step sends an SMS.
Build, then take the MSB compliance certificate
For a Multi Storied Building, TNFRS inspects the finished fire systems and issues a compliance certificate. The completion certificate under TNCDBR rule 20(7)(c) needs the TNFRS certificate first.
Apply for the fire licence before occupation
File the NOC (or compliance certificate), your sale deed or lease, and the approved plan. Renew it before it lapses; a 2022 licence ran for 1 year.

What section 26 of Tamil Nadu's 2025 fire Act requires

One sentence in Act 37 of 2025 will replace the fire licence most owners know with three routes. It has no force until the Government notifies a start date.

Word for word

The owner or occupier of the building, as the case may be, shall, prior to the occupation of the building, obtain a fire licence for Category A buildings or a fire safety certificate for Category B buildings or a self-certified fire safety protocol for Category C buildings and shall renew the fire licence or fire safety certificate or self-certified fire safety protocol, as the case may be, within the time as may be prescribed.

Section 26(2), Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services Act, 2025 (Tamil Nadu Act No. 37 of 2025), Tamil Nadu Government Gazette Extraordinary No. 263, Part IV Section 2, 6 June 2025 Government of Tamil Nadu, Gazette Extraordinary No. 263, 6 June 2025

Section 26(1) leaves the test for Category A, B or C to rules, and none had been published by 24 October 2026. Section 1(3) starts the Act on a notified date; until then section 70's repeal of the 1985 Act does not operate, and TNFRS still issues licences under section 13 of the 1985 Act.

Director or District Officer: who signs a Tamil Nadu fire NOC

Height decides the officer and the clock. The 18.3 m line comes from TNCDBR 2019; the timelines are TNSWP's.

	Who decides	Decision time	Inspected by	Fee
NOC, below 18.3 m (non-MSB) TNSWP	District Officer	15 days from receipt	Assistant District Officer or Station Officer	No fees collected
NOC, 18.3 m and above (MSB) TNSWP	Director, TNFRS	30 days from receipt	Zonal Joint or Deputy Director, within 15 days	No fees collected
More than 1 basement, any height Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services	Director, TNFRS	30 days	Zonal Joint or Deputy Director	No fees collected
Compliance certificate, MSB TNSWP	Director, TNFRS	Not stated	Regional Joint or Deputy Director team	Not applicable
Fire licence, below 18.3 m TNSWP	District Officer	15 days from receipt	Assistant District Officer or Station Officer	No fees collected
Fire licence, 18.3 m and above TNSWP	Director, TNFRS	30 days from receipt	Zonal Joint or Deputy Director	No fees collected

Each sheet adds a 7-day first review and a 48-hour deadline for uploading the inspection report. TNSWP writes the MSB line as "18.3m and above"; TNCDBR rule 2(58) defines a high-rise as "exceeding 18.30m" and the TNFRS procedure page says "above 18.3 m", so a building of exactly 18.3 m should confirm its officer with TNFRS.

Does your Tamil Nadu building need a TNFRS fire NOC?

Find the line that matches your premises. TNCDBR rule 64(3) and the TNSWP sheets set who must apply.

If Your building is over 18.30 m, such as a 20 m apartment block
Yes. Rule 39(11)(iii) needs the Director's NOC before planning permission, and a compliance certificate and fire licence follow. TNCDBR 2019
If It is a mall, cinema, kalyana mandapam, community hall, industry or warehouse below 18.3 m
Yes. DTCP asks for a Fire Service NOC for these uses at any height, and the District Officer issues it. TNSWP
If You trade or store fire crackers or explosives
Yes. Rule 64(3) puts commercial buildings handling explosives, crackers and similar materials under fire protection rules. TNCDBR 2019
If You need a trade licence from Greater Chennai Corporation
Larger trades go to a committee of Health, Police, Fire and TNPCB; outside Chennai the municipal trade licence lists a Fire NOC if applicable. TNSWP
If Your house is below 18.3 m and none of those uses
The DTCP list does not call for a Fire Service NOC, though TNCDBR rule 64(1) still asks every building to be designed for fire safety. TNSWP
If You are organising a show, exhibition or festival
No event licence exists under the 1985 Act. Once the 2025 Act starts, section 30 requires a temporary fire licence. Government of Tamil Nadu, Gazette Extraordinary No. 263, 6 June 2025
If Your old licence is about to expire
Renew it on TNSWP under the 1985 regime now; the 180-day transition in the 2025 Act has not begun. Validity, all states TNSWP

The six Tamil Nadu instruments behind a fire NOC

Three are in force today, one awaits commencement, one amends that waiting Act, and one changed Chennai's high-rise scrutiny in 2026.

In force
Tamil Nadu Fire Service Act, 1985 (Act 40 of 1985)
30 sections. Section 13 lets the Government notify precautions for risky premises; TNFRS issues its fire licence under it. Section 15 fines a breach up to ₹500. TN Act 40 of 1985
In force
Tamil Nadu Fire Service Rules, 1990
Made by G.O. Ms. No. 1015, Home, 16 May 1990. Appendix III is the licence application, Appendix IV the licence, and Appendix II a 15, 30 or 90 day defaulter notice. Indian Kanoonnews report
In force
TNCDBR 2019 (G.O. Ms. No. 18)
Defines a high-rise as over 18.30 m, requires the Director's NOC for high-rises in rule 39(11)(iii), and lists the uses that need fire protection in rule 64(3). TNCDBR 2019
Awaits commencement
Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services Act, 2025 (Act 37 of 2025)
Introduced as L.A. Bill 13 of 2025 on 28 April 2025 and gazetted on 6 June 2025. 70 sections, with Category A, B and C buildings and a deemed online licence. TN Gazette
15 September 2026
Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services (Amendment) Act, 2026 (Act 16 of 2026)
Omits clauses (c) and (n) of section 2, which defined bye-laws and the National Building Code, and ties section 31(1) to TNCDBR 2019, OISD guidelines and the Petroleum and Explosives Acts. TeamLease RegTechnews report
15 June 2026
G.O. Ms. No. 126, Housing and Urban Development
Substitutes TNCDBR rule 39(25): a 12-member panel chaired by the CMDA Member Secretary, with the Director of Fire and Rescue Services as member, scrutinises every high-rise plan in the Chennai Metropolitan Area. TN Gazette

Tamil Nadu fire law and TNFRS from 1908 to 2026

A city fire brigade became a state service, and a 1985 Act has waited more than a year for its replacement to start.

1908
The Madras Fire Brigade starts as a small city unit under the Commissioner of Police, Madras. TNFRS
1945
The service has grown to 55 fire stations. TNFRS
1967
The Fire Service Department is carved out of the Police Department. TNFRS
1 August 1985
The Governor assents to the Tamil Nadu Fire Service Act, 1985 (Act 40 of 1985). TN Act 40 of 1985
16 May 1990
The Tamil Nadu Fire Service Rules, 1990 are made by G.O. Ms. No. 1015, Home. Indian Kanoonnews report
2001
The department is renamed Fire and Rescue Services. TNFRS
4 February 2019
TNCDBR 2019 is notified, setting the 18.30 m high-rise line. TNCDBR 2019
13 August 2021
The revised budget speech announces a new law to replace the 1985 Act. TN Gazette
28 April 2025
L.A. Bill No. 13 of 2025 is introduced in the Assembly. TN Gazette
6 June 2025
The Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services Act, 2025 receives assent and is gazetted; it starts on a notified date. Government of Tamil Nadu, Gazette Extraordinary No. 263, 6 June 2025
15 June 2026
G.O. Ms. No. 126 puts the Director of Fire and Rescue Services on the CMDA high-rise panel. TN Gazette
3 September 2026
A Bill to amend the 2025 Act is introduced after BIS withdrew NBC 2016 on 30 April 2026. Plutus IASnews report
15 September 2026
Act 16 of 2026 removes the National Building Code definitions from the 2025 Act. TeamLease RegTechnews report

How a Chennai high-rise plan reaches the TNFRS Director

In the Chennai Metropolitan Area a tower over 18.30 m meets TNFRS three times: at plan scrutiny, at completion and at occupation.

1. Plan filed on onlineppa
The architect files with CMDA on onlineppa, which raises the DFRS NOC inside the planning-permission application under TNCDBR rule 39(11)(iii). onlineppa
2. Plan shows the fire layout
Rule 7(3) needs 16 fire items on a high-rise plan, from fire-appliance turning circles and the fire lift to the static tank, pump room and fire service inlets. Rule 39 adds a 7 m setback up to 30 m height and a 7.2 m internal driveway. TNCDBR 2019
3. CMDA high-rise panel
Since 15 June 2026 a 12-member panel, with the Director of Fire and Rescue Services as member 2, scrutinises the plan; its changes go into the drawings before CMDA decides. TN Gazette
4. Director's NOC
The Director's office reviews the file within 7 days, a zonal Joint or Deputy Director inspects within 15, and the Director decides within 30 days. TNSWP
5. Compliance certificate
After construction, TNFRS inspects the installed systems and issues the MSB compliance certificate. TNSWP
6. Completion certificate
CMDA or GCC issues it within 30 days only after the TNFRS certificate; power, water and sewer connections wait for it. TNCDBR 2019
7. Fire licence from the Director
File the compliance certificate, ownership or lease papers and the approved plan on TNSWP; the Director decides within 30 days. TNSWP

TNFRS fees for a fire NOC and fire licence in Tamil Nadu

Every TNFRS sheet on the Tamil Nadu Single Window Portal states "No fees collected". Fees under the 2025 Act are left to rules not yet made.

As published

NOC, building below 18.3 mNo fees collectedTNSWP sheet PE_9 TNSWP
NOC, building of 18.3 m and aboveNo fees collectedTNSWP sheet PE_14 TNSWP
Compliance certificate, MSBNot applicableTNSWP sheet PO_18 TNSWP
Fire licence, below 18.3 mNo fees collectedTNSWP sheet PO_20 TNSWP
Fire licence, 18.3 m and aboveNo fees collectedTNSWP sheet PO_21 TNSWP
Fire Occurrence Certificate for an insurance claimNo feeIssued to the insurer by the District Fire Officer TNFRS
Licence, certificate or protocol under the 2025 ActNot yet prescribedSections 27(2), 28(2) and 30(3): such fee as may be prescribed Government of Tamil Nadu, Gazette Extraordinary No. 263, 6 June 2025
Display board deposit for a high-rise permit (TNCDBR rule 39(13))₹10,000A planning deposit, refundable on completion; not a TNFRS fee TNCDBR 2019

Consultants' charges are not TNFRS fees, and TNFRS tells applicants to deal with its officers directly. State-by-state fees are on the fire NOC fees page.

Documents TNSWP lists for each Tamil Nadu fire stage

The TNSWP checklists are short: 3 items at each stage. Keep these ready before you open the form.

NOC stage: land ownership copy, a sale deed with patta and chitta, or a rental or lease deed TNSWP
NOC stage: proposed building plan with site, topo, elevation, typical floor and section drawings, certified by a local-body panel engineer TNSWP
NOC stage: proposed fire plan, certified by a local-body panel engineer TNSWP
High-rise plan: the 16 fire items of TNCDBR rule 7(3), including fire lift, refuge area, static tank and fire service inlets TNCDBR 2019
MSB compliance certificate: the pre-establishment NOC, ownership or lease proof, and the plan approved by the local body, DTCP or CMDA TNSWP
Fire licence below 18.3 m: the NOC, a sale deed, rental or lease agreement, and the approved building plan TNSWP
Fire licence at 18.3 m and above: the TNFRS compliance certificate in place of the NOC, plus the same 2 papers TNSWP
For renewal: a copy of the previous year's licence Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services
For a hospital: records of mock drills every 6 months with TNFRS, as TNCDBR Annexure IX asks TNCDBR 2019

Tamil Nadu fire NOC portals: TNSWP, onlineppa and the gazette

TNFRS has no portal of its own: its NOC/Fire License link opens the Tamil Nadu Single Window Portal. The step-by-step walk-through is on the online-apply page.

Apply
Tamil Nadu Single Window Portal
NOC and fire licence applications for TNFRS, with digitally signed certificates and SMS alerts. Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services
tnswp.com/DIGIGOV/swp-tnswp.jsp
Plans
onlineppa, planning permission
GCC, CMDA, DTCP and municipal building plans; raises the DFRS NOC inside the plan application. onlineppa
onlineppa.tn.gov.in
Procedure
TNSWP sheet: NOC for MSB
The 6-level Director route, the 30-day timeline and the 3-item checklist. TNSWP
tnswp.com/DIGIGOV/StaticAttachment?AttachmentFileName=%2Fprocedure%2Fpre_est%2FPE_14.pdf
Department
TNFRS website
Officers' contacts, station lists, fire-call statistics and a link to NBCS 2026 for information. Use the www address; the bare host fails its certificate. TNFRS
www.tnfrs.tn.gov.in
Rules
CMDA: TNCDBR 2019
The building rules with the 18.30 m definition and the fire rules 39 and 64. TNCDBR 2019
www.cmdachennai.gov.in/pdfs/TNCDBR-2019.pdf
Law
Tamil Nadu Gazette: Act 37 of 2025
The 2025 Act as gazetted on 6 June 2025; watch this site for its commencement notification. Government of Tamil Nadu, Gazette Extraordinary No. 263, 6 June 2025
www.stationeryprinting.tn.gov.in/extraordinary/2025/263_Ex_IV_2_2025.pdf

Tamil Nadu fire terms: MSB, compliance certificate, Category A to C

Eight words a Tamil Nadu owner meets between the plan and the licence.

MSB (Multi Storied Building): TNFRS's class for buildings of 18.3 m and above, cleared by the Director. Below that line a building is non-MSB. TNSWP
High Rise Building: TNCDBR rule 2(58): a building exceeding 18.30 m in height. Its planning rules are in rule 39. TNCDBR 2019
NOC: The pre-establishment No Objection Certificate TNFRS issues on the proposed building and fire plans. TNSWP
Compliance certificate: TNFRS's certificate after inspecting a finished MSB; the MSB fire licence needs it. TNSWP
Fire licence: The pre-occupation licence under section 13 of the 1985 Act. A 2022 licence ran for 1 year and required fire drills every 6 months. TNFRS licence
Category A, B and C: The 2025 Act's three classes: A needs a TNFRS fire licence, B a 3-year certificate from an audit agency, C a self-certified protocol renewed every 3 years. Government of Tamil Nadu, Gazette Extraordinary No. 263, 6 June 2025
Fire Safety Audit Agency: A person or company empanelled by the Government under section 32 of the 2025 Act; a fraudulent certificate costs up to ₹1 lakh. Government of Tamil Nadu, Gazette Extraordinary No. 263, 6 June 2025
Fire Occurrence Certificate: A District Fire Officer's certificate of a fire, sent to the insurer for a claim, free of charge. TNFRS

Tamil Nadu buildings from Chennai to Madurai: worked cases

Flamekite’s working from the official rules; no government publishes this figure.

Five common Tamil Nadu premises run through TNCDBR and the TNSWP sheets. Your building may differ.

Case 1
A 24 m apartment tower in Chennai
Flats on 7 floors over stilt parking, 24 m high, in the Chennai Metropolitan Area.
What applies High-rise and MSB: the CMDA panel scrutinises the plan, the Director issues the NOC in 30 days, then a compliance certificate and a Director's fire licence. It needs a 7 m setback all round. TN Gazette
Case 2
A 15 m office in Coimbatore with 2 basements
4 office floors, 15 m high, with 2 basement parking levels.
What applies Below 18.3 m, but more than 1 basement sends it to the Director, and rule 39(8)(b) needs the basements' fire protection to satisfy TNFRS. Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services
Case 3
A single-storey kalyana mandapam in Madurai
One hall for weddings, 8 m high.
What applies DTCP lists kalyana mandapams among the uses needing a Fire Service NOC at any height, so the District Officer issues the NOC and later the fire licence, each within 15 days. TNSWP
Case 4
An engineering college in Chengalpattu district
An educational institute licensed by the District Officer, Chengalpattu.
What applies Its fire licence of 30 December 2022, inspected on 24 December 2022, ran to 23 December 2023 and required fire drills every 6 months and staff training under G.O. 713 of 2005. TNFRS licence
Case 5
A 25 m hospital
A private hospital, ground plus 6 floors, 25 m high.
What applies MSB and high-rise. TNCDBR Annexure IX adds a 7 m setback, fire lifts with alternate power, staff training by TNFRS and mock drills every 6 months. TNCDBR 2019

Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services in numbers

23,043
Fire calls attended across Tamil Nadu in 2025, 99 of them classed serious TNFRS
70
Lives lost in fires in 2025, from the TNFRS call table TNFRS
22,632
Fire calls from January to July 2026 TNFRS
39
Fire districts, each under a District Officer, in 8 regions TNFRS
44
Stations in the Northern Region, which covers Chennai's 4 fire districts TNFRS
18.3 m
Height at which the Director, not a District Officer, decides TNSWP

TNFRS Directorate and Chennai district fire offices

MSB files go to the Directorate in Egmore; non-MSB files in Chennai go to one of 4 District Officers. Numbers as TNFRS prints them.

Directorate of Fire and Rescue Services TNFRS
Thiru G. Venkataraman IPS, DGP and Director; email director.tnfrs@tn.gov.in
Address
No.17, Rukmani Lakshmipathy Salai, Egmore, Chennai 600008
Phone
044 28554156
Website
www.tnfrs.tn.gov.in
District Officer, Chennai North TNFRS
Email dochnnorth.tnfrs@tn.gov.in
Address
Madras High Court Campus, Esplanade, Chennai 600104
Phone
044-25342495
District Officer, Chennai Central TNFRS
Email dochnctr.tnfrs@tn.gov.in
Address
Kilpauk, Chennai 600010
Phone
044-26442511
District Officer, Chennai South TNFRS
Email dochnsouth.tnfrs@tn.gov.in
Address
Ashok Nagar, Chennai 600083
Phone
044-24894746
District Officer, Chennai Suburban TNFRS
Email dochnsub.tnfrs@tn.gov.in
Address
No.98 Ambit IT Park Road, Ambattur Industrial Estate, Chennai 600058
Phone
044-26251103
State Training Centre, Tambaram TNFRS
Deputy Director (Training); email ddstc.tnfrs@tn.gov.in
Address
No.100, GST Road, Tambaram Sanatorium, Chennai 600047
Phone
9445086304

Fire penalties in Tamil Nadu under the 1985 and 2025 Acts

Today the largest fire-safety fine in the 1985 Act is ₹500. The 2025 Act raises it to ₹50,000, but only once it commences.

Offence	Penalty	Law
Failing to take precautions notified under section 13, or a removal direction	Fine up to ₹500	Section 15, 1985 Act (in force) TN Act 40 of 1985
Wilfully obstructing fire-fighting	Up to 3 months, a fine up to ₹500, or both	Section 16, 1985 Act (in force) TN Act 40 of 1985
A false report of a fire	Up to 3 months, a fine up to ₹500, or both	Section 17, 1985 Act (in force) TN Act 40 of 1985
Contravening sections 25, 27 or 28: removal orders, the fire licence, the audit certificate	Up to 3 months, a fine up to ₹50,000, or both, plus up to ₹3,000 a day	Section 37, 2025 Act (not yet in force) Government of Tamil Nadu, Gazette Extraordinary No. 263, 6 June 2025
An audit agency issuing a certificate fraudulently	Fine up to ₹1 lakh; up to 1 year in jail if a fire it caused leads to grievous hurt or death	Section 32(8), 2025 Act (not yet in force) Government of Tamil Nadu, Gazette Extraordinary No. 263, 6 June 2025
Removing a seal put on a dangerous building	Up to 3 months, a fine up to ₹25,000, or both	Section 35(5), 2025 Act (not yet in force) Government of Tamil Nadu, Gazette Extraordinary No. 263, 6 June 2025
Not appointing a Fire Safety Officer within 30 days of notice	₹10 to ₹50 per m² for each month of default	Section 39, 2025 Act (not yet in force) Government of Tamil Nadu, Gazette Extraordinary No. 263, 6 June 2025
Any other contravention of the Act or rules	Up to ₹10,000, plus up to ₹1,000 a day	Section 45, 2025 Act (not yet in force) Government of Tamil Nadu, Gazette Extraordinary No. 263, 6 June 2025

Under the 1990 Rules a defaulter is given 15, 30 or 90 days to rectify before the licence is suspended, refused renewal or cancelled. Appeals under the 2025 Act lie within 30 days (section 54).

Tamil Nadu fire NOC mistakes that delay occupation

Most delays in Tamil Nadu come from the wrong officer, a missing panel-engineer certificate, or acting on a 2025 Act that has not started.

If Filing an 18.3 m building with the District Officer
TNSWP puts 18.3 m and above with the Director; at exactly 18.3 m, confirm the officer with TNFRS before you file. TNSWP
If Counting only height and forgetting the second basement
More than 1 basement sends any building to the Director. Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services
If Uploading plans without a panel engineer's certificate
Both the building plan and the fire plan must be certified by a panel engineer approved by the local body. TNSWP
If Applying for an MSB fire licence with only the NOC
The MSB licence needs the TNFRS compliance certificate issued after inspecting the finished building. TNSWP
If Asking CMDA or GCC for a completion certificate first
Rule 20(7)(c) needs the TNFRS certificate before the completion certificate, and services wait for that. TNCDBR 2019
If Waiting for Category B or C instead of renewing
Act 37 of 2025 has no start date yet. Renew under the 1985 regime; its 180-day window opens only on commencement. Government of Tamil Nadu, Gazette Extraordinary No. 263, 6 June 2025
If Paying an agent a "TNFRS fee"
TNSWP states no fees are collected, and TNFRS tells applicants not to use brokers. Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services

Five myths about the Tamil Nadu fire NOC

You may have read
The 1985 Act was repealed in 2025.
Myth
What the sources say
Section 70 of the 2025 Act repeals it only when the Act commences under section 1(3), and no commencement notification had been found by 24 October 2026. Government of Tamil Nadu, Gazette Extraordinary No. 263, 6 June 2025
You may have read
Tamil Nadu needs a fire NOC above 15 m, or above 17.25 m.
Myth
What the sources say
The line is 18.3 m: TNCDBR defines a high-rise as exceeding 18.30 m and TNSWP sends 18.3 m and above to the Director. Some uses need an NOC at any height. TNCDBR 2019
You may have read
TNFRS charges a fee based on built-up area.
Myth
What the sources say
The TNSWP sheets for both NOCs and both fire licences say "No fees collected". TNSWP
You may have read
Tamil Nadu adopted NBCS 2026 after NBC 2016 was withdrawn.
Myth
What the sources say
Its 2026 amendment removed NBC references and tied measures to TNCDBR 2019. TNFRS links NBCS 2026 only for information, and only Assam had written NBCS 2026 into its fire law by 24 October 2026. TNFRS
You may have read
Under the 2025 Act every building needs a TNFRS licence.
Myth
What the sources say
Only Category A does. Category B gets a 3-year certificate from an empanelled audit agency, and Category C a self-certified protocol generated online. Government of Tamil Nadu, Gazette Extraordinary No. 263, 6 June 2025

Tamil Nadu fires that shaped the rules, 2004 to 2024

From news reports, not yet an official source.

Flamekite found no TNFRS order or rule change that followed the Dindigul hospital fire of December 2024, as of 24 October 2026.

16 July 2004
94 children die (93 in the Supreme Court's 2009 judgment) in a fire at Sri Krishna Middle School, Kumbakonam, where more than 700 children were enrolled in 3 schools run from one building. TNMnews report
13 April 2009
In Avinash Mehrotra v. Union of India the Supreme Court orders extinguishers in every school within 6 months, NBC-compliant buildings and a school Fire Task Force with a Fire and Rescue member inspecting every 3 months. Legal Authoritynews report
31 May 2017
The 7-storey Chennai Silks building in T. Nagar burns for 38 hours; 450 fire personnel use about 7 lakh litres of water, and the building, which had violated several norms, is demolished. TNMnews report
12 December 2024
At least 6 people die in a night fire at a private hospital in Dindigul, 5 of them found in a lift; a short circuit on the ground floor is suspected. AIR Newsnews report

What Tamil Nadu owners should do before the 2025 Act starts

Do

Keep renewing your 1985-Act fire licence on TNSWP; a 2022 licence ran for 1 year. TNFRS licence
Watch the Tamil Nadu Gazette for the commencement notification and the rules that will class buildings as A, B or C. Government of Tamil Nadu, Gazette Extraordinary No. 263, 6 June 2025
Plan for a Fire Safety Officer trained at the Tambaram State Training Centre or NFSC Nagpur if your premises are commercial or hazardous. Government of Tamil Nadu, Gazette Extraordinary No. 263, 6 June 2025

Don’t

Don't buy a Category B certificate from an "audit agency" yet: the Government has not called for empanelment under section 32. Government of Tamil Nadu, Gazette Extraordinary No. 263, 6 June 2025
Don't let a licence lapse expecting the 180-day transition to cover it; that clock starts only on commencement. Government of Tamil Nadu, Gazette Extraordinary No. 263, 6 June 2025
Don't alter a Chennai high-rise plan after the CMDA panel's review without going back to it. TN Gazette

What Flamekite could not confirm about Tamil Nadu fire NOC

Six points no official source we read settles, as of 24 October 2026.

When Act 37 of 2025 starts. Section 1(3) leaves it to a Government notification, and none was found on 24 October 2026. No draft or final rules under the Act were found either, so the Category A, B and C criteria, the Category A licence term and every fee under it are unknown.

The text of Act 16 of 2026 as gazetted. Its content on this page comes from TeamLease RegTech's summary of 22 September 2026; the Tamil Nadu Gazette copy was not found.

A statutory term for today's fire licence. Neither the 1985 Act nor the 1990 Rules we read fixes one. The 1 year on this page is written on one licence issued on 30 December 2022.

Which side of the line a building of exactly 18.3 m falls. TNSWP says 18.3 m and above goes to the Director; TNCDBR rule 2(58) says a high-rise exceeds 18.30 m.

Whether Tamil Nadu's 21-day deadline for industrial approvals, reported by DT Next on 14 October 2026, covers TNFRS NOCs. A 2024 Housing and Urban Development order reported by Constrofacilitator set 15 days for non-high-rise fire NOCs in planning permission, with a deemed NOC if missed; we have not read the order.

What the asterisk on the 15-day District Officer timeline in the TNSWP sheets refers to: the sheets carry no footnote.

Questions about Tamil Nadu

Who issues fire NOC in Tamil Nadu?: Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services. The Director clears buildings of 18.3 m and above, or with more than 1 basement, within 30 days; a District Officer clears lower buildings within 15 days.
Is there a fee for fire NOC in Tamil Nadu?: No. The Tamil Nadu Single Window Portal's TNFRS sheets say "No fees collected" for the NOC and the fire licence, for buildings both below and above 18.3 m. The 2025 Act will let rules set fees once it starts.
What is the validity of a fire licence in Tamil Nadu?: The 1985 Act and 1990 Rules set no term. A TNFRS licence issued in Chengalpattu on 30 December 2022 says it is valid for 1 year from issue. Under the 2025 Act a Category B certificate will last 3 years.
Has the Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services Act 2025 come into force?: Not as of 24 October 2026. It was gazetted on 6 June 2025 and starts on a date the Government notifies, and no notification was found. The 1985 Act still governs fire licences.
Which buildings need a fire NOC in Tamil Nadu?: Every building over 18.30 m, plus public buildings, malls, cinemas, kalyana mandapams, community halls, industries, warehouses and premises handling crackers or explosives, at any height, under TNCDBR rule 64(3) and the DTCP checklist.
How do I apply for fire NOC online in Tamil Nadu?: On the Tamil Nadu Single Window Portal, which the TNFRS website links as NOC/Fire License. Building-plan NOCs for GCC, CMDA and DTCP also run inside onlineppa. Upload ownership papers and plans certified by a panel engineer.
What is an MSB in Tamil Nadu fire rules?: A Multi Storied Building: 18.3 m or taller in the TNSWP sheets. Its NOC, compliance certificate and fire licence are all decided by the TNFRS Director in Chennai.
What are Category A, B and C buildings in Tamil Nadu?: The classes in section 26 of the 2025 Act: A needs a TNFRS fire licence, B a 3-year fire safety certificate from an empanelled audit agency, and C a self-certified protocol renewed every 3 years. The rules that sort buildings into them are not yet made.

Keep reading

Fire NOC in India: the complete guideWho needs a fire NOC, how to apply, and the rules in every state.
Apply for a fire NOC onlineTNSWP registration and every other state portal, step by step.
Fire NOC fees by stateRates, floors and caps across 36 states and UTs.
Fire NOC validity by stateHow long a certificate lasts in each state, and when to renew.
Fire NOC in KarnatakaThe neighbouring state's 21 m line and KSFES procedure.
National Building Code 2026Why Tamil Nadu removed NBC references instead of adopting NBCS 2026.

Keep exploring

Fire NOC in other South Indian states

Also in Fire NOC

Sources

Each source was opened and read on the date shown. How Flamekite checks its sources

Show all 33 sourcesShow fewer

Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (copy of Tamil Nadu Government Gazette Extraordinary No. 43): Tamil Nadu Combined Development and Building Rules, 2019 (G.O. Ms. No. 18, MAWS, 4 February 2019): rules 2(58), 7, 20, 39, 64 and Annexure IX (opens in a new tab)checked 25 October 2026
Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services: Organisational structure: 8 regions, 39 districts, State Training Centre Tambaram (opens in a new tab)checked 24 October 2026
Guidance Tamil Nadu, Tamil Nadu Single Window Portal: Fire License for Non-Multi Storied Buildings from TNFRS: procedure, documents, timelines and fees (opens in a new tab)checked 24 October 2026
Guidance Tamil Nadu, Tamil Nadu Single Window Portal: No Objection Certificate for Non-Multi Storied Buildings (below 18.3 m) from TNFRS: procedure, documents, timelines and fees (opens in a new tab)checked 24 October 2026
Guidance Tamil Nadu, Tamil Nadu Single Window Portal: Fire License for Multi Storied Buildings from TNFRS: procedure, documents, timelines and fees (opens in a new tab)checked 24 October 2026
Tamil Nadu Single Window Portal for Planning Permission (onlineppa): NOC User Reference Document V2.0: DFRS as an NOC department under TNCDBR rule 39(11)(iii) (opens in a new tab)checked 24 October 2026
Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services: Fire and rescue calls details, 2015 to 2026 (till July) (opens in a new tab)checked 24 October 2026
Guidance Tamil Nadu, Tamil Nadu Single Window Portal: Compliance Certificate for Multi Storied Buildings from TNFRS: procedure, documents and fees (opens in a new tab)checked 24 October 2026
Guidance Tamil Nadu, Tamil Nadu Single Window Portal: Planning Permission for Buildings from DTCP: when an NOC from the Fire Service department is needed (opens in a new tab)checked 24 October 2026
Guidance Tamil Nadu, Tamil Nadu Single Window Portal: Trade License from Greater Chennai Corporation: committee of Health, Police, Fire and TNPCB (opens in a new tab)checked 24 October 2026
Tamil Nadu Government Gazette Extraordinary No. 285 (Housing and Urban Development Department): G.O. Ms. No. 126, 15 June 2026: rule 39(25) of TNCDBR substituted, high-rise scrutiny panel for the Chennai Metropolitan Area (opens in a new tab)checked 24 October 2026
Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services: History: Madras Fire Brigade 1908, separated from the Police in 1967, renamed in 2001 (opens in a new tab)checked 24 October 2026
Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services: Fire Occurrence Certificate: issued to insurers by District Fire Officers, no fee (opens in a new tab)checked 24 October 2026
Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services: Documents for planning-permission NOC, completion certificate or fire licence, and renewal (opens in a new tab)checked 24 October 2026
Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services: State level officers: Directorate, Egmore, and State Training Centre, Tambaram (opens in a new tab)checked 24 October 2026
Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services: Northern Region (44 stations): Chennai South, North, Central and Suburban fire districts (opens in a new tab)checked 24 October 2026
Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services: District Officers: Chennai North, Central, South and Suburban offices (opens in a new tab)checked 24 October 2026
Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services: Downloads: National Building Construction Standards (NBCS) 2026, link to BIS for information only (opens in a new tab)checked 24 October 2026
Indian Kanoon (legal database): Tamil Nadu Fire Service Rules, 1990 (G.O. Ms. No. 1015, Home, 16 May 1990): rule 9 and Appendices II to V (opens in a new tab)News report · checked 24 October 2026
TeamLease RegTech: Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services (Amendment) Act, 2026 (Act No. 16 of 2026) (opens in a new tab)News report · checked 24 October 2026
Plutus IAS: Tamil Nadu Assembly introduces Bill to amend the Fire and Rescue Services Act, 2025 (3 September 2026) (opens in a new tab)News report · checked 24 October 2026
Constrofacilitator: Tamil Nadu govt sets 15 to 30 days deadline for building NOCs (5 November 2024) (opens in a new tab)News report · checked 24 October 2026
DT Next: Deadline for industrial nod reduced after Governor's assent (14 October 2026) (opens in a new tab)News report · checked 24 October 2026
The News Minute: Madras HC frees 10 in Kumbakonam school fire that killed 94 kids (10 August 2017) (opens in a new tab)News report · checked 24 October 2026
Legal Authority (legal database copy of the judgment): Avinash Mehrotra v. Union of India, W.P.(C) 483 of 2004, Supreme Court, 13 April 2009: school fire safety directions (opens in a new tab)News report · checked 24 October 2026
The News Minute: After battling a 38-hr blaze, the Chennai Silks will be brought down (2 June 2017) (opens in a new tab)News report · checked 24 October 2026
All India Radio News: Tamil Nadu: 6 burnt to death in Dindigul hospital fire (13 December 2024) (opens in a new tab)News report · checked 24 October 2026