Fire NOC Checklist Before Inspection for Factories (Delhi, UP, Haryana)

Most factories that fail a fire inspection do not fail because the law is unclear. They fail on things that were fixable the week before: a locked exit, a dead alarm panel, a pump that was never run on auto, or equipment that does not match the approved drawings. This checklist walks you through what to verify before the fire officers arrive at your factory, godown or cold storage in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh or Haryana.

It is a practical companion to our pages on fire NOC, fire NOC in Delhi, fire NOC in Uttar Pradesh and fire NOC in Haryana.

First, know which inspection you are preparing for

Under the Uttar Pradesh Fire and Emergency Services Act, 2022, a fire officer gives three hours' notice and inspects between sunrise and sunset, unless an industry is working or safety demands otherwise. In other States, expect little advance warning, so keep the building inspection-ready at all times.

A note on the changing rules

Fire rules are in flux. Delhi's thresholds and certificate rules were reportedly amended in 2026, with reports that renewal has been replaced by an annual declaration and a certification route through empanelled fire safety auditors. We have not verified this from the gazette, so confirm with the Delhi Fire Service before relying on either the old five or three year validity or the new position. Haryana is reported to have introduced guidelines with empanelled agencies in December 2025, and Uttar Pradesh amended its Act in 2026. The checklist below covers physical readiness, which stays relevant whichever process applies.

Step 1: Confirm you are in the right category

Before preparing the building, confirm why you need a certificate and which thresholds apply.

• Delhi: industrial and storage buildings with a covered area above 250 sq m on all floors, and hazardous occupancies above 100 sq m
• Uttar Pradesh: industrial, storage and hazardous special buildings and mixed-occupancy buildings with such use covering more than 500 sq m, and multi-storied buildings above 15 m
• Haryana: industrial, storage and hazardous buildings with more than 500 sq m on any floor, among other classes

If your factory is near the line, get measurements certified by an architect. An understated area is a common reason for a later notice.

Step 2: Paper file checklist

Keep one folder, physical and scanned, with:

• Sanctioned building plan and any completion or occupancy certificate
• Approved fire-fighting drawings or the scheme or recommendation approved by the department
• Vendor installation and commissioning certificates for pumps, alarm, sprinklers and extinguishers
• Previous fire safety certificate, annual declaration or maintenance certificate
• Maintenance contracts and service logs
• Training records and drill attendance sheets
• Electrical safety details and DG set particulars
• Factory licence, pollution consent and any other approvals the officer may ask about

An officer who sees a tidy file starts the visit with more confidence in the site.

Step 3: Physical checklist, area by area

Exits, staircases and travel distances

• Every emergency exit is unlocked, free of stock and opens in the direction of escape
• Staircases are not used for storage and are not grilled or padlocked
• Exit signs are visible and illuminated, and emergency lighting works on battery backup
• Aisles are marked and unobstructed
• Terrace doors are accessible, not chained

Blocked or locked exits are the single most common observation. Delhi's certificate is conditional on exits being kept clear.

Portable extinguishers

• Right type for the hazard, mounted at the marked locations
• Pressure gauge in the green zone, seals intact
• Service stickers current and dated
• Staff know where they are and how to use them

Hydrant, sprinkler and pump systems

• Fire pump started in auto mode and manual mode, and pressure observed
• Jockey pump holds pressure without constant cycling
• Hydrant valves open freely, hoses and nozzles in the hose boxes
• Sprinkler heads uncovered and not painted over; stock stacked clear of heads
• Water storage tank at the capacity in the approved calculation, with the level visible
• Fire brigade inlet accessible

Pump size, tank capacity or sprinkler coverage that differs from the approved scheme is a typical cause of a failed inspection.

Alarm and detection

• Alarm panel shows normal status with no faults
• Detectors and manual call points tested and logged
• Siren audible across the floor

Electrical and process areas

• No overloaded sockets, exposed wiring or temporary joints
• DG set room clear, fuel stored as required
• Hazardous materials stored in designated areas with signage
• Hot-work permit practice, if welding or cutting is done
• Housekeeping: no accumulation of packaging, oil or dust near machines

Building and surroundings

• Fire tender access to the building is clear, including gates and turning space
• Terrace water tanks and signage in place where required
• No unauthorised floor, mezzanine or shed that was not in the approved plan

Step 4: People checklist

• A named person responsible for fire safety on every shift
• Staff trained to use extinguishers and trained in evacuation, with the training dated
• A drill carried out recently, with attendance sheet
• Emergency contact numbers displayed
• Where the State has required it, a Fire Safety Officer appointed within 30 days of notice. Under the UP and Haryana Acts, failure attracts an area-based monthly penalty

Step 5: The walk-through test

Two days before the date you expect an inspection, walk the building as an inspector would.

1. Start outside: can a fire tender reach the building?
2. Enter by the main gate and trace each exit route to the outside without touching anything that is locked.
3. Open every emergency door.
4. Trigger the alarm test and note whether the panel and siren respond.
5. Start the pump on auto and read the gauge.
6. Check extinguisher dates and gauges on every floor.
7. Compare what you see with the approved drawing. Note every difference.
8. Photograph your corrections with dates.

Step 6: During the inspection

• Have a knowledgeable person accompany the officers, with the paper file.
• Answer what is asked, and do not guess; offer to send the missing document.
• Note every observation in writing, ask for the deadline, and record it.
• Do not argue about the category on the spot; ask for written reasons if you disagree.

Step 7: After the visit

If observations are raised, a compliance deadline is set. Fix and request re-inspection rather than re-filing, so you keep the application's position. Keep photographs and invoices of the rectification. Diarise renewal or annual declaration dates. Under the UP Act, maintenance certificates are to be filed with the Fire Officer in January and July each year.

Quick scoring table

Rate each area before the visit.

Mistakes to avoid

• Servicing equipment the day before but with no records
• Padlocking exits to prevent theft, and forgetting to unlock on the day
• Storing stock under sprinklers or against hydrant hose boxes
• Adding a mezzanine, shed or racking that changes the layout after approval, without approval
• Assuming the certificate covers unauthorised construction. The Delhi certificate wording says it covers only the permanent structure as inspected and cannot regularise unauthorised construction
• Ignoring a notice because the building is "below the threshold". Occupancy class and area can still bring you within the rules

Link with your other licences

Fire clearance is often asked for in a factory licence application and in related approvals. Keep it consistent with your building plan approval. A fire certificate does not replace either.

Practical tips

Appoint one person to own a monthly fire-safety walk and keep a signed log. Replace the stock stacked near hydrants with painted floor markings. Ask your fire consultant to attend the inspection if systems are complex. If the department's scheme or the process has changed since you last applied, confirm the current rule before the visit.

Need support?

Lawgical Guru can prepare a pre-inspection checklist for your building, coordinate with your fire consultant, and file or track the application on the State system. Call +91 92205 65553.

General information as of October 2026. Fire rules differ by State and are being amended. This is not a substitute for the fire department's directions.

Reviewed by Satyam Gupta, Company Secretary (CS) & Advocate

8+ years of industry experience. Last reviewed 16 October 2026. Always confirm current rules and fees on the official portal before acting.