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The Gujarat Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act, 2013.

Gujarat · state statute
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Extra No. 11 REGISTERED No. L2/RNP/G/GN R/84 
<UN!s <-tCll"6ll.t't E~ ~l. .Jooo/-
© 
tEbt ~ujarat @obernment @a;ette 
Vol. LIV I 
EXTRAORDINARY 
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY 
MONDAY, APRIL 1, 2013/CAITRA 11, 1935 
Separate paging is given to this Part in order that it may be filed as a Sepa rate 
Compilat ion. 
PART IV 
Acts of Guja rat Legislatu re and Ordi nances promu lgated and 
Regulation s made by the Governor. 
The following Act of the Gujarat Legislature, having been assented to 
by the Governor on the l st April, 2013, is hereby published for general 
information. 
C. J. GOTHI, 
Secretary to the Government of Gujarat, 
Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Department 
GUJARAT ACT NO. 11 OF 2013. 
(First published, after having received the assent of the Governor, in 
the "Gujarat Government Gazelle", on the ls1 April, 2013). 
AN ACT 
to make effective provisions for the fire prevention, safety and protection of 
life and property, in various types of buildings and temporary structures or 
shamiyana or tents or mandap likely to cause a risk of fire in different areas in 
the State of Gujarat and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. 
WHEREAS it is expedient to make effective provisions for the fire 
prevention, safety and protection of life and property in various types of 
buildings and temporary structures or shamiyana or tents or mandap likely to 
cause a risk of fire, in different areas in the Stale of Gujarat, fire service fee, 
constitution of a special fund and for the purposes connected therewith or 
incidental thereto; 
It is hereby enacted in the Sixty-Fourth Year of the Republic of India 
as follows:-
IV-Ex.,-11-1 11 -1 
11-2 
Short title, 
extent and 
commencement. 
GUJARAT GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, Ex, 01-04-2013 
CHAPTER I 
PRELIMINARY 
[PART- IV 
1. (1) This Act may be called the Gujarat Fire Prevention and Life Safety 
Measures Act, 2013. 
(2) It extends to whole of the State of Gujarat. 
(3) It shall come into force in any area on such date as the State Government 
may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint and different dates may be 
appointed for different areas and for different provisions of the Act. 
Definitions. 2. (I) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires, -
(a) 
(b) 
(c) 
(d) 
(e) 
"building" shall have the meaning assigned to it in the GDCR or 
relevant law or any law for the time being in force in the area in which 
this Act is in force; and includes places or premises comprising land or 
building, or part of a land or building, outhouses, if any, appertaining 
to such building or part thereof and petrol, diesel or gas lines, 
communication lines, power installations or pumps, whether 
authorized or otherwise; 
"building bye-laws'' means the building bye-laws, rules or 
regulations made under any relevant law and includes GDCR or 
regulations, by whatever name they are called, or any other building 
rules or regulations made under any other law for the time being in 
force and are in operation in the area in which this Act is in force; 
"Chief Fire Officer" means a person as classified under section 
10; 
"Commissioner" shall have the meaning assigned to it in clause Bom. ux of 
(9) of section 2 of the Gujarat Provincial Municipal Corporations 1949. 
Act,1949; 
-"Director" means a person appointed under section 6; 
(/) "disaster" shall have the meaning assigned to it in clause (h) of 
section 2 of Gujarat State Disaster Management Act, 2003; Guj. 20 or200J. 
(g) "emergency services" means services required to be rendered in 
case of manmade or natural disaster or any eventuality where the life is 
at risk; 
(h) "erector" means a person. or an association of persons, whether 
corporate or otherwise, who erects or makes a shamiyana or tents or 
mandap or any structure for occupation of people on a reguJar or 
temporary basis; 
PART- IV] GUJARAT GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, Ex, 1-04-2013 
(i) " fees" means fees levied under section 30; 
(j) " fir e division" means a territory comprising such number of fire 
sub-divisions as may be prescribed; and declared generally or specially 
by the State Government to be a fire division for the purpose of this 
Act; 
(k) "fire prevention and life safety meas ures" means such measures 
as are necessary in accordance with the building bye-laws or as 
required by or under the provisions of any law or the National Building 
Code of India, for the time being in force, for the preventio n, contro l 
and fighting of fire and for ensuring the safety of life and property in 
case of fire; 
(I) "fire region" means territory compnsmg such number of fire 
divis ions as may be prescribed and declared generally or specially by 
the State Government to be a fire region for the purpose of this Act; 
(m) " fire safety officer" means a person appo inted under section 12 of 
this Act as the Fire Safety Officer by the owners and occupiers of 
certain premises and buildings as specified in this behalf to ensure fire 
prevention and fire safety measures installed in such premises and 
buildings; 
(n) "Fund " means fund constituted under section 32; 
(o) " GDCR " means the General Development Control Regulations 
11-3 
made under clause (m) of sub-section (2) of section 12 of Gujarat President's Act 
No. 27 of 1976. Town Planning and Urban Development Act, 1976; 
(p) "Licensed Agency " means a person or an associat ion of persons 
(q) 
licensed under sub-section (I) of section 28; 
" Housing Society" includes all registered residential and non­
residential or mixed housing societies, association of owners or co­
owners of flat occupancy, building premises and associations of 
owners as defined under the Gujarat Ownership of Flats Act, 1973; 
(r) " local authority " means a municipal corporation, nagar 
panchayat, municipality, district panchayat, taluka panchayat, gram 
panchayat, notified area committee or cantonment board constituted 
under relevant local authority law; 
Gaj. 13 
of 1973. 
11-4 GUJARAT GOVERNMENT GAZEITE , Ex, 01-04-2013 [PART-IV 
(.s) " Local Fire servic e" means the local fire service as may be 
notified by the State Government under section 3. 
(I} "Na tional Buildin g Code of Indi a" means the book or books 
containing Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures to be 
implemented in the buildings, places, premises, workshops, 
warehouses and industries, published from time to time by the Bureau 
of Indian Standards; 
(u) " nominat ed officer" means an officer possessing the prescribed 
qualifications and nominated by the Director or the Regional Fire 
Officer or the Chief Fire Officer to perform duties and functions laid 
down under this Act; 
(v) "occup ancy" means the principal occupancy for which a building 
or a part of a building is used or intended to be used including 
subsidiary occupancies which are contingent upon it; 
(w) "occupi er" shall have the meaning assigned to it in· clause (xvi) of Presiden t Act 
section 2 of the Gujarat Town Planning and Urban Development Act, No. 21or1976. 
1976; 
(x) "own er" shall have the meaning assigned to it in clause (xvii) of President Act 
section 2 of the Gujarat Town Planning and Urban Development Act, No. 27 or 1976. 
1976 and shall also include the housing society; 
(y) "premi ses" means any land or any building or part of a building 
and includes the garden ground and outhouse, if any, appertaining 
building or part of a building; and any land or any building or part of a 
building appurtenant thereto which is used for storing explosives 
explosive substance and dangerously inflammable substance; 
(z) " prescribed " means prescribed by rules made under section 57; 
(za) "Regional Fire Offic er" means a person appointed under section 
8; 
(zb) "regulation s" means regu lations made by the Directo·r under section 
58; 
(zc) "sl1amiyana or tents or mandap " means a temporary structure with 
roof or walls made of straw, hay, ulu grass, golpatta, hogla, darma, 
mat, canvas, cloth or other like material which is not adopted for 
permanent or continuous occupancy. 
PART- IV] GUJARAT GOVERNMENT GAZETTE , Ex, 1-04-2013 · 11-5 
President Act (2) Words and expressions used in this Act but not defined shall have the 
No. 27 of 1976· meaning assigned to them in the Gujarat Town Planning and Urban 
~0~3_
20 
of Development Act, 1976 or the Gujarat Stale Disaster Management Act, 2003 
or any other law relating to local authorities, as the case may be, and the rules 
made thereunder. 
CHAPTER II 
ORGANIZATION, SUPERINTENDENCE, CONTROL AND 
MAINT AINANCE OF FIRE SERVICE 
3. ( 1) There shall be one State fire service for the whole of the State and 
all officers and subordinate ranks of the fire service shall be liable for the 
posting to any office of the fire service: 
Provided that, the State Govenunent may, by notification in the 
Official Gazette, declare any Fire Brigade or any other Local Fire Service of 
any local authority of the State, by whatever name called, that the same shall 
form or shall not form the part of State Fire Service at any time: 
Provided further that, this provision shall not apply to the private fire 
services maintained for providing fire protection coverage to specific building 
or industry by the owner or occupier thereof. · 
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act or any other law for 
the time being in force relating to the local authorities , the State Government 
may, by notification in the Official Gazette, declare the services relating to any 
fire brigade or fire prevention a part of State Fire Service with effect from 
such date as may be specified in the notification. 
(3) Upon such declaration under sub-section (2),-
(i) the officers and employees responsible for providing the fue 
services in the areas of such local authority, shall be deemed to 
have been absorbed in the State Fire Service, subject to such 
terms and conditions as may be notified ; 
(ii) terms and conditions applicable to the employees after such 
absorption shall be such as may be decided by the State 
Government, 
(iii) all proceeding pending before any fire officer, immediately 
before the declaration, be deemed to be proceeding pending 
before him in his capacity as the holder of the office to which 
he is deemed to be appointed under sub-clause (2), 
One fire 
service for 
whole of State. 
11-6 
Superintendence 
of Fire Service to 
vest in State . 
Constitution and 
classification of 
Fire Service. 
GUJARAT GOVERNMENT GAZElTE, Ex, 01-04-2013 [PART- IV 
(iv) all assets, rights and liabilities relating to the fire services of 
such local authorities shall stand transferred to the State Fire 
Service, subject to such terms and conditions as the State 
Government may deem fit, 
(v) the State Government may take such necessary actions as it 
deems fit. 
4. The superintendence of, and control over, the Fire Service throughout 
the State shall vest in the State Government and the Fire Service shall be 
administered by the State Government in accordance with the provisions of 
this Act and of any rules made thereunder through such fire officers as the 
State Government may, from time to time, appoint in this behalf. 
5. (1) Subject to the provi sions of this Act, the State fire service shall 
consist of such number of staff in several ranks and have such organisation 
and have such powers , functions and duties as the State Government may, by 
genera l or special order, determine. 
(2) The State Government may prescribe by rules, -
(a) the different posts of the State Fire Service; 
(b) the mode of recruitment of staff, grade of post, the 
qualification , pay, allowances and other conditions of service of 
the officers and other staff engaged therein and matters 
connected therewith ; 
(3) The State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, 
review the existing pattern of the existing different fire services in the 
State and if deem fit may modify: 
Provided that, for local fire services the rules framed under this sub­
section may not include mode of recruitment of staff, pay, allowances and 
matters connected therewith. 
( 4) Save as otherwise provided by or under this Act, every person holding 
office either as a Chief Fire Officer or Fire Officer or staff or an employee (by 
whatever designation called) on an existing Fire Brigade or Fire Service of any 
authority on the date immediately before the commencemen t of this Act shall 
continue to hold office on the same terms and conditions as were applicable to 
him immediate ly before such date and shall exercise such powers and perform 
such duties as before and in addi tion to those as are conferred on them by or 
under this Act. 
Appotntmentor 6. (1) The State Government shall appoint a person to be the Director and 
Director. such other officers and staff as may be necessary from time to time to assist 
the Director while exercising the powers or discharging the duties or functions 
conferred under this Act or the rules made thereunder. 
PART-IV) GUJARAT GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, Ex, 1-04-2013 11-7 
(2) The jurisdiction of the Director so appointed shall extend to the entire 
State in matters relating to fire services. 
(3) Subject to the control, directions and superintendence of the State 
Government, the Director shall exercise such powers and perform such duties 
as are conferred and imposed upon him by this Act or the rules made 
thereunder. 
7. (1) Without prejudice to the provisions of sub-section (3) of section 6, 
the Director shall, -
(i) function as the Head of Department in the office of the Director; 
(ii) subject to the rules. made in this behalf, the Director may appoint 
subordinate staff only on the recommendations of the Gujarat 
State Subordinate Services Selection Board on such terms and 
conditions of salaries and allowances as may be fixed by the 
State Government; 
(iii) keep liaison with the Central Government and the State 
Government offices for the development of fire services; 
(iv) frame the policies in relation to the development of fire services 
in the State and, on approval by the State Government, take steps 
to implement the same; 
(v) exercise superintendence and control over all authorities in the 
matters relating to fire prevention and fire safety measures; and 
subject to the approval of the State Government, issue such 
directions to any authority in respect of fire services maintained 
or required to be maintained by them; 
(vi) represent the State Government on National and International 
forums with a view to updating the standard of fire services in the 
State; 
(vii) prepare and submit plans and proposals to the State Government 
with regard to the periodical review of fire equipment, fire 
property and fire manpower for effective implementation of fire 
services by the authorities; 
(viii) take or cause to be taken such effective steps and measures in 
cases of major fires, house collapse and other emergency 
services; 
(ix) investigate or cause to be investigated the cause of fire and advise 
the authorities for implementing fire precautionary measures; 
Powers, duties 
and functions of 
Director. 
11-8 GUJARAT GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, Ex, 01-04-2013 [PART- IV 
(x) advise the State Government to set up additional Fire Training 
Centre or Centres for imparting training to the officers and staff 
of local authorities so as also to cater to the need of the various 
factories, commercial and mercantile establishments in the 
private sector and to impart training to officers and the staff or to 
provide ~hem the trained and qualified fire service personnel; 
(xi) requ1s1te fire-fighting equipment of any authority or any 
institution or individual, which in his opinion is required for the 
purpose of extinguishing fire in any area ; and to determine the 
amount of compensation payable in respect of such equipment of 
in the area of which authority , such fire operation is required to 
be carried out; 
(xii) exercise such other powers and perform such other duties and 
functions as may be conferred, imposed or allotted to him by or 
under the provisions of this Act. 
(2) The Director, with the approval of the State Government, direct and 
regulate all matters of firefighting equipment, machinery and appliances , 
training, observation of persons and events mutual relations, distribution of 
duties, study of laws, orders and modes of proceedings and all matters of 
executive detail or the fulfillment of duties and maintenance of discipline of 
fire officers and members of the Fire Service under him. 
(3) The Director shall appoint such number of officers and employees as 
may be necessary to assist any Fire Officer of the State Fire Services, while 
exercising his powers or discharging his duties or functions under this Act or 
the rules made there under. 
(4) When the Director is informed, on a complaint made or otherwise that 
default has been made in the performance of any duty imposed on an authority 
by or under this Act or by or wider any enactment in relation to firefighting 
measures or operations for the time being in force, the Director, if satisfied 
after due inquiry, that the alleged default has been made, may, by order, fix a 
period for the performance of that duty and communicate such order to the 
authority. 
(5) If the duty is not performed within the period so fixed, the Director 
may appoint such other person to perform it, and may direct that the expenses 
of performing it, with a reasonable remuneration to the person appointed to 
perform it, shall be forthwith paid by the person or the authority, as the case 
may be. 
(6) If the expense and remuneration are not so paid, the Director may 
make an order directing the bank in which any moneys of the person or the 
authority are deposited or the person in-charge of the local Government 
Treasury or of any other place of security in which the moneys of the authority 
PART-IV] GUJARAT GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, Ex, 1-04-2013 
are deposited, to pay such expenses and remuneration from such moneys as 
may be standing to the credit of the authority in such bank or may be in the 
hands of such person or as may, from time to time, be received from or on 
behalf of the authority by way of deposit by such bank or person, and such 
bank or person shall be bound to obey such order. Every payment made 
pursuant to such order shall be a sufficient discharge to such bank or person 
from all liability to the authority in respect of any sum or sums so paid by it or 
him out of the moneys of the authority so deposited with such bank or person. 
(7) The Director or any Fire Officer, authorised by general or special order 
in this behalf, may, for the purpose of discharging his duties under this Act, 
require the owner or occupier of any building or other property as may be 
specified to supply information with respect to the character of such building 
or other property as may be specified, the available water supplies and means 
of access thereto, any other material particulars, and such owner or occupier 
shall furnish all the information in his possession. 
(8) The Director may, with the previous sanction of the State Government, 
enter into an agreement with any fire service or the authority which maintains 
the said fire service, beyond the limits of any area in which this Act is in forc·e 
for providing personnel of equipment or both, for firefighting purpose on such 
terms and conditions as may be provided by or under the agreement on 
reciprocal basis in public interest. 
(9) The Director may, with the previous sanction of the State Government, 
enter into arrangements with any person or organisation who employs and 
maintains personnel or equipment or both, for firefighting purposes, to secure, 
on such terms as to payment or otherwise as may be provided by or under the 
arrangements, the provision by that person or organization for assistance for 
the purpose of dealing with frre occurring in any area in which this Act is in 
force. 
11-9 
8. ( 1) For the purpose of providing adequate number of officers and staff constitution or 
for meeting the needs of fire services, having regard to the population, fire region. 
potential fire hazards in certain industries and large commercial and 
mercantile establishments and buildings and the number of fire stations 
required to be provided for and maintained, the State Government may, for the 
purpose of securing fire prevention and life safety measures within the State, 
by notification in the Official Gazette, constitute as many fire regions as it 
deems fit. 
(2) Every notification issued under sub-section (1) shall define the limits 
of the region to which it relates. 
(3) The State Government shall, for each fire region, appoint a person to 
be the Regional Fire Officer. 
11-l 0 
Division of fire 
region into fire 
divisions. 
Appointment of 
Fire Officers. 
Powers , duties 
and functions of 
Fire Officers. 
GUJARAT GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, Ex, 01-04-2013 [PART-IV 
(4) Subject to the control, direction and superintendence of the Director, 
the Regional Fire Officer, shall exercise such powers and pe1form such duties 
as are conferred and imposed upon him by this Act or the rules made 
thereunder or orders issued in this behalf. 
(5) Ylithout prejudice to the provisions of sub-section (4), the Regional 
Fire Officer shall, -
(i) function as the Head of the Fire region; 
(ii) prepare the fire management plan for the region. 
(6) The qualifications for appointment and other conditions of service of 
the Officer, appointed under sub-sectio n (3) shall be such as may be 
prescribed. 
9. The State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, 
divide each fire region into such fire divisions as may be specified in the 
notification. The fire divisions may comprise of the area of one or more local 
authority. The fire division may also be further divided into fire stations and 
define their boundaries as may be necessary for administrative and operational 
effic iency. 
10. (1) For the purposes of this Act, the State Government may 
appoint, for each,-
(a) fire division, a person as the Divisional Fire Officer, 
(b) fire station, a person as the Station Fire Officer. 
(2) The qualifications for appo intment and other conditions of service of 
the Officers, appointed under sub-section (1) shall be such as may be 
prescribed. 
(3) For the purposes of this Act, the State Government may for each Local 
Fire Services,-
(a) classify the category of Chief Fire Officer taking into 
consideration the population and class of local authority or 
authority or such other factors as may be prescribed; 
(b) prescribe the norms and qualifications of the each category of 
Chief Fire Officer; 
(4) Subject to sub-section (3), the State Government may by an order direct 
the local authority or the authority, as the case may be, to appoint a person to 
be the Chief Fire Officer. 
11. (1) Subject to the control , directions and superintendence of the 
Director, the Regional Fire Officer or the Chief Fire Officer appointed under 
sub-sect ion (3) of section 8 and under section 10 respectively, shall exercise 
such powers and perform such duties as are conferred and imposed upon him 
by this Act or rules or orders made thereunder. 
PART- IV] GUJARAT GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, Ex, 1-04-2013 l 1-11 
(2) Without prejudice to the provisions of sub-section (1 ), in case of fire 
prevention and disaster , the Regional Fire Officer or the Chief Fire Officer, as 
the case may be, for their jurisdiction shall in case of any fire or emergency act 
as commanding officer for that event and all other fire services engaged shall 
work under him. 
(3) Without prejudice to the provisions of sub-sections (1) and (2), the. 
Regional Fire Officer or the Chief fire officer, as the case may be, shall for 
their jurisdic tion, be the head of the office. 
12. ( l) To ensure the effective fire prevention and life safety measu res of 
the buildings or premises as may be specified by an order by the State 
Government in this behalf, every factory or the owner and occupie r or 
occupiers individua lly or jointly, as the case may be,-
(i) shall appo int a fire safety officer, having such qualifications as may be 
prescribed; 
(ii) send the compliance report to the Regional Fire Officer or the Chief 
Fire Officer, as the case may be, under section 18. 
(2) The fire safety officer so appointed under sub-section (1) shall, be issued 
by the Regional Fire Officer or the Chief Fire officer, as the case may be, 
the enrolment certificate under his signature and seal of the office in the 
prescribed form. 
(3) In case of a vacancy of the fire safety officer appointed under sub-section 
(1), either on resignation or otherwise, the factory or the owner and 
occupier or occupiers individually or jointly, as the case may be, shall be 
required to immediate ly appoint the fire safety officer. 
(4) In case of non-appointment of the fire safety officer, as envisaged 
under Sub section (1 ), the Regional Fire Officer or the Chief Fire Officer, as 
the case may be, may take such steps as he deems necessary, which includes 
report to the Labour Commissione r for the closure of the factory and in other 
cases to the relevant authority for necessary action under relevant law. 
CHAPTER III 
REQUISITION , COMPENSATION FOR FIRE EQUIPMENT 
13. (1) Where, the Director or the Chief Fire Officer or any other Fire 
Officer of any author ity, who is in-charge of a fire fighting operation requires 
firefight ing equipment or property of any other authority or any institution or 
individual, he may by order requisite such equipme nt or property for the 
purpose of extinguishing fire in any area and take possession thereof from the 
author ity or any institution or individual, as the case may be. 
Appointme nt of 
Fire Safety 
Officer. 
Requisitio n of 
fire fighting 
property. 
11-12 
Functions in 
case of fire. 
GUJARAT GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, Ex, 01-04-2013 [PART- IV 
(2) As soon as may be, after the firefighting operations are over, such 
officer shall release the equipment or property, taken possession of by 
requisition under sub-section (1) and restore the same to the authority, 
institution or individual from whose possession such property was taken. 
(3) Where any firefighting equipment or property is requisitioned under 
sub-section (I) , there shall be paid to the owner of such property, 
compensation the amount of which shall be determined in accordance with the 
principles hereinafter set out, that is to say,-
(a) where the amount of compensation can be fixed by agreement 
between the Director or, as the case may be, the Chief Fire Officer 
and the owner of the firefighting property, it shall be paid in 
accordance with such agreement; 
(b) where no such agreement can be reached, the Director or, as the case 
may be, the Chief Fire Officer shall refer the matter to the District 
Magistrate having jurisdiction over the area in which the firefighting 
equipment or property was kept, used or procured and the 
· Magistrate shall, after hearing the parties and such other persons as 
be deems necessary, fix the amount of compensation taking into 
consideration the rent which the firefighting equipment or property 
would normally fetch if rented out for a similar purpose. The orders 
of the District Magistrate fixing the amount of compensation shall be 
final. 
14. (1) In case of any fire in any area, the Director or the Regional Fire 
Officer or the Chief Fire Officer or any otlier Fire Officer who is in-charge of 
firefighting operations on the spot may,-
(a) remove, or order any other fire officer or fire personnel to remove, 
any person who by his presence, interferes with· or impedes the 
operations for extinguishing the fire or for saving life or property; 
(b) close any street or passage in or near which fire has taken place; 
( c) break into or through, or pull down, any premises, for the passage 
of hose or appliances or cause them to be broken into or through, or 
pulled down, doing as little damage as possible for the purpose of 
extinguishing fire : 
Provided that, the owner or occupier, as the case may be; of any 
such premises shall be paid reasonable compensation to the extent 
of the damage so caused in such manner as may be prescribed; 
( d) require the authority in-charge of water supply in the area to 
regulate the water mains so as to provide water at a specified 
pressure at the place where the fire has broken out and utilise the 
water of any stream, cistern, well or tank or of any available source 
of water, public or private, for the purpose of extinguishing or 
limiting the spread of such fire; 
PART-IV] GUJARAT GOVERNMENT GAZETTE , Ex, 1-04-2013 
( e) exercise, in the absence of aid from the police, the same powers for 
dispersing an assembly of persons likely to obstruct the fire­
fighting operations as if he were an officer-in-charge of a police 
station; 
(f) generally take such measures as may appear to be necessary for 
extinguishing the fire or for the protection of life or property. 
(2) Any damage cause to any premises or property, due to fire, by 
members of the fire service in the discharge of their duties shall be deemed to 
be damage by fire within the meaning of any policy of insurance against fire. 
15. It shall be lawful for the officer-in-charge of the fire fighting 
operations to draw water from any source in the area which he considers 
necessary for such operations and on such occasions as may be required and 
the authority or owner or occupier having control over such water source shall 
supply water for that purpose at such rates as may be prescribed. 
16. Notwithstanding anything contained in section 14, the Regional Fire 
Office r or the Chief Fire Officer of any authority or any other office r 
authorised in this behalf, may enter into agreement with any person who 
employs and maintains personnel or equipment or both for fire fighting 
purposes, to secure, on such terms as may be prescribed , the prov isions of that 
person of assistance for the purpose of dealing with fires occurring in any area. 
CHAP ER IV 
TRAINING TO FIRE PERSONN EL S 
11-13 
Power to ar range 
supply of water . 
Power to enter 
into agree ment. 
17. (1) The State Government may establish and maintain training Train ing. 
centres in the State for providing courses of instruction in the prevention and 
extinguishme nt of fire for the personne l of any Fire Service and private 
services of industries, hotels, multi-storied buildings and such other 
Government and non-Government establishmen ts as which the State 
Governmen t may specify. 
(2) The State Government may extend the training facilities at such centres 
to be estab lished under sub-sectio n (1) to the fire service under the control of 
local bodies and industrial undertakings on payment of fees as may be 
prescribed. 
(3) The State Government may prescribe such fee and such procedure as it 
may deem fit for providing a course of instruction in the prevention and 
extinguishmen t of fire. 
11-14 
Requirement 
for fire prevention 
and life safety 
measures. 
GUJARAT GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, Ex, 01-04-2013 
CHAPER V 
PROV I SIONS RELATING TO FIRE PREVENT ION AND 
LIFE SAFETY MEASURES 
[PART- IV 
18. (1) Without prejudice to the provisions of any other law or the rules, 
GDCR or building bye-laws made thereunder or the National Building Code 
of India, relating to fire prevention and life safely measures as in operation in 
the State for the time being in force, housing society or the owner or where the 
owner is not traceab le, the occupie r, who arc either individually or j ointly 
responsible, of a building as classified by regulations or part thereof, shall 
provide fire prevention and life safety measures therein: 
Provided that the owner or the occupier, as the case may be, shall, -
(i) provide mm1mum firefighting and life safety installations as 
provided in the regulations; 
(ii) maintain the fire prevention and life safety measures in 
operational condition at all times , in the manner and 
specifications specified in regulations. 
(2) The regulations so made shall be notified in the Official Gazette. 
Mannerof 19. (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time 
compliance for 
prevention and life being in force, -
safety measures. 
(a) no authority empowered to issue the occupancy certificate, shall 
issue the same, unless it is satisfied that the owner or the 
occupier, either individually or ·jointly, has complied with the 
provisions of section 18; 
(b) in case of building or part thereof, on the date of commencement 
of this Act, where development permission is issued and 
construction is not commenced or the construction is commenced 
but not completed or the construction is comp leted but occupancy 
certificate is not issued, and where the housing society or the 
owner or the occupier, individually or jointly liable, as the case 
may be, is required to comply the provisions of section 18, the 
Regional Fire Officer or the Chief Fire Officer, as the case may 
be, shall either suo moto or otherwise serve on the owner or 
occupier, as the case may be, a notice in the manner as may be 
prescribed and direct him to undertake and carryout fire 
prevention and life safety measures, as deemed necessary, within 
two months from the commencement of this Act, or within such 
PART-IV) GUJARAT GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, Ex, 1-04-2013 
period or periods as may be extended by the State Government 
by order in writing: 
Provided that any owner or the occupier, as the case may be, 
who has been served with the notice under clause (b) or not, may 
undertake and carryout fire prevention and life safety measures, 
as required to be complied under the provisions of section 18 or 
as mentioned in th6 notice issued by the Regional Fire Officer or 
the Chief Fire Officer or the nominated officer, as the case may 
be, for getting fire safety certificate. 
(2) The owner or the occupier, individually or jointly, as the case may be, 
shall inform to the Regional Fire Officer or the Chief Fire Officer or the 
nominated officer, about the compliance with respect to sub-section ( l ). 
(3) The owners or occupiers, as the case may be, who are liable 
individually or jointly, for the building or part thereof, shall furnish to the 
Regional Fire Officer or the Chief Fire Officer or the nominated officer, 
certificate regarding the maintenance and operational condition of fire 
prevention and life safety measures, as specified by the regulations, issued by 
a Licensed Agency regarding the compliance of the fire prevention and life 
safety measures as required under the provisions of section 18. 
20. The owners or occupiers, as the case may be, individually or jointly, 
who are liable to provide fire protection and life safety measures in building or 
part of building or premises, who, at any time, fail to comply with regard to 
sub-section ( 1) of section 19, shall be deemed to be in default. In case, where 
a fire safety certificate is issued earlier shall remain suspended for a period 
from the date of the notice for non-compliance issued by the Regional Fire 
Officer or . the Chief Fire Officer or nominated officer and till the date 
compliance is made to the satisfaction of the Regional Fire Officer or the 
Chief Fire officer or nominated officer, as the case may be, and the same shall 
be duly recorded on the fire safety certificate. 
21. (1) The Regional Fire Officer or the Chief Fire Officer or the 
nominated officer, as the case may be, may scrutinise the compliances, with 
regard to the requirement of section 18, made by the owners or the occupiers, 
as the case may be, either independently or jointly, may after making 
necessary inquiry, if any, issue fire safety certificate. 
(2) If the owner or occupier, as the case may be,' fails to comply with the 
directions issued by the Regional Fire Officer or the Chief Fire Officer or the 
nominated officer, the fire safety certificate, issued under sub-section (1) shall 
be cancelled after giving owner or occupier an· opportunity of hearing to show­
cause. 
11-15 
Consequences 
for 
non-compliance 
of section 19. 
Suspension, 
termination and 
punishment 
11-16 
Safety Measures for 
fire hazardous 
materials. 
Assistance of 
police in fire 
prevention and 
firefighting 
operation. 
Power to entry 
and Inspect. 
GUJARAT GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, Ex, 01-04-2013 [PART-IV 
(3) The owner or occup ier of the building or premises whose fire safety 
certificate has been cancelled due to default on his part, shall not be entitled to 
occupy the building or premises on the ground of non-compliance of fire 
prevention and life safety measures under section 18. 
(4) No person shall tamper with, alter, remove or cause any injury or 
damage to any fire prevention and life safety equipment installed in any suc h 
building or part thereof or instigate any other person to do so. 
22. (1) The State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, 
frame the regulation s in resJ:>ect of categorization of fire hazardous materials, 
trade and premises used for such purposes. 
(2) Upon issuances of notification under sub-section ( 1) it shall be lawful 
for the Director or the Regional Fire Officer or the Chief Fire Officer or the 
nominated officer or any fire officer authorised either by the Director or the 
Regional Fire Officer or the Chief Fire Officer to direct the removal of objects 
or goods likely to cause the risk of fire, to a place of safety and on failure by 
the owner or occupier to do so, the Director or the Regional Fire Officer or the 
Chief Fire Officer or fire officer may, after giving the owner or occupier a 
reasonable opportunity of making the representation, seize, detain or remove 
such objects or goods. The opportunity of representation as aforesaid may be 
dispensed with to avoid an imminent or alarming foreseeable risk of fire. 
23. In firefighting operations or any other duties relating to seizure, 
detention or removal of any goods involving risk of fire, it shall be the duty of 
a police officer or members of the police force to assist and aid to the Director 
or such fire officer in performance of such duties under this Act. 
24. . (1) The Director or the Regional J:~re Officer or the Chief Fire Officer 
or the Nominated Officer may, after giving three hours' notice to the housing 
society or occupier or if there is no occupier, to the owner of any place or 
building or part thereof , as the case may be, enter and inspect such place or 
building or part thereof at any time between sunrise and sunset where such 
inspection appears necessary for ascertaining the adequacy or contravention of 
fire prevention and life safety measures: 
Provided that, the Director or the Regional Fire Officer or the Chief 
Fire Officer or the Nominated Officer may enter into and inspect any such 
place or building or part thereof at any time if an industry is working or an 
entertainment or function is going on at such place, building or part thereof, or 
if it appears to him to be expedient and necessary to do so in order to ensure 
safety of life and property. 
PART - IV] GUJARAT GOVERNMENT GAZETT E, Ex, 1-04-2013 11-17 
(2) The Director or the Regional Fire Officer or the Chief Fire Officer or 
the Nominated Officer shall be provided with all possible assistance by the 
owne r or occupier, as the case may be, of such place _or building or part 
thereof for carrying out the inspection under sub-section ( 1 ). 
(3) The owner or occupier or any other person shall not obstruct or cause 
any obstruction te the entry of a person empowered or authorised under this 
section into or upon any land or building or shall not molest such person after 
such entry for inspection. 
(4) When any such place or building or part thereof used as a human 
dwelling is entered under sub-section (1 ), due regard shall be paid to the social 
and religious sentiments of the occupiers; and before any flat, apartment or a 
part of such building in the actual occupancy of any woman, who, according 
to the custom does not appear in public, is entered under sub-section (1 ), 
notice shall be given to her that she is at liberty to withdraw, and every 
reasonable facility shall be afforded to her for withdrawing. 
(5) Where the inspection is carried out by the Nominated Officer under the 
preceding provi sions of this section, he shall give a report of such inspection 
to the Director or the Regional Fire Officer or the Chief Fire Officer of the 
authority concerned. 
25. (1) Without prejudice to the prosecution for an offence of non­
compliance of the notice issued under clause (b) of sub-sect ion ( 1) of section 
19, the Director or the Regional Fire Officer or the Chief Fire Officer may, in 
the event of non-compliance of any such notice, take such steps including 
exercising the power to have th6 place, building or any part thereof sealed and 
I or disconnected facilities of water, power and drainage under section 26, as 
may be necessary for the compliance of such notice. 
(2) All expenses incurred by the Director or the Regional Fire Officer or 
the Chief Fire Officer in relation to any steps taken by him under sub-section 
(1) shall be payable on demand, by the owner or occupier on whom such 
notice is served, and shall, if not paid within fifteen days after such demand be 
recoverable, as if it were the arrears of tax on property and the provisions 
under the relevant law or any other Jaw for the time being in force and is in 
operation within the area of jurisdiction of the local autho rity concerned for 
recovery of arrears of tax on property, shall apply mutatis mutandis for such 
recovery as they apply to the recovery of arrears of tax on property or where 
any such law is not in opera tion then, as an arrears of land revenue. 
26. (1) If the Direct or or the Regional Fire Officer or the Chief Fire Officer 
is satis fied that due to inadequacy of fire prevention and life safety measures 
the condition of any place or building or part thereof is in imminent danger to 
person or property, then notwithstanding anything conta ined in this Act, or 
any other law for the time being in force, he shall, by order in writing, require 
Steps to be 
taken for 
non· 
compliance 
of notice. 
Evacuatio n 
and power 
to seal. 
11-18 
Provisions 
for 
temporary 
structures. 
GUJARAT GOVERNMENT GAZE11'E, Ex, 01-04-2013 [PART- IV 
the persons in possession or in occupation of such place or building or part 
thereof to remove themselves forthwith from such place or building or part 
thereof. 
(2) If an order made by the Director or the Regional Fire Officer or the 
Chief Fire Officer under sub-section (1) is not complied with, he may direct, -
(a) the authority responsible for supply of electricity or supply of water, 
to disconnect the supply of electricity or water, as the case may be; 
(b) any police officer having jurisdiction in the area, to remove such 
persons from such place or building or part thereof and such 
authority or police officer shall comply with such directions. 
(3) After the removal of the persons under sub-section (1) or sub-section 
(2), as the case may be, the Director or the Regional Fire Officer or the Chief 
Fire Officer shall cause such place or building or part thereof, to be sealed by 
such police officer forthwith. 
( 4) No person shall remove such seal except under a written order made by 
the Director or the Regional Fire Officer or the Chief Fire Officer suo motu or 
on an application of the owner or occupier . 
CHAPTER . VI 
PROVISIONS FOR TEMPORARY STRUCTURES 
27. (1) The State Government may by notification in the Official Gazette, 
declare any class of temporary occupancy .such as a mandap, shamiyana or 
tents or such other temporary structures for hosting any event, which, in its 
opinion, is likely to cause a risk of fire. 
(2) The measures for fire prevention and life safety to be taken by the 
promoter, organiser, owner or occupier of such premises where such 
temporary structures are likdy lo take place or the erectors of temporary 
structures or shamiyana or tents or mandap, as the case tnay be, shall be such 
as may be prescribed. 
(3) The Regional Fire Officer or the Chief Fire Officer or the Nominated 
Officer may grant permission for the use of the temporary structures or 
shamiyana or tents or mandap, as the case may be, ensuring an undertaking in 
the· prescribed form is given by the promoter, organiser, owner or occupier. 
PART-IV] GUJARAT GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, Ex, 1-04-2013 11-19 
(4) The Director or the Regional Fire Officer or the Chief Fire Officer or 
the Nominated Officer may enter and inspect any temporary structure about 
the correctness of the declaration and may poinl out the inadequacy , if any , 
with a direction to comply within a specified

Excerpt shown. Open the full act in Lexace.

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