Telangana issues fire safety guidelines for data centres, sets November 6 deadline
Hyderabad: The Telangana Fire Department issued special fire safety guidelines for data centres to strengthen emergency preparedness and expedite Fire No Objection Certificate (NOC) approvals.
The new regulations will apply to applications for provisional Fire NOCs submitted from November 6, 2026. Director General of Telangana Fire, Disaster Response, Emergency and Civil Defence Department Vikram Singh Mann issued the guidelines through a circular dated October 28, 2026.
The department introduced the measures to address the operational requirements and specific fire risks associated with data centres. It also sought to improve the ease and speed of doing business.
Fire safety guidelines for data centres specify protection systems
The fire safety guidelines for data centres prescribe specialised detection, alarm and suppression systems to protect critical infrastructure. The regulations require appropriate fire compartmentation, firefighting facilities, water storage and pumping arrangements.
Administrative areas must have automatic sprinkler systems. However, technical areas require suitable water-mist or clean-agent gas suppression systems. The guidelines also prescribe additional safety measures for battery rooms, uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems, transformers and electrical switchgear.
Similarly, generator installations and fuel storage areas must meet specific fire protection requirements. The department has included provisions covering ventilation, emergency shutdown arrangements, fire-rated separation and comprehensive fire risk assessments.
Special safeguards for technical areas and basements
The circular directs data centre operators to integrate fire protection equipment with building management and emergency systems. Additionally, the regulations require measures to prevent combustible materials from accumulating in data halls and other critical areas.
The department has also prescribed specific fire safety provisions for basements and essential infrastructure. These requirements seek to address fire hazards in areas containing electrical equipment, backup power systems and other critical installations.
The guidelines cover both active fire protection systems and structural safeguards designed to contain potential fire incidents. Scrutinising officers must verify compliance with the prescribed conditions and approved fire safety designs before processing applications.
The fire safety guidelines for data centres will govern provisional Fire NOC applications submitted from November 6. The department said the initiative aimed to strengthen fire prevention and emergency preparedness while supporting data centre infrastructure development in Telangana.
The new framework also seeks to accelerate Fire NOC approvals without compromising safety requirements for critical facilities. The detailed guidelines are available on the Telangana Fire Department’s official website at [www.fire.telangana.gov.in].