Chandigarh administration empowered to levy fire tax on buildings

Chandigarh: The Chandigarh administration will now be empowered to levy a fire tax or cess on buildings paying property tax under the municipal corporation following the extension of the Haryana Fire and Emergency Services Act, 2022, to the Union Territory of Chandigarh.Under the new provisions, the fire tax will be charged as a percentage of property tax at rates to be decided by the administration from time to time.The move comes as part of a major overhaul of Chandigarh’s fire safety framework, replacing the decades-old Delhi Fire Prevention and Fire Safety Act, 1986, currently in force.Under the new framework, the validity of fire safety certificates (FSCs) has been extended from three years to five years. The law clearly defines the powers and responsibilities of the Chief Fire Officer and other authorities to ensure transparent and time-bound approvals and enforcement.A key shift is the move towards a rationalised penalty mechanism that relies more on administrative penalties rather than stringent criminal provisions. This aims to promote voluntary compliance while enabling faster enforcement.Additionally, licensed agencies will play a larger role in professional assessment and certification of fire safety measures to improve compliance and reduce delays. In exceptional cases, the Chief Fire Officer can authorise other persons to carry out the work.Self-certification provision introduced. Owners or occupiers must submit an annual self-declaration certificate confirming that the firefighting systems are in good condition and there have been no unauthorised additions or alterations. The Fire Officer may conduct random checks.The reforms are expected to modernise fire safety enforcement, enhance preparedness and ensure better protection for residents while streamlining processes for building owners.BOX1: The height of a building by itself shall not constitute a limiting factor for approval.The Act adopts a risk-based approach to fire safety. Norms will now be determined by factors such as the building’s nature and use, occupant load, evacuation capacity and existing safety measures, rather than rigid criteria like building height alone.All high-rise buildings — except residential structures up to 16.5 metres — will require a fire safety certificate. Several categories of “special buildings” will also need mandatory FSCs, including hotels, educational, institutional, business, mercantile, industrial, storage, hazardous and mixed-occupancy buildings with floor area exceeding 500 square metres on any floor. Educational and institutional buildings 9 metres and above, assembly buildings, structures with significant incidental assembly occupancy and buildings with two or more basements (or one large basement over 500 sq m) are also covered.BOX2: OTHER KEY PROVISIONSCharging for fire services: Provisions have been made for charging other govt bodies or local authorities when Chandigarh’s fire services are deployed beyond the UT’s limits on their request. No charges will apply for operations within the state.The administration will also provide adequate compensation to fire personnel who die or become permanently disabled while on duty.The legislation also enables the administration to establish a training institute for fire service personnel and private candidates from industries, high-rises and other establishments.To ensure effective fire prevention and life safety measures in all buildings as required under this Act and the rules made thereunder, every owner or occupier, individually or jointly, as the case may be, shall appoint a Fire Safety Officer, having such qualifications and eligibility criteria, as may be prescribed.