Daman and Diu Enforces New Fire Safety Law to Prevent Deadly Blaze Incidents

VAPI :  In a major step to prevent devastating fire accidents, the Union Territory of Daman and Diu has enforced the Daman and Diu Fire and Emergency Service Regulation, 2026, introducing strict fire safety norms for industries, hospitals, hotels, malls, schools, and high-rise buildings. The new law shifts the focus from reacting to fires to preventing them through regular inspections, fire audits, and strict compliance.

The regulation comes amid growing concerns over repeated fire incidents in industrial units, hotels, warehouses, commercial complexes, and residential buildings in the Union Territory. Authorities said the law is designed to protect lives and property by ensuring that fire safety becomes a mandatory part of every establishment’s operations.

Under the new regulation, the Fire Department has been empowered to conduct inspections, carry out fire safety audits, assess risks, issue fire No Objection Certificates (NOCs), serve show-cause notices, and initiate legal action against violators.

“Fire safety can no longer be treated as a formality. Prevention is the best protection,” fire safety officials said. “The new regulation gives the department stronger powers to identify risks before they turn into disasters.”

Industries dealing with chemicals, solvents, gases, plastic granules, pharmaceuticals, textiles, engineering products, and packaging materials will face stricter compliance requirements. They must maintain emergency response plans, conduct regular mock drills, train employees, and ensure proper maintenance of firefighting equipment.

The regulation also introduces tighter standards for hospitals, making fire safety systems mandatory in ICUs, operation theatres, oxygen line areas, generator rooms, and emergency exits. Hotels and resorts must now maintain evacuation plans, smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, and staff training programmes.

Builders seeking completion certificates for new projects will also have to meet enhanced fire safety requirements.

Fire safety experts said overloaded electrical systems, blocked emergency exits, poor maintenance, and negligence remain the leading causes of fire accidents. They believe strict implementation of the new regulation will significantly reduce such incidents. Authorities have also introduced penal and criminal provisions against those who fail to comply with the law, sending a strong message that fire safety violations will no longer be tolerated.