Himachal Hotelier’s Seek Relaxation in Fire Safety Norms Amid Compliance Challenges
Hoteliers in Himachal of popular tourist destinations like Shimla, Manali , Kasauli and Dharamshala are urging the government to ease fire safety regulations, especially for older establishments that are finding it increasingly difficult to comply with the current norms outlined in the National Building Code (NBC) of 2016.
Many of these hotels, built decades ago and homestays wanting to be converted into Hotels, are now caught in a compliance bind. Under current rules, all tourism units must renew their no-objection certificates (NOC) from the Fire Department every two years. The process is now online, but the rigid fire safety guidelines often stall these renewals, creating roadblocks for business continuity.
“Infrastructure limitations in buildings make it tough to meet the standards set by the NBC. This is directly affecting our ability to renew licenses and continue operations,” said a hotelier.
The NBC 2016 lays down detailed fire safety norms, ranging from fire detection and suppression systems to safe evacuation mechanisms. Key requirements include the installation of large water tanks, automated fire alarms, water sprinkler systems, and high-decibel smoke detectors that can alert sleeping guests. The code also emphasizes fire compartmentalization, clearly marked emergency exits, and regular safety audits and training.
However, for the hotels tucked away in hills, adapting to these standards isn’t straightforward. “Unlike sprawling resorts with multiple exits, hotels built in narrow, multi-storey structures have limited scope to add new safety features,” explained Hoteliers Association.
The hoteliers pointed out the financial burden associated with upgrades. Bed and breakfast units and home stays, which usually operate within a compact space, are especially struggling due to the high cost of installation and structural changes required to comply with the NBC guidelines.
The Planning Area in hills— which includes a mix of hotels, B&Bs, home stays, and resorts — hosts nearly a quarter of the region’s tourism accommodations. Many of these smaller units, vital to local tourism, now find themselves grappling with the risk of closure or penalties due to their inability to meet these modern standards.
Local hoteliers are hopeful that authorities will consider amending or simplifying the fire safety norms for older buildings, ensuring guest safety without compromising the viability of long-standing tourism establishments.
