Karnataka prescribes proportionate fire safety measures for hospitals below high-rise category

The State government on Friday issued an order prescribing minimum fire safety norms for hospital buildings that do not come under the high-rise category (within 20.99 metres).

This has brought long-awaited procedural clarity for small medical facilities, clinics, diagnostic centres and day-care facilities housed in non high-rise buildings that had struggled for years to secure fire clearances for Karnataka Private Medical Establishments Act (KPMEA) registration and renewal.

Based on building height

The Government Order, issued by the Home Department on January 9, 2026, directed the Department of Fire and Emergency Services to issue fire advisory certificates based on building height and built-up area of hospital buildings rather than whole-building compliance.

Hospitals that do not come under the non high-rise category of buildings will have to follow minimum equipment requirements specified for hospitals and clinics as per the National Building Code and existing rules. The list of equipment varies depending on building height and total built-up area, the GO stated.

Procedural delays

Multiple directives mandating fire No-Objection Certificates (NOC) under the Karnataka Private Medical Establishments (KPME) Act had resulted in procedural delays, particularly for establishments operating from rented floors of multi-storey buildings. Fire clearances are provided for entire buildings and not for selective occupancies, leading to administrative bottlenecks.

In several districts, local authorities were required to seek approvals from Bengaluru even for small facilities located in distant taluks, delaying renewals and empanelment under government health schemes.

The Home Department’s order categorises healthcare establishments based on height, floor area, bed capacity and functional scope, prescribing proportionate safety measures for each. The Health Department has been tasked with verifying compliance among institutions under its jurisdiction, while the Fire and Emergency Services Department retains the power to inspect facilities at any time.

IMA welcomes move

The Indian Medical Association – Karnataka State Branch (IMA-KSB) has welcomed the order, calling it a clear, uniform and practical framework that balances patient safety with continuity of healthcare services.

IMA-KSB president Veerabhadraiah T.A. said that the absence of uniform, size-specific norms had earlier resulted in varied interpretations of the National Building Code by district-level fire authorities, affecting smaller clinics and diagnostic centres in particular.

“This Government Order is a progressive and timely step. Patient safety admits of no compromise and any framework that strengthens safety while ensuring ethical and uninterrupted healthcare deserves support,” Dr. Veerabhadraiah told The Hindu.

He pointed out that several States, including Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, had already adopted hospital-specific fire safety approaches, improving compliance without burdening smaller facilities.

IMA-KSB urged doctors, hospitals, clinics and diagnostic centres to familiarise themselves with the new requirements and ensure compliance “in both letter and spirit.”