How to get Fire Safety Clearance Certificate in Kerala?

Fire clearance certificate in Kerala indicates that the building is designed as per the norms and regulations that a high-rise building must have to avoid any hazardous accidents. It is issued by the Fire department of the Kerala State before the building construction.

Documents Required

The following are the documents required for Fire Safety Clearance Certificate in Kerala.

• Relevant application cum checklist (3 nos)

• Fire system plans (3 sets)

• Original challan of fee payment at the treasury

• Affidavit by applicant

• Civil plans (3 sets) duly approved by LSGD Engineer and Secretary

Apply Online for Fire Safety Clearance Certificate

Follow the below steps to apply online for Fire Safety Clearance Certificate in Kerala.

• Register in KSWIFT website. Kerala Single Window Interface for Fast and Transparent (KSWIFT) is the platform for all transactions with the Government of Kerala on the issue of granting licences and approvals in a time-bound manner. KSWIFT is expected to reduce the physical touchpoints in the entire clearance process, thereby making the entire process more efficient and effective.

• Once registered, log in to KSWIFT website.

• Click on New Project to enter details about your enterprise.

• Fill the questionnaire on a proposed enterprise.

• List of approvals required will be displayed

• Fill the Common Application Form.

• Upload Supporting Documents.

• You have to make the required fee for the processing of your application.

• The processing of the application will be done by relevant departments/agencies.

• Approvals will be issued by departments/agencies after due verification.

Inspection Procedure

A. Pre-Inspection

A preliminary checking shall be done on the documents submitted by the applicant in terms of completeness and status of the construction of the building and installation of FFFI with respect to the category of industry.

B. Inspection

• The inspection shall be made during regular working hours of the establishment/industry except when special circumstances indicate otherwise.

• At the beginning of the inspection, the inspector shall locate the occupier/representative of the occupier/person in charge of the industry and information about the purpose of the proposed inspection.

• The inspector shall inspect the following:

A. Boundaries of the site and compliance

B. Height of the building

C. Clearance from Electric lines

D. Width of Access Road

E. Safety of staircases as per criteria in the checklist (main staircases and fire escape staircases)

F. Exit pathways and signage to the nearest exit

G. Emergency and escape lighting

H. Accessibility and ventilation of basements

I. Safety of service ducts and shafts

J. Compartmentalization of large areas

K. Availability of the static water storage tank

L. Provisions for storage of flammable liquids and gases.

M. Installation of fire-fighting installations and alarm systems

N. Parameters as per checklist for the following

i) Fire Lift

ii) Fire Control Room

iii) Helipad

iv) Refuge Area

v) Open space for HRB

• The inspector should collect photographic evidence if any noncompliance has been observed.

• The inspection board may seek information/clarifications or documentary evidence from the owner or authorized representative or occupier to ascertain the correctness of the application.

• If any applicant / authorized representative of the industry willfully delays or obstructs the inspector in carrying out an inspection, the same shall be recorded in the inspection report for taking further necessary action in the matter.

• At the end of the inspection, the Inspector may inform the representative of the industry about apparent non-compliance observed during the inspection so that the industry may initiate necessary corrective action wherever required.

C. Post Inspection

1. A decision-based inspection shall be taken within the timeline.

2. All observations of the inspection along with photographic evidence of non-compliance should be included as part of the report.

3. Noncompliance areas should be listed in the report along with additional measures that need to be taken by the applicant to ensure compliance.

4. Noncompliance areas should be listed along with the relevant section of the checklist for which it is a violation.

Time Required

The following are the time required to get a Fire Safety Clearance Certificate in Kerala.

• Above 15 metres in height – 18 days.

• 16 – 24 metres in height – 26 days.

• 24 – 45 metres in height – 43 days.

• Above 45 metres in height – 38 days.

Application Status

Application status for the Fire Safety Clearance Certificate in Kerala will be available in K-Swift website.

Contact Person

• Building Height Below 10 metres - concerned Assistant Divisional Officer.

• Building Height 10 metres and above and up to 24 metres - concerned Divisional Officer.

• Building Height above 24 metres- Director Technical, Headquarters, Thiruvananthapuram.