11th annual FLPFI Members’ Forum sharpens focus on NBC enforcement
15th December 2025
The two-day members’ forum, that took place on the 21st and 22nd November, saw fire safety and leading building regulation experts gather together to assess and discuss the most pertinent methods of implementing and enforcing fire regulations and the opportunity of a revised National Building Code of India 2025.
Day one involved a slightly different format to usual, with all members taking part in two informative and eye-opening educational field visits. The trips, arranged by Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services, saw the attendees visit an automative instrumentation manufacturing facility and a garments manufacturing premises in Coimbatore. The visits provided a useful view of current practices and industrial installations.
The second day included a debrief of the visits undertaken by members on the day before by Srikanth Yaijala and Veda Selvakumar. This was closely followed by an insightful opening presentation from Fire & Life Safety Consultant, Abhay Purandare, on competence and capacity building for effective implementation of a revised Code.
The heightened focus on enforcement was further illustrated by Santosh Warick, Director, Maharasthra Fire Services & Chief Fire Officer at MIDC Fire Service, whose thought-provoking presentation revolved around the fire regulations in Maharastra.
Taking equal precedence were the individual fire regulations of Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Goa and Andhra Pradesh. The enforcement of each region’s regulations were the subjects of the various insightful presentations, which saw Nalin Chaudhary –Director of Gujarat Fire Prevention Services, S Vijayasekar – former Addl. Director in the Tamil Nadu Fire Service, Nitin V Raikar – Director of Fire and Emergency Services in Goa, and Murali Mohan – Andhra Pradesh’s Fire Services Director – each leading the respective discussions.
FM’s Principal Code Consultant, Thomas Roche, then provided the attendees with hugely useful insight into the implementation and enforcement of building regulations from an international perspective.
Day two closed with a lively debate and discussion on the challenges and opportunities highlighted throughout the forum and the importance of identifying a clear pathway towards the effective implementation and enforcement of the most up-to-date regulations and the NBC. V Suresh – Chairman of NBC and S K Dheri – Convener, Panel for Part 4 of NBC apprised forum members on the ongoing discussion of BIS with the Deregulation Cell. The Forum opined that a model code has advantages for consistency across the large nation of India. Further that any dilution of fire and life safety requirements of NBC could compromise the safety of buildings and occupants. However, in keeping with international examples it would be prudent to consider land use zoning, height and set back restrictions to aid the aspirations of the country for growth and how if they were amended what implications that would have within Part 4 of NBC.
The well-attended two-day event perfectly highlighted the need for ongoing efforts to strengthen the enforcement of fire regulations and the NBC but also provided a glimpse into what a safer built environment across India could look like.
The FLPFI is a not-for-profit organisation that aims to help drive regulatory change and promote best practice. It’s ‘build to last’ philosophy focuses on loss prevention standards and loss prevention technologies that support building resilience in India.
For more information about the FLPFI visit www.flpfi.com