Jaipur: Rajasthan’s Local Self Government (LSG) department has enforced new fire-safety norms that are set to influence the design of residential and commercial buildings, with architects warning that mandatory additional staircases could reduce usable carpet area and built-up area ratio (BAR), particularly on smaller urban plots.The Urban Development and Housing (UDH) department implemented the Provisions for Fire Prevention, Life Safety and Fire Protection Measures for All Types of Buildings in Rajasthan on June 16, 2026.A UDH official said the rules mandate a minimum of two staircases in all buildings requiring a fire no-objection certificate (NOC). “One of the provisions mentions that all buildings requiring a fire NOC shall have a minimum of two staircases. Another clarifies that all multi-unit residential buildings of 9 metres and above or 250 sq m and above need an NOC from the fire department. The regulation also applies to all commercial buildings of 9 metres and above,” the official said.Architects empanelled with the UDH department said the new requirement would make planning more challenging, as accommodating a second staircase could significantly reduce usable space, especially on smaller plots.Architect Lokesh Garg said the impact would be particularly significant within Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) limits, where the maximum permissible height for a three-storey building is 10 metres, bringing most such structures within the ambit of the new rules.“Calculation says if we reduce the height of a three-storey building to a little below 9 m in the building plan, you won’t need to construct the second staircase. Your clients can save the carpet area and BAR,” Garg said.Officials, however, fear the provision could encourage builders to understate proposed heights in sanctioned plans while constructing taller buildings on site.“There are strong apprehensions that the tendency will be to show that the building is below 9 m in the building plan. But, in reality, the size of the building will be more than 9 m,” an official said.
