Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Directorate of Fire and Emergency Services, Goa, has announced major reforms to strengthen fire safety compliance and improve public service delivery in line with the Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) guidelines.
As per the new notification, the validity of Fire Safety No Objection Certificates (NOCs) has been extended from one year to five years for both low-risk and high-risk buildings. Owners and occupiers are required to submit an annual self-declaration confirming that all fire protection systems are properly maintained and functional.
After five years, the NOC will be renewed following an inspection to verify that systems are in working condition. The Designated Officer retains the authority to carry out inspections at any time and revoke the NOC after due process if any deficiencies are detected.
In a parallel move, the government has issued new guidelines for the empanelment, licensing, and regulation of agencies involved in third-party audits, installation of fire protection systems, and certification of fire safety compliance. Only agencies licensed by the Directorate will be permitted to carry out these activities. The entire process — including application, approval, monitoring, and renewal — will be conducted online through the State Single Window System. Licensing will be restricted to qualified agencies and professionals meeting all technical, financial, and statutory requirements. The Directorate will also maintain a publicly accessible dashboard listing all licensed agencies, while random quality inspections will be conducted to ensure compliance.
Additionally, the Directorate has announced that all its public services — including NOC application and renewal, agency licensing, and related services — are now fully online. Director Nitin Raikar stated that these reforms are part of the government’s efforts to modernize fire safety governance, enhance transparency, and streamline service delivery across the state.
