India's Skyscrapers Face Scrutiny Over Safety Standards

India’s major cities are witnessing a visible shift in their skylines. The skyscraper trend is visible across Mumbai, Delhi-NCR, Hyderabad and Bengaluru. Developers are building higher than ever before. But in this race towards the sky, basic safety provisions cannot be overlooked. The National Building Code (NBC), published by the Bureau of Indian Standards, sets the safety standards for high-rise buildings. Most states have incorporated these guidelines into their local rules. Under the code, any building above 15 metres is classified as a high-rise. While the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs frames the policy framework, implementation and inspections are carried out by municipal bodies such as the MCD in Delhi or the BMC in Mumbai. Fire services departments are specifically responsible for ensuring fire safety compliance.

Here is what the code mandates:

High-rise structures must be built using durable, high-quality steel and concrete. In earthquake-prone regions like Delhi-NCR, due to its proximity to the Himalayas, structural safeguards such as base isolators and flexible foundations are essential. The NBC mandates automatic sprinkler systems, smoke detectors and fire alarms in all high-rise buildings. As per Part 4 of the NBC, buildings taller than 15 metres must have refuge areas every 24 metres, and thereafter at intervals of 15 metres. A minimum of two staircases is compulsory, built with non-combustible materials. One fire-resistant elevator with automatic recall must also be provided exclusively for firefighting use. A dedicated firefighting water system, with underground tanks and rooftop reservoirs, is required to keep hydrants pressurised. For buildings up to 60 metres, this typically includes a minimum 50,000-litre tank. Most structures also require two pumps (electric and diesel) along with a jockey pump to maintain consistent pressure. On the electrical safety front, periodic inspections are mandated under the Indian Electricity Rules, 1956. Lightning protection systems, designed as per IS/IEC 62305, are required to protect structures, internal electrical systems and occupants from storm-related damage. In addition, periodic insulation resistance and earth resistance testing is compulsory under the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) Safety Regulations.