Overview
The data centre is now classified as critical infrastructure in Telangana. To address its unique fire hazards, the Telangana Fire Department released specialised fire‑safety guidelines on 28 Oct 2026. These rules apply to all applications for a provisional Fire NOC submitted on or after 6 Nov 2026.
Key Developments
- Mandatory automatic sprinkler systems in all administrative zones.
- Technical zones (server halls, UPS rooms, etc.) must install either water‑mist or clean‑agent gas systems.
- Comprehensive fire detection, alarm, compartmentation, and dedicated firefighting shafts are required throughout the facility.
- Specific provisions for battery, UPS, transformer, and switchgear rooms, including fire‑risk assessment, ventilation, fire‑rated separation, and emergency shutdown.
- Fuel storage and other high‑risk zones must have tailored protection measures.
- Integration of fire‑detection and suppression systems with building‑management and emergency‑response platforms.
Important Facts
The guidelines recognise that fire risk assessment in data centres differs from conventional office blocks because of the presence of UPS units, large battery banks, transformers, generators, and dense cabling. Consequently, the norms emphasize:
- Zero accumulation of combustible waste such as cardboard, wooden pallets, and packaging in server halls.
- Dedicated wet risers, sufficient water storage, and high‑capacity pumps to meet the increased demand of water‑mist or sprinkler systems.
- Provision of refuge areas and clear evacuation routes for the relatively small workforce present in these facilities.
- Special design criteria for basements and other critical infrastructure zones.
Scrutinising officers are instructed to verify that the fire‑safety design approved by the department is fully implemented before granting the NOC.
Exam Relevance
These guidelines intersect with multiple UPSC syllabus areas:
- GS III – Infrastructure & Economy: Data centres are pivotal for the digital economy, attracting investment and enabling e‑governance.
- GS IV – Disaster Management: The norms illustrate a proactive approach to fire safety, a key component of disaster‑risk reduction.
- GS II – Polity: The role of the Director General of Fire Services and the procedural link between fire‑department clearances and state‑level industrial policy.
Understanding these regulations helps aspirants analyse how state governments balance rapid infrastructure growth with safety and sustainability.
Way Forward
For smooth implementation, the Telangana government should:
- Conduct capacity‑building workshops for fire‑officers and data‑centre developers on the new norms.
- Set up a monitoring cell to periodically audit compliance post‑NOC issuance.
- Encourage adoption of advanced, low‑water‑damage suppression technologies to protect high‑value equipment.
- Integrate these fire‑safety standards with broader state policies on attracting data‑centre investments, ensuring that safety does not become a bottleneck.
By aligning safety standards with investment incentives, Telangana can foster a secure, resilient digital infrastructure that supports its economic ambitions.