Fire safety becomes mandatory component of building approval, completion process

KARACHI (Dunya News) - Following the Gul Plaza tragedy, fire safety has officially become a mandatory, non-negotiable component of the building approval and completion process across the Sindh province.

Amendments have been introduced to strengthen fire safety and building compliance, and the Sindh Building Control Authority has issued a notification in this regard. The amendments have come into effect under the Karachi Building and Town Planning Regulations.

For public sale projects and industrial buildings, planning for underground and overhead water tanks for firefighting will now be mandatory. Water storage for fire extinguishing must be permanently incorporated into the building design.

Internal fire safety standards for commercial buildings have also been further tightened.