India, Aug. 26 -- The MC will again table its proposal for adopting provisions of the 'Haryana Fire Safety Act' for Chandigarh, which, if approved, will lower the threshold for mandatory fire safety clearance from 15 metres to 9 metres. Currently, the Delhi Fire Prevention and Fire Safety Act, 1986, which mandates fire safety certificates (FSC) only for buildings taller than 15 metres (high-rises), is applicable in Chandigarh. However, MC officials pointed out that even the Delhi government has repealed this legislation and replaced it with the Delhi Fire Service Act, 2007. Given Chandigarh's unique character, with its many heritage buildings, the stringent provisions under the current Act have often resulted in non-compliance with fire safety norms. Recognising the need for a more tailored law, the civic body's committee conducted a detailed review of fire safety legislation in neighbouring states, including Punjab and Haryana. After extensive deliberations and suggestions from committee members, the MC is now proposing to adopt the Haryana Fire and Emergency Service Act, 2022, (Extension to Chandigarh) Act, 2025. Under the proposed Act, fire safety certificates or no-objection certificates (NOCs) will also be compulsory for all high-rise buildings-except residential buildings up to a height of 16.5 metres-and for special buildings such as hotels, business centres, industrial units, and mixed-occupancy structures with a floor area over 200 square metres on any one or more floors. Educational buildings taller than 9 metres, all assembly buildings with an assembly area exceeding 300 square metres on any floor, and buildings with two or more basements-or a single basement larger than 100 square metres-will require clearances, unless exempted. Violations could attract imprisonment for up to three months, a fine of up to Rs.50,000, or both....