Karachi: The Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) has announced that fire safety infrastructure will now be a mandatory component of all new building projects across the province. The revised rules, notified as part of the Karachi Building and Town Planning Regulations (Amendment) 2026, came into immediate effect on Monday.
Under the new framework, all public sale projects, industrial buildings, and amenity plots must include dedicated underground and overhead water tanks specifically for firefighting purposes. SBCA Director General Muzamil Hussain Halepoto said the measure ensures that firefighting resources become a core structural element rather than an afterthought.
Developers are also required to submit certified Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) drawings, signed by qualified professionals, demonstrating compliance with fire safety standards before final construction permits are issued. No completion plan for public sale, industrial, or amenity buildings will be approved without obtaining No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from the Civil Defence Department, Fire Brigade, or relevant municipal authorities.
The amended regulations also introduce enhanced fire preparedness for retail and commercial establishments. Each shop must now have at least one fire extinguisher, while department stores are required to provide one extinguisher for every 400 square feet of covered area.
In addition to fire safety, the amendments include structural administrative reforms. Licensing procedures for building professionals have been centralised, with all new and renewal licences to be issued through SBCA headquarters. Approved licences will now be valid province-wide, ensuring consistent standards across Sindh.
Parking requirements have also been revised to improve access for emergency response vehicles. Developers must now provide additional motorcycle parking alongside designated spaces for visitors and the general public in commercial zones.
SBCA officials described the updates as a decisive regulatory step to prevent urban fire accidents and strengthen overall structural oversight.
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