The Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services Act, 2025
The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly enacted the Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services Act, 2025, Act No. 37 of 2025, and it received the Governor’s assent on 6 June 2025. The Act repeals and re-enacts the Tamil Nadu Fire Service Act, 1985, establishes the Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services across the State, and provides a framework for fire prevention, life safety, firefighting and rescue services.
What the Act governs
The Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services Act, 2025 applies throughout Tamil Nadu. It creates a statewide Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services under the superintendence and control of the State Government and replaces the Tamil Nadu Fire Service Act, 1985.
The Act states that it will come into force on a date appointed by the State Government through a notification. It received the Governor’s assent on 6 June 2025 and was published for general information.
Who may be affected
The Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services Act, 2025 is relevant to owners, occupiers, tenants, licensees, property managers, developers, businesses and people erecting temporary structures. Its definition of a building includes petrol, diesel or gas lines, installations and pumps.
An owner includes a person entitled to receive rent, whether personally or as an agent, trustee, guardian or receiver. An occupier includes a tenant, an owner using the property, a rent-free tenant, a licensee and a person liable to pay damages for using or occupying property.
Key provisions
- The State Government must establish and maintain the Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services.
- The State Government may determine its posts, ranks, organisations, powers, functions and duties.
- The Director must be an officer in the rank of Director General of Police or Additional Director General of Police and serves as head of the Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services.
- The Director regulates fire safety and prevention, firefighting equipment, machinery, training, procedures, staff duties and discipline.
- The Director may investigate the causes of fires, seek help from Government Forensic Science Laboratories and advise authorities on fire precautions.
- The State Government may establish or reorganise fire stations, rescue stations and other field formations after considering population, industrial fire hazards, major commercial establishments and buildings.
- Fire prevention and life safety measures include protection from fire, smoke, fumes and panic, firefighting equipment, and measures protecting life and property during fires or other emergencies.
- Applicable fire safety standards may include the National Building Code of India, Model Building Bye-laws, Oil Industry Safety Directorate guidelines and relevant government or local authority guidelines.
Practical point for property users
The Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services Act, 2025 provides the institutional framework for fire safety and rescue regulation. Property users should identify whether their building, installation, business use or temporary structure falls within its broad definitions and the applicable fire safety standards.
This summary is generated from the source document to help you find what is relevant. The PDF above is authoritative. For advice on your own property, use LandLens One or speak to a qualified professional.
Common questions
Does the Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services Act, 2025 apply across Tamil Nadu?
Yes. The Act extends to the whole State of Tamil Nadu.
Does the Act apply only to property owners?
No. Its definitions also cover tenants, rent-free tenants, licensees, owners using their own property and certain other occupiers.
Are petrol, diesel and gas installations treated as part of a building?
Yes. The Act’s definition of building includes petrol, diesel or gas lines, installations and pumps.
Who decides when the Act comes into force?
The State Government appoints the commencement date through a notification.
