Rescue 1122 Fire Safety Certificate & PCS 2022 Requirements for Buildings in Punjab

HIFAZAT Fire Safety Solutions · Updated July 2026 · Lahore, Pakistan

Short answer: The Punjab Community Safety Buildings Regulations 2022 (PCS 2022), issued by the Punjab Emergency Service (Rescue 1122) under the Punjab Community Safety Act 2021, require every building owner to provide fire extinguishers, an automatic fire alarm system with a UPS-backed central panel, hydrant and standpipe systems, exit staircases with fire doors, illuminated exit signs, first aid boxes and an AED — and to obtain an annual Safety Measure Certificate after inspection. A July 2025 amendment updated the staircase and sprinkler rules. Here is the full picture.

These regulations apply across Punjab and sit alongside the LDA Building & Zoning Regulations 2019 for Lahore. Where LDA regulations govern building approval, PCS 2022 governs the ongoing safety certificate that Rescue 1122 inspects and renews every year.

1. Exit staircases — Regulation 3(1), as amended July 2025

The July 2025 amendment (Notification No. 1695/2025) replaced the original staircase rule. The current requirement: buildings shall have at least one exit staircase. An additional exit staircase per floor is required after every 6,000 sq ft of floor area or where occupancy exceeds 50 persons per storey. The maximum travel distance from the entrance door of any room to an exit staircase is 75 feet.

• Staircases (except mezzanine) separated by hinge-type exit doors opening outwards — minimum one-hour fire rating, 80 inches headroom, 3 ft width
• Staircase must give access to an open area with clear access to the road, and remain obstruction-free at all times
• Buildings above 100 ft: refuge areas open to air on the floor periphery or a cantilever projection
• Staircase illumination backed by uninterrupted power supply of at least 90 minutes, with accessible windows on each floor
• Steps: round edges, minimum 11-inch tread, maximum 7-inch riser
• Existing buildings that don't meet the requirements must add external stairs to the same standard

2. Exit signs — Regulation 3(2)

Illuminated exit signs with emergency lights are required in each corridor, guiding the way to the exit door and staircase. The word "EXIT" must be in plainly legible capital letters at least 6 inches high, placed along the evacuation path and visible from any direction of exit access.

3. Hydrant and standpipe systems — Regulation 3(3)

• External hydrant: pillar type, red colour, with two 2.5-inch instantaneous-type couplings — located no more than 12 ft from the fire rescue access road, with at least 5 ft clear space in front
• Standpipe system on each floor with 2.5-inch landing valves maintained at minimum 7 bar pressure, connected to a 100 ft × 1.5 inch delivery hose and nozzle (or 1-inch non-collapsible hose reel) stored in a hose cabinet near each exit
• Hydrant and sprinkler systems must be separate from the normal water supply, pressurized by an electric pump with a backup pump that stays operational during power failure
• Water tanks: buildings up to 100 ft — independent internal overhead tank of 7,500 gallons; buildings above 100 ft — overhead tank of 15,000 gallons plus underground tank of 30,000 gallons, increasing with floor area and height

4. Automatic sprinklers — Regulation 3(4), as amended July 2025

Under the July 2025 amendment, automatic sprinklers are required in all buildings with height above 75 feet, covering all areas except those exempted in the Building Code of Pakistan Fire Safety Provisions 2016. Separately, all internal car parks below ground level must have automatic water sprinkler coverage in all areas.

5. Fire alarm system — Regulation 3(5)

Buildings must install an automatic fire alarm and detection system in all areas, connected to a central control panel with uninterrupted power supply. Every floor must have manual fire alarm boxes within 60 inches of the exit doorway, connected to both audible and flasher fire alarms. In practice this means a conventional zone-based panel with battery backup, smoke detectors throughout, and MCPs with sounders and flashers at every exit.

6. Fire extinguishers — Regulation 3(6)

• At least one multipurpose (A, B, C) DCP extinguisher of minimum 12 pounds (≈6 KG), in functional condition, per 2,000 sq ft of floor area
• Maximum travel distance to an extinguisher: 75 ft — but only 30 ft from combustible cooking or other hazardous areas
• Mounting heights are regulated too: extinguishers up to 40 lbs — top no more than 5 ft above the floor; heavier than 40 lbs — top no more than 3.5 ft above floor, bottom at least 4 inches above floor

For current extinguisher rates in Lahore, see our fire extinguisher price guide.

7. First aid box and AED — Regulation 3(7)

A first aid box on each floor is mandatory, stocked with at least: triangular, crepe and cotton bandages, sterilized gauze, cotton roll, antiseptic solution, normal saline, scissors, sticking tape, antibacterial cream, latex gloves and a facemask. The owner must also provide an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) with at least two spare pads in the building.

8. Other requirements building owners miss

• HVAC: fire dampers in duct systems to isolate areas and floors; duct insulation of fire-retardant material
• Materials: ceiling, paneling, insulation, ducting, flooring and cladding of fire-retardant material; inter-floor voids sealed against smoke spread
• Basements: no bulk storage of highly inflammable liquids or explosive substances
• Access: buildings only on roads minimum 30 ft wide; no billboards, signboards or grills obstructing fire and rescue operations from any side
• Evacuation: evacuation plans displayed near entrances and exits with emergency numbers on all floors; a marked "Assembly Area" at a safe distance outside; evacuation drills at least twice a year; buildings above 100 ft need an emergency command center
• Safety manager: the building's safety manager is responsible for hazard inspections, maintaining equipment, conducting biannual drills, documenting all safety activities and incidents, and liaison with the local Rescue Station

The Safety Measure Certificate — how it works

PCS 2022 establishes an annual certification cycle run by the Punjab Emergency Service:

• Application: the owner submits the form from the official Service website with owner details, building address and description (type, area, height, floors), occupancy details, staircase details, safety arrangements and a copy of the emergency action plan. Incomplete applications are not accepted.
• Inspection: an intimation notice is issued within 30 days of receipt; the officer inspects after giving 7 days notice
• Certificate: issued for one year, renewable annually — the renewal application must be submitted within one month before expiry
• The certificate must be displayed in a conspicuous place in the building; it becomes invalid if safety standards are violated or the building is altered, and it is non-transferable — a new owner must apply afresh

Frequently Asked Questions

Note: This guide summarizes the Punjab Community Safety Buildings Regulations 2022 (Notification No. 975/2022 PESD) and its amendment (No. 1695/2025 ESD) in simplified form. Requirements are applied per each building's height, area and occupancy — a site inspection determines exactly what applies to your building.

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