Definitions -In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,-

(a)“building”includes a high-rise building, house, outhouse, stable, godown, shed, hut, wall (other than a boundary wall), fencing, platform and any other structure whether of masonry, bricks, wood, mud, metal or of any other material whatsoever; (b)“building bye laws”means the building bye-laws, rules or regulations under any relevant municipal law and includes the development control rules or any other building rules or regulations made under any other law for the time being in force and are in operation; (c)“Director General”means the Director General of Fire Services appointed under section 4; (d)“fire fighting property”includes,- (i)lands and buildings used as fire stations and static water tanks; (ii)fire engines, equipments, tools, implements and whatsoever used for fire-fighting; (iii)motor vehicles and other means of transport used in connection with fire fighting; and (iv)Uniforms and badges of rank;

(e)“fire station”means any place declared generally or specially, by the Government to be a fire station; (f)“form”means a form appended to this Act; (g)“Government”means the State Government; (h)“high-rise building”means a building the height of which is

1[18 meters] or more from the surface level of the land contiguous to such building; (i)“member of service”means any person appointed under section 6; (j)

2[“the National Building Code of India as amended from time to time”] means the book containing Fire Prevention and Safety measures to be implemented in the buildings, places, premises, workshops, warehouses and industries published by the Indian Standards Institution; (k)“notification”means a notification published in the Andhra Pradesh Gazette and the word “notified” shall be construed accordingly; (l)“Occupier”includes,- (i)any person who for the time being is paying or is liable to pay to the owner, the rent or any portion of the rent of the land or building in respect of which such rent is paid or payable; (ii)an owner in occupation of or otherwise using his land or building; (iii)a rent-free tenant of any land or building; (iv)a licencee in occupation of any land or building; and (v)any person who is liable to pay to the owner damages for the use and occupation of any land or building (m)“Officer-in-charge of Fire Station”includes when the officer- in-charge of the fire station is absent from the station or unable from illness or other cause, to perform his duties, the fire officer next in rank to such officer and present at the station; (n)“Owner”includes a person who for the time being is receiving or is entitled to receive the rent of any land or building whether on his own account or as an agent, trustee, guardian or receiver or any other person who should receive the rent or be entitled to receive it .The expression substituted by Act No. 21 of 2006, Sec.2. . The expression substituted by Act No. 21 of 2006, Sec.2.

if the land or building or part thereof were let out to a tenant; (o)“prescribed”means prescribed by rules made by the Government under this Act; (p)“Service”means the Andhra Pradesh Fire Service established and maintained under this Act; (q)“State”means the State of Andhra Pradesh.