BIS QCO for Fire Resistant Cabinets - IS 14203:2023 & IS 14561:2014 | Fire-Resistant Cabinets Quality Control Order 2025

Important Notice: This page is based on a draft notification of the Fire-resistant Cabinets (Quality Control) Order, 2025. The exact implementation dates will be confirmed upon official publication in the Gazette of India. For latest updates, Contact Standphill India at +91-9667674225 or WhatsApp.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, is set to issue the Fire-resistant Cabinets (Quality Control) Order, 2025 under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016 (Section 16 read with Section 17 and Sub-section (3) of Section 25).

This Quality Control Order will make it mandatory for all Fire-Resistant Cabinets - including Fire Resisting Record Protection Cabinets and Fire Resisting (Insulating) Filing Cabinets - to conform to the relevant 

Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Indian Standards and bear the ISI Mark (Standard Mark) under a valid BIS licence before being manufactured, imported, or sold in India.

This Order shall come into force from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.

The Fire-resistant Cabinets (Quality Control) Order, 2025 applies to all fire-resistant cabinets specified in the Table below, manufactured in India for domestic sale or imported into India for commercial use.

This Order does NOT apply to:

- Fire-resistant cabinets manufactured domestically exclusively for export

PRODUCTS COVERED

1. IS 14203:2023 - Fire Resisting Record Protection Cabinets

Fire Resisting Record Protection Cabinets are specially designed storage cabinets that protect important paper records, documents, files, and data media from fire damage. These are commonly used in:

   • Government offices and departments

   • Banks and financial institutions

   • Corporate offices and legal firms

   • Educational institutions

   • Hospitals and healthcare facilities

   • Archives and record rooms

These cabinets are tested for their ability to maintain internal temperature and humidity within safe limits even when subjected to high external fire temperatures for specified durations.

2. IS 14561:2014 - Fire Resisting (Insulating) Filing Cabinets

Fire Resisting Insulating Filing Cabinets are purpose-built storage units designed with special insulating materials to protect files, documents, magnetic media (tapes, disks), and digital storage devices from fire and heat damage. These are used in:

   • Data centers and IT departments

   • Government record rooms

   • Banks and insurance companies

   • Corporate legal and compliance departments

   • Libraries and archival facilities

   • Police and judicial record departments

These cabinets provide insulation against both fire and heat, ensuring internal temperature stays below critical limits even during prolonged fire exposure.

Note: The latest version of each Indian Standard including all amendments notified by BIS from time to time shall apply. 

IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE (from date of official Gazette notification) - General Enterprises (excluding Micro & Small): 6 months - Small Enterprises: 9 months - Micro Enterprises: 12 months Exact dates will be confirmed upon official Gazette publication. Contact Standphill India for the latest updates.

All Fire-Resistant Cabinets covered under this QCO must:

- Conform to IS 14203:2023 (Record Protection Cabinets) and/or IS 14561:2014 (Insulating Filing Cabinets) as applicable

- Bear the BIS Standard Mark (ISI Mark) under a valid BIS licence

- Obtain BIS certification under Scheme-I of Schedule-II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018

- Be tested at BIS-recognised and NABL-accredited laboratories

BIS is responsible for:

- Granting ISI Mark licences to fire-resistant cabinet manufacturers and importers

- Conducting factory audits and product testing

- Market surveillance for non-compliant products

- Taking enforcement action against manufacturers and importers of non-certified fire-resistant cabinets

For Licence Applications:

- Domestic Manufacturers: www.manakonline.in

- Foreign Manufacturers: BIS Foreign Manufacturers Certification Department (FMCD), Manakalaya, BIS HQ, New Delhi

- BIS Website: www.bis.gov.in

This Indian Standard specifies the construction, materials, performance, testing, and classification requirements for fire resisting record protection cabinets used to protect paper documents and records from fire damage.

Key requirements under IS 14203:2023:

- Classification based on fire resistance duration (30 min, 60 min, 120 min) and temperature class

- Internal temperature must not exceed 177°C (for paper record protection) during specified fire exposure

- Internal relative humidity must remain within safe limits

- Structural integrity - cabinet must remain operational after fire test

- Lock and latch mechanisms must function post fire exposure

- Construction requirements - insulation material, door seals, and body thickness specifications

- Marking requirements - fire resistance rating, duration, and manufacturer details must be clearly marked on each cabinet

- Testing must be conducted at BIS-recognised fire testing laboratories

Typical Applications: Government offices, banks, legal firms, hospitals, educational institutions, corporate compliance departments, and all establishments requiring fire-safe storage of paper-based records and documents.

IS 14561:2014 - Fire Resisting (Insulating) Filing Cabinets - Specification

This Indian Standard specifies requirements for fire resisting insulating filing cabinets designed to protect not just paper but also heat-sensitive media such as magnetic tapes, computer disks, USB drives, and digital storage devices from fire and high temperatures.

Key requirements under IS 14561:2014:

- Classification based on fire resistance duration and insulation class (paper grade and data media grade)

- Internal temperature must not exceed 52°C (for data media protection) and 177°C (for paper protection) during fire exposure

- Internal humidity control to prevent condensation damage to media

- Impact resistance - cabinet must withstand fall/collapse during fire and remain functional 

Lock, drawer, and filing mechanism must operate after fire test - Construction specifications - multi-layer insulation, door gaskets, and structural reinforcement requirements - Marking and labelling - fire rating, insulation class, and test certification details must be prominently displayed - Testing at BIS-recognised and accredited fire safety laboratories 

Typical Applications: Data centers, IT departments, banks, insurance companies, police records departments, judicial archives, libraries, government repositories, and any facility requiring protection of both documents and digital/magnetic storage media. Certification Scheme: Scheme-I of Schedule-II, BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018 Note: The latest version of each Indian Standard including all amendments notified by BIS from time to time shall apply.

Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)

Manak Bhavan, 9, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg

New Delhi – 110002

Tel: +91-11-23230131

Website: www.bis.gov.in

Manakonline Portal: www.manakonline.in

Ministry of Commerce and Industry (DPIIT) Udyog Bhavan, New Delhi – 110011

For BIS Branch Office contacts near your manufacturing location:

https://bis.gov.in/index.php/regional-branch-offices-bis-list/

KEY DATES AT A GLANCE:

- Order Status: Draft - Pending Official Gazette Publication

- Implementation - General Enterprises: 6 months from Gazette date

- Implementation - Small Enterprises: 9 months from Gazette date

- Implementation - Micro Enterprises: 12 months from Gazette date

Exact implementation dates will be confirmed upon official publication. Contact Standphill India for the latest updates.

Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is intended for informational purposes only and is based on a draft notification available at the time of publishing. Implementation Dates, Product Scope, Exemption Criteria, and other regulatory details are subject to change through future Government amendments or BIS notifications at any time. Readers are requested to seek formal legal advice prior to acting upon any information provided herein.

For the latest BIS QCO updates, confirmed implementation dates, and new amendments - Contact Standphill India. Our experts actively track all BIS QCO notifications and amendments to keep your business compliant, updated, and ahead of every deadline.

Call: +91-9667674225

WhatsApp: +91-9667674225

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