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John Flynn Architect B Arch MRIAI
326 Clontarf Road, Dublin 3
phone / fax 01 8183203
mobile 086 2907811
jfarch@eircom.net
Fire Safety Certificates.
What is a Fire Safety Certificate?
The Building Regulations establish a legally enforceable Code of Building Practice for the whole country under The Building Control Act 1990 .The Building Regulations establish an obligation to obtain a fire safety certificate from a Building Control Authority in relation to new buildings, alterations, extensions,or changes of use, save those which are exempt ( eg some agricultural buildings and single dwellings which are not flats) There is an appeal to An Bord Pleanala against a refusal of a fire safety certificate or conditions attached. The main provisions in relation to applications for fire safety certificates are contained in section 6(a)(ii) of the Building Control Act and in Articles 8 to 18 of Part III of The Building Control Regulations as amended. A fire safety certificate is given by a building control authority on application by the person concerned. It is effectively a statement of its opinion that the design of the building or works described in the application complies with Part B of the First Schedule to the Building regulations.
Applications
Applications for fire safety certificates must be made on the form prescribed in the First Schedule to the Building Regulations and must be accompanied by sufficient plans,report documents and information to enable the building control authority to assess whether the design of the building will comply with Part B of the First Schedule to the Building Regulations.
Time
A decision on an application for a fire safety certificate must be given within two months or such extended period as may be agree at any time, in writing between the applicant and the building control authority. If no decision is given within this statutory period , a default provision operates ( see section 6(5) of the Building Control Act) . Caution should be exercised in availing of a deemed Fire Safety Certificate, obtained by default. The obligation to comply with the Building Regulations remains and it may prove necessary to prove such compliance. An actual fire safety Certificate is clearly the most satisfactory way to do this.
Form
Applications for fire safety certificates must be made on the form prescribed in the First Schedule to the Building regulations and must be accompanied by such plans , documents, and information as will to enable the building Control Authority to assess whether the building or works comply with Part B of the First Schedule to the Building Regulations ( Article 10 of the Building Control Regulations, as amended). The Notes for Guidance of Applicant on the prescribed form give information on the type and extent of plans, drawings, maps, calculations and specifications which may be required and acknowledge that the extent to which this information will be necessary will vary depending on the type, size and complexity of the building concerned.
Content
An application for a fire safety certificate must be:
a) made on the prescribed form
b) accompanied by sufficient information to enable the building control authority
to assess compliance with Part B of the Building Regulations
c) accompanied by the appropriate fee
Receipt
On receipt of an application for a fire safety certificate a building control authority must stamp the documents with the date of their receipt and issue an acknowledgement to the applicant ( article 11)
Decision Grant of Certificate
A building control authority must, if the application for a fire safety certificate is valid, either grant the fire safety certificate, with or without conditions, or refuse to grant the fire safety certificate. The grant of a fire safety certificate is made in the form prescribed in the Second Schedule to the Building Control regulations. Reasons must be given for the attachment of conditions to a fire safety certificate or for the refusal to grant a fire safety certificate, and in either case , the applicant must be informed of the right of appeal to An Bord Pleanala.
Commencement Notice
A commencement Notice is a statutory notice given to a building control authority after the grant of a fire safety certificate that works to which building regulations apply are about to commence.
This gives the Authority the option to use their discretionary powers of inspection and enforcement to monitor the construction concerned for compliance with the building regulations.
A commencement Notice must be given generally not more than 21 days and not less than 14 days before construction commences. A fee is required.
Register Inspection
Under Article 19 of the Building Control Regulations, a building control authority must keep a register of all applications for fire safety certificates and must enter in the register
Particulars relating to the application
The decision and date of decision of the authority on the application
The date and effect of any subsequent appeal to An Bord Pleanala
The register must be available for inspection during office hours at the offices of the building control authority.
Fees
Applications for fire safety certificates, or relaxations, or dispensation from, Building regulations, and appeals against decisions of building control authorities on these applications, are all invalid unless they are accompanied by the appropriate fee.
The local authority fee is euro 2.90 / m2 up to a maximum of euro 12,500.
Fire Safety Certificate Alternative procedures
On 1st October 2009 , sections 5 6 of the Building Control Act 2007 came into operation
Providing additional new alternative procedures for fire safety certificate applications
The new alternatives are:
Standard Fire Safety Certificate
As described above and work cannot commence until the Fire Safety certificate is granted and for 14 days after a commencement notice is served.
Revised Fire Safety Certificate application
This allows an applicant to revise a previously granted Fire Safety Certificate, where the design has changed significantly or due to Planning requirement. The fee and time scale are the same as the standard application.
7 Day notice application
This is a new process where an applicant can inform the building control authority that they will start work in 7 days , this notice to the Authority is accompanied by:
A valid fire safety cert application
An application form
A 7 day statutory application form, this is a Declaration that work carried out before granting
The fire safety certificate will comply with the building regulations and give an undertaking to carry out any modifications required under the Grant
The fee increases to euro 5.80 / m2 to a max. of euro 25,000
Regularisation fire safety certificate application
This will apply where work has started or completed , with or without a standard fire safety certificate application of 7 day notice application. This has to show that the work complies with the Building Regulations, and the work can be inspected by the Authority. Again a statutory declaration is required stating that the works comply with the building regulations and that any modifications required will be carried out. The fee increases to euro 11.60 / m2 up to euro 50,000.
Sample Fire safert certificate plan.
Governing Bodies
Confederation of Fire Protection Associations (CFPA)
www.cfpa-e.org
The Fire Protection Association (UK)
www.thefpa.co.uk
The Fire Protection Association (IRL)
www.nra.ie
National Fire Protection Association (US + Canada)
www.nfpa.org
Governing Bodies
Confederation of Fire Protection Associations (CFPA)
www.cfpa-e.org
The Fire Protection Association (UK)
www.thefpa.co.uk
The Fire Protection Association (IRL)
www.nra.ie
National Fire Protection Association (US + Canada)
www.nfpa.org
Government Agencies
Dept of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government
www.environ.ie
Professional Institutes
Architects
www.riai.ie
Engineers
www.acei.ie
Fire Engineers
www.ife.ie
Surveyors
www.irish-surveyors.ie
Standards, etc
National Standards Authority of Ireland
www.nsai.ie
British Standards Institute
www.bsi-global.com
British Research Establishment
www.bre.co.uk
American National Standards Institute
www.ansi.org
The European Committee for Standardisation
www.cen.eu
International Standards Organisation
www.iso.org
Manufacturers
Alarm Sounders
www.cranfordcontrol.com
www.firexuae.com
www.fulleon.com
www.gent.co.uk
www.gst.uk.com
www.g4s.com
www.hochikieurope.com
www.honeywell.com
www.hbl.co.uk
www.kac.co.uk
www.klaxonsignals.com
www.morley-ias.co.uk
www.napcogulfsecurity.com
www.notifierfiresystems.co.uk
www.protec.co.uk
www.systemsensoreurope.com
www.tycosafetyproducts-europe.com
www.vimpex.co.uk
Alarm Transmission Fault Routing Eqt Syts
www.redcare.bt.com
www.csidual.com
Alarm Valves for Sprinkler Systems
www.kidde-fire.com
www.gwsprinkler.com
www.globesprinkler.com
www.reliablesprinkler.com
www.vikingcorp.com
www.tycobuilding.com
www.venus-fire.com
www.victaulic.com
Cavity Fire Barriers
www.rockwool.ie
www.saveguard.com
Commercial Detectors
www.airsense.co.uk
www.apollo-fire.com
www.argus-spectr.ru
www.bardic.co.uk
www.chubb.co.uk
www.cofem.com
www.cooper-Is.com
www.detectomat.de
www.firexuae.com
www.everyday.com
www.ziton.com
www.gesecurity.com
www.gent.co.uk
www.gltexports.com
www.g4s.com
www.guardall.co.uk
www.gst.com.cn
www.hochiki.co.jp
www.hochiki.com
www.honeywell.com
www.globalsources.com/horing.co
www.kiddeproducts.com
www.lst.at
www.lifeco-uk.com
www.morley-ias.co.uk
www.napcogulfsecurity.com
www.nittan.co.uk
www.notifierfiresystems.co.uk
www.esser-systems.de
www.systemsensoreurope.com
www.systemsensor.com
www.protec.co.uk
www.rafikiprotection.com
www.ravelfirepanels.com
www.sareme.lt
www.sensa.org
www.siemens.com
www.talentum.co.uk
www.tycofire.com
www.tycosafetyproducts-europe.com
www.xtralis.com
www.terofire.com
www.wagner-uk.com
Composite Construction Elements (Fire Separation) LPS 1208
www.modular.ie
www.eurobond.co.uk
www.haironvilletac.co.uk
www.hemsec.com
www.isowall.com
www.isocab.be
www.isoclad.com
www.kingspanCE.com
www.kingspanpanels.com
www.joriside.com
www.paroc.com
www.promat.co.uk
www.rannila.com
www.trimo.org.uk
Control Indicating Equipment
www.c-tec.co.uk
www.controlequipment.com
www.coopers-Is.com
www.fireguard-uk.com
www.ziton.com
www.gent.co.uk
www.gltexports.com
www.honeywell.com
www.kiddeproducts.com
www.morley-ias.co.uk
www.notifierfiresystems.co.uk
www.esser-systems.de
www.protec.co.uk
www.siemens.com
www.tycofire.com
www.tycofireandsecurity.com
Deluge Valves Actuators
www.kidde-fire.com
www.gwsprinkler.com
www.globesprinkler.com
www.reliablesprinkler.com
www.vikingcorp.com
www.tycobuilding.com
www.victaulic.com
Domestic Alarms
www.everyday.com
www.eyston.com
www.fireangel.co.uk
www.kiddesafetyeurope.co.uk
External Cladding
www.modular.ie
www.rockwool.ie
www.steadmans.co.uk
www.cagroup.ltd.uk
www.coruspanelsandprofiles.co.uk
www.edmspanwall.com
www.eurobond.co.uk
www.luxalon.com
www.isocab.be
www.insulation.kingspan.com
www.kingspanpanels.com
www.metecno.com
www.joriside.com
www.ruukki.com
www.eleco.com
www.tks-bau.com
www.trimo.org.uk
www.wards.co.uk
www.dryvit.com
www.sotech-optima.co.uk
Firebreak Doors Shutters
www.fireblock.ie
www.servicehansen.com
www.ascotdoors.co.uk
www.attenboroughdoor.co.uk
www.blountshutters.co.uk
www.boltongate.co.uk
www.clarkdoor.com
www.eurobond.co.uk
www.gte-brandschutz.de
www.hart-speedor.co.uk
www.hoermann.de
www.industrial-door-eng.co.uk
www.jdurrance.co.uk
www.kenrickdoorsystems.co.uk
www.boltonbrady.co.uk
www.lincsdoors.co.uk
www.merciandoors.co.uk
www.mei-uae.com
www.northerndoors.co.uk
www.profiledoors.co.uk
www.mbdoor.co.uk
www.sunraydoors.co.uk
Fire Detection Alarm Systems
www.controlequipment.com
www.ziton.com
www.tycofire.com
Fire Hose Reels
www.combat.com.sg
www.sffeco.com
Fire Resistant Cables
www.idh.ie
www.2mkab.com
www.ac-electrical.com
www.aeicables.co.uk
www.alphafireservices.com
www.bangkokcable.com
www.cavicel.com
www.daetwyler-cables.com
www.keystonecable.com
www.drakauk.com
www.firexuae.com
www.eoropametalli.it
www.fireshieldcables.co.uk
www.gst.uk.com
www.gltexports.com
www.generalcables.es
www.haanicables.co.uk
www.jaylowcables.com
www.keystonecable.com
www.nexans.com
wwwprysmian.co.uk
www.pirelli.com
www.ramcro.it
www.tratos.it
www.tycothermal.com
www.ventcroft.co.uk
www.teeco.com
Internal Sandwich Panels and Internal Cladding
www.eurobond.co.uk
www.excelfibre.com
www.kingspanpanels.com
www.joriside.com
Line Units
www.apollo-fire.com
www.firexuae.com
www.ziton.com
www.gesecurity.com
www.gent.co.uk
www.gst.uk.com
www.g4s.com
www.hochikieurope.com
www.honeywell.com
www.morley-ias.co.uk
www.napcogulfsecurity.com
www.notifierfiresystems.co.uk
www.esser-systems.de
www.systemsensoreurope.com
www.protec.co.uk
www.siemens.com
www.tycofire.com
Lining Materials
Manual Call Points
www.apollo-fire.com
www.firexuae.com
www.fulleon.com
www.gesecurity.com
www.gent.co.uk
www.g4s.com
www.hochikieurope.com
www.gst.com
www.kac.co.uk
www.morley-ias.co.uk
www.napcogulfsecurity.com
www.notifierfiresystems.co.uk
www.ge.com
www.protec.co.uk
www.sti-europe.com
www.siemens.com
www.tycofire.com
Non-combustible and Class 0 Products
www.coillte.ie
www.rockwool.ie
www.superglass.co.uk
www.jameshardie.com
Pipe Couplings Fittings
www.anvilintl.com
www.cranefs.com
www.robor.co.za
www.modgalmetal.com
www.shurjoint.com
www.tycobuilding.com
www.victaulic.com
Portable Fire Extinguishers
www.combat.com.sg
www.sffeco.com
www.firekwencher.com
Protective Covering Materials
www.bpipoly.com
www.britton-group.com
www.bsk-laminatin.com
www.donlow.co.uk
www.envirowrap.info
www.floorprotection.co.uk
www.special-fire.com
www.powerclad.com
www.kaysersberg-plastics.com
www.marnic.com
www.nields.co.uk
www.niplastics.co.uk
www.ondaplast.com
www.sealedair.com
www.techfolien.co.uk
www.twinplast.co.uk
www.icopal.com
www.protection.co.uk
Recessed Lighting Fire Canopies
Roofing Products that protect against fire from outside
www.rockwool.ie
www.icopal.com
www.liquidplastics.co.uk
www.marleywaterproofing.com
www.permanite.com
Temporary Buildings for site works (LPS 1195)
Sandwich Panels and Internal Cladding for PODS
Scaffold Cladding Materials
www.envirowrap.info
www.icopal.com
www.powerclad.com
www.sunjut.com
Signalling Systems
Structural Steel Protection
www.gypsum.ie
www.rockwool.ie
www.cafcointl.com