Fire Safety Certificates

What is a Fire Safety Certificate? 

A Fire Safety Certificate is a certificate issued by the Building Control Authority which states that the works or building to which the application relates will, if constructed in accordance with the plans and specifications submitted, comply with the requirements of Part B of the Second Schedule to the Building Regulations 1997 (as amended). https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/1d2af-building-regulations/ 

What buildings require a Fire Safety Certificate? 

The following buildings (other than those listed as exempt below) require a Fire Safety Certificate in accordance with Article 11 https://revisedacts.lawreform.ie/eli/1997/si/496/section/11/revised/en/html of the Building Control Regulations (as amended);

• Works in connection with the design and construction of a new building.
• Works in connection with the material alteration of: 
  • A day centre.
  • A building containing a flat.
  • A hotel, hostel or guest building.
  • An institutional building.
  • A place of assembly. 
  • A shopping centre.
• Works in connection with the material alteration of a shop, office or industrial building where additional floor area is being provided within the existing building or where the building is being sub divided into a number of units for separate occupancy; 
• Works in connection with the extension of a building by more than 25 square metres;
• A building as regards which a material change of use takes place. 

What buildings or works are exempt from the requirement to obtain a Fire Safety Certificate? 

The following buildings are exempted from the requirement to obtain a Fire Safety Certificate in accordance with Article 11 of the Building Control Regulations (as amended) https://revisedacts.lawreform.ie/eli/1997/si/496/front/revised/en/html

• Single storey agricultural buildings used exclusively for the storage of material or products, accommodation of plant or machinery or in connection with the housing, care or management of livestock where the only persons habitually employed are engaged in the care, supervision, regulation, maintenance, storage or removal of same in the building.
• A building used as a dwelling other than a flat.
• A single storey domestic garage.
• A single storey building ancillary to a dwelling which is used exclusively for recreational or storage purposes or the keeping of plants, birds or animals for domestic purposes and is not used for any trade or business or for human habitation.
• Works carried out in compliance with a notice served under Section 20 of the Fire Services Act 1981.
• Works or a building outlined in Article 6 of the Building Control Regulations https://revisedacts.lawreform.ie/eli/1997/si/496/front/revised/en/html which are exempted from the Building Control Regulations. These include a garda station, courthouse, barracks and certain buildings used in connection with the business of the state. 

Do I need a Fire Safety Certificate to start work on my building?  

Where a Fire Safety Certificate is required in respect of works or a building then a person shall not carry out the works until a Fire Safety Certificate has been issued for the works. Where work is carried out in the absence of a Fire Safety Certificate, an enforcement notice may be issued under Section 8 of the Building Control Act 1990 (as amended) https://revisedacts.lawreform.ie/eli/1990/act/3/revised/en/html  

Who can prepare a Fire Safety Certificate Application? 

A Fire Safety Certificate application should be prepared by a competent person. A person engaged to prepare a fire safety certificate should have a sound knowledge of building construction and fire safety design and be familiar with the Building Regulations and the procedure for applying for a Fire Safety Certificate, they normally undertake roles in private practice as a Fire Safety Consultant, Architect or Engineer.  

Do I have to wait for my planning permission to be granted before I can apply for a fire safety certificate? 

No. You can apply for both at the same time. However, if alterations are made to the planning drawings or conditions attached which require alterations, it may require a revised Fire Safety Certificate application to address changes made or conditions added. 

I have multiple identical buildings on site, will one fire safety certificate cover all?  

No. A fire safety certificate can only be obtained for a single building. Buildings not connected to each other require separate fire safety certificates.