What is a Fire Safety Certificate?

What is a Fire Safety Certificate?

A Fire Safety Certificate (FSC) shows that adequate escape facilities are present in a building. It indicates that the building is designed in a way that prevents and limits the spread of a fire.

All buildings must comply with Part B (Fire) of the Building Regulations 1997 – 2010, however not all buildings need a FSC, for example houses and certain agricultural buildings.

Drawings and various technical information about the building are required when applying for a FSC. When the application has been submitted the authorities will issue a decision within two months. If this timeframe needs to be extended, they will inform you in writing.

The ORS Fire Team handle multiple applications for clients on an ongoing basis. They are experienced to manage the process on your behalf and guide you through and implement the actions required to ensure your building is compliant with Building Control Regulations.

When do you require a FSC?

The following developments require a Fire Safety Certificate;

• 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 sub divided into a number of units for separate occupancy.

The implications of not having a FSC are extremely serious. If the building is inspected by a member of the building control authority and on finding proof that no Fire Safety Certificate is in place, the building could be subject to closure.

Disability Access Certificate

Make sure to send in your commencement notice or 7 day notice before you start work on your development. Also consider if you need a Disability Access Certificate.

At ORS, our core business in fire safety engineering is the application of science and engineering principles to the protection of people, property and the environment from fire. We strive to deliver the highest standard of fire engineering to all our clients, meeting individual project challenges and requirements.

Our Fire Safety team is comprised of dynamic individuals, dedicated to providing the best fire safety service for our clients.  We use state-of-the-art fire engineering tools in our fire safety design and consultancy work.

If you would like to discuss Fire Safety requirements for your project, please get in touch with Seán Fay s.fay@ors.ie from the ORS Fire Safety Team.