Fire Safety Certificate
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 the Building Regulations.
How does the Fire Safety Certificate process work?
- An application is submitted to the Building Control Authority
- Valid applications are date stamped and an acknowledgement stating date of receipt is sent to the applicant. Where an application is incomplete and therefore not valid , the Building Control Authority may request the applicant to submit the necessary documentation to enable the application to be validated.
- The application is examined technically for compliance with the ‘Fire’ part of the Building Regulations.
- Where it is considered that additional information or modifications are required to the application, the officer examining the application may request such additional information/modification from the applicant.
- A Fire Safety Certificate will issue to the applicant as soon as possible after all required additional information has been submitted.
- The Building Control Authority must notify the applicant of the decision on the application within two months of the application date or within such extended period of time as may be agreed between the applicant and the Authority at any time.
Why choose Declan Noonan & Associates?
Our team of experienced building designers can advise on the design requirements to comply with the relevant regulations and prepare the relevant applications to obtain a Fire Certificate for the relevant Local Authority. We have years of experience dealing with the Building Control Authority and can advise you on the most cost effective way of complying with the regulations. Declan Noonan & Associates can take care of everything from the drawings and the form filling to handling the additional correspondence with the Building Authority. Contact us for more details.
What must be submitted?
Application documentation required:
- Signed and completed prescribed Fire Cert application form
- The correct fee
- Complete set of Technical Drawings
- A Site Location Map
- A Site Layout Plan
- Elevations
- Floor Plans
- Sections
- Technical Report
- Any Specifications / Calculations
Calculation of Fee payable to Building Control Authority:
€2.90 per square meter of actual floor area
Minimum fee of €125
Maximum fee of €12,500
In general, if you are constructing a new building or making changes to an existing building, you will probably need a Fire Safety Certificate. If in doubt, please contact Declan Noonan & Associates.
WARNING: IT IS AGAINST BUILDING CONTROL LAW TO COMMENCE WORKS PRIOR TO RECEIVING A GRANTED FIRE SAFETY CERTIFICATE EXCEPT WHERE AN APPLICATION FOR A 7 DAY NOTICE FIRE CERTIFICATE APPLICATION HAS BEEN SUBMITTED. FAILURE TO COMPLY MAY LEAD TO A HEAVY FINE, TERM OF IMPRISONMENT OR BOTH.
Once a Fire Safety Certificate is received, the works should be carried out in accordance with the specifications and plans approved under your application. It is recommended that a competent fire consultant be employed to supervise the fire related elements in the construction of the building.
Revised Fire Safety Certificate
Required where the original Fire Cert was applied for prior to planning and changes are necessitated by the subsequent grant of planning or where significant revision is made to the design or works or a material alteration or material change of use takes place subsequently but prior to commencement of construction.
Where a revised Fire Cert is required a person shall not carry out any works/material change of use until the revised Fire Cert is granted.
7 Day Notice Fire Certificate
Where it is intended to carry works or commence construction of a building, for which a Fire Cert is required, before the Fire Cert is granted.
- Application documentation required:
- Signed and completed prescribed 7 Day Notice form
- Signed and completed prescribed 7 day Notice Statutory Declaration form
- A valid Fire Safety Application form
- Drawings and items as described at (A) above
Regularisation Certificate
Required where works/material change of use have commenced or have been completed, for which a Fire Cert is required, without a granted Fire Safety Certificate or the submission of a 7 day Notice.
Application documentation required:
- Signed and completed Prescribed Regularisation Certificate application form
- Signed and completed Prescribed Statutory Declaration for Regularisation Certificate form
- Drawings and items as described at (A) above
Click here for information on Disabled Access Certificates.
