The Building Control Regulations 1997 – 2009 has the effect of creating 3 separate certificates when dealing with fire safety.
- Fire Safety Certificate
- Revised Fire Safety Certificate
- Regularisation Fire Safety Certificate
Fire Safety Certificate
A fire safety certificate is granted by the building control authority. If granted, it certifies that the drawings, plans, documents and information submitted, are in compliance with fire safety regulations. It does not certify that the building or works are in compliance with fire safety regulations.
With the exception of houses and certain agricultural buildings, a fire safety certificate is required for:
- All new buildings
- Specified material alterations
- Specified extensions
- The material change of use of a building
Before you begin any construction works or make a material change of use, you should apply for a fire safety certificate. The local authority fee is €2.90/m2 (max. €12,500) and the authority has 8 weeks to make a decision.
You may submit a 7-Day notice form along with the application in which case you may begin works after 7 days. The Local authority fee is increased to €5.80/m2 (max. €25,000) and the authority has 8 weeks to make a decision. A 7-Day notice form must be accompanied by a statutory declaration form declaring that any works carried out before the cert is granted will comply with fire safety regulations.
There is a risk associated with the 7 Day notice option. If, during the 8 week application process, the fire authority requires any changes to the initial design or if conditions attached to the fire safety certificate stipulates changes to the initial design, any construction works already carried out that are not in compliance may need to be removed or altered in order to comply.
Revised Fire Safety Certificate
An application for a revised fire safety certificate should be made before works commence in respect of works where:
a. A fire safety certificate is granted before grant of planning permission, and the planning permission requires changes to the initial design.
b. Significant revision is made to the design or works of a building for which a fire safety certificate has already been granted.
The local authority fee is €2.90/m2 (max. €12,500) and the authority has 8 weeks to make a decision.
You may submit a 7-Day notice form along with the application in which case you may begin works after 7 days. The Local authority fee is increased to €5.80/m2 (max. €25,000) and the authority has 8 weeks to make a decision. A 7-Day notice form must be accompanied by a statutory declaration form declaring that any works carried out before the cert is granted will comply with fire safety regulations.
There is a risk associated with the 7 Day notice option. If, during the 8 week application process, the fire authority requires any changes to the initial design or if conditions attached to the fire safety certificate stipulates changes to the initial design, any construction works already carried out that are not in compliance may need to be removed or altered in order to comply.
Regularisation Fire Safety Certificate
A regularisation certificate is required where a building has been commenced or completed without a fire safety certificate being granted where one is required. The local authority fee is €11.60/m2 (max. €50,000) and the authority has 8 weeks to make a decision. A regularisation fire safety certificate application must be accompanied by a statutory declaration form declaring that the documents submitted are true and accurate and properly represent the actual building.