Commercial Services - Fire Safety Certificates

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Developers of every new building, with the exception of domestic buildings and owners / occupiers of existing premises which may incur a change of use are required to obtain a Fire Certificate.  Although there are different certificates for different kinds of development, it is necessary for the stake holder of a new and existing property being altered to send their plans and designs to their local Fire Authority.

 

On submission of the Fire Safety Certificate application which will include fire safety drawings of the premises proposed or as existing illustrating proposed alterations and a Fire Safety Report illustrating how Part B of the Building Regulations is to be complied with is submitted to the Senior Fire Services staff of the relevant local authority for approval.  The Fire Services staff ensure that adequate escape facilities are illustrated on the proposals and that the building is designed in a way that prevents and limits the spread of fire.  If they are satisfied, the Fire Services staff (Building Control Authority) will issue a Fire Safety Certificate which is to be retained by the stake holder of the premises at the premises.

 

Under the provisions of the Fire Services Act, 1981, authorised inspectors from the Fire Services Department can visit and inspect any building within their jurisdiction.  They may ask for any of the following details:-

• The number of employees or occupants in the building
• The purpose of any room or area in the building
• The materials used in the building’s construction
• Any official documents relating to the buildings safety

The inspectors can also inspect the water supply and are permitted to bring any necessary equipment with them onto a site and examine or test any heating, lighting, or ventilation systems and substances used or stored within the premises.

 

Owners of property can be asked by a Fire Services Inspector to provide drawings or plans of buildings under their ownership.  The owner is legally obliged to provide a satisfactory response to the Inspector.  Again, R Crosbie and Associates can assist with the generation of such information if such an inspection occurs.

 

We advise our clients to ensure that a Fire Safety Certificate is obtained as early as possible within the design process.  As a very minimum the person preparing the Fire Safety Certificate should be retained at the commencement of the design process to ensure that when the design of the premises is evolving, that fire safety issues are considered.  A Fire Safety Certificate must be obtained before work starts.

 

Case Study 1

	R Crosbie and Associates provide Hanmer Developments with fire safety consultancy advice and have recently successfully obtained fire safety certificates for a number of their New Ross based developments.
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Case Study 2

	R Crosbie and Associates assisted both the landlord and the tenant in determining their responsibilities regarding the implementation of current fire safety requirements following a change of use of the premises.
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Case Study 3

	R Crosbie and Associates were originally appointed as designers and project managers of the refurbishment and extension of Neville’s Pub in Fethard.
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Case Study 4

	R Crosbie and Associates were retained by the owner of Borris Lodge Nursing Home to carry out a review of the existing premises, provide commentary in relation to his requirements to upgrade this premises.
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