Fire Safety Certificates
Fire safety certificates are now applied for online through the Building Control Management System (BCMS). Applications will then be processed and are issued by the Building Control Authority, which for County Longford is Longford County Council.
There are different types of fire safety certificates, however in general these certificates state 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.
When do you need a fire safety certificate?
Fire safety certificates are required for the following:
- All new non domestic buildings and apartments
- Works in connection with the material alteration of: (i) a day centre, (ii) a building containing a flat, (iii) a hotel, hostel or guest building, or (iv) an institutional building, or (v) a place of assembly, or (vi) a shopping centre, but excluding works to such buildings, consisting solely of minor works
- Works in connection with the material alteration of a shop, office or industrial building where: (i) additional floor area is being provided within the existing building, or (ii) the building is being subdivided into a number of units for separate occupancy
- Extension of a building by more than 25 square metres
- The material change of use of a building
Some building are exempt from needing a fire safety certificate. There include:
- buildings used as a dwelling other than an apartment building
- some single storey agricultural buildings
- a single storey domestic garage
- a single storey building ancillary to a dwelling used exclusively for recreational or storage purposes or the keeping of plants, birds or animals for domestic purposes and not used for any trade or business or for human habitation
What are the different types of fire safety certificates?
Standard Fire Safety Certificate
Standard fire safety certificates should be applied for through the BCMS website. Before you begin any work or make a material change of use, you should apply for a fire safety certificate.
The cost of a standard fire safety certificates varies based on the work to be carried out, specifically:
A standard fire safety certificates is charged at €125 or €2.90 per square metre of floor, whichever is the greater. The maximum fee is €12,500.
The above does not apply to a standard fire safety certificate for an agricultural building. The charge in this case is €65 or 80c for each square metre in excess of 300 square metres of gross floor area or relevant floor area, whichever is greater.
Revised Fire Safety Certificate
Revised fire safety certificates are required for works that have already been granted a fire safety certificate, but where significant revisions need to be made for reasons other than fire safety, e.g. conditions attached to planning permission, or changes in design. Application are made through the BCMS website.
The cost of a revised fire safety certificates is charged at €125 or €2.90 per square metre, whichever is greater. The maximum fee is €12,500.
Regularisation Certificate
This is required where building works requiring a fire certificate were commenced or completed post 1 June 1992 without an associated fire certificate application. Application are made through the BCMS website.
A regularisation certificates is charged at €500 or €11.60 per square metre, whichever is greater. The maximum fee is €50,000.
7 Day Notice Fire Safety Certificate Application
The submission of a fire safety certificate application can be accompanied by a 7 day notice. This is used where a person intends to commence building works before grant of the relevant fire safety certificate. Applications are through the BCMS website.
A 7 Day Notice is charged at €250 or €5.80 per square metre of floor, whichever is the greater. The maximum fee is €25,000.
Appling for a fire safety certificate
All fire safety certificates are now applied for online through the BCMS website.
A fire safety certificate application should contain a completed relevant application form, copies of relevant drawings, a fire safety report and the appropriate fee.
The application is examined technically for compliance within the building regulations.
Where an application is incomplete, the building authority may request the required information.
Disability Access Certificates
Applications for Disability Access Certificate are also through the BCMS website. They cost €800 per building, or €500 per building where the application is made prior to commencement and coincides with an application for a Fire Safety Certificate, where relevant.
Visit the Building Control section for more information on disability access certificates.
Further information
Further information can be found on the BCMS website.
