Fire Safety Certificate

You must apply to Laois Fire Authority for a certificate if you build, extend or substantially alter a building (other than dwelling houses and certain agricultural buildings) to confirm that the proposed works comply with fire safety standards.

Who needs one?

Developers of every new building, with the exception of domestic buildings, are required to obtain a Fire Certificate. Although there are different certificates for different kinds of development, it is necessary for every developer to send their plans and designs to their local Fire Authority. [Chief Fire Officer, Laois County Council]

How can I apply?

Application Form: Fire Safety Certificate application form 

2 copies of the Site Map, Specification and Completed Application form must be sent to the Chief Fire Officer [Laois County Council, Áras an Chontae, Portlaoise] along with the required fee.

If they are satisfied, a fire safety certificate is then issued by the Building Control Authority that if the building is constructed in accordance with the plans and documents submitted it complies with the current building regulations.

Fees for Fire Safety Certificates

Each application for a fire safety certificate must be accompanied by the appropriate fee. The fee is currently €2.90 per square metre, subject to a minimum fee of 127 euro and a maximum charge of 12,500 euro. In the event of an invalid application this fee is refunded. In the event of a valid application for a fire safety certificate that is subsequently refused then the fee is forfeited. The minimum fee is €130 and the maximum is €12,500

Fire Safety Certificates Guidance Notes

1. General

Article 13 of the Building Control Regulations 1997 requests that an application for a Fire Safety Certificate be accompanied by the following:­

  • Site Location Map
  • Layout Plan
  • Floor Plans
  • Elevations and Sections
  • Compliance Document (showing compliance with Technical Guidance Document B – Sections B1-B5)

and other particulars that are necessary to:

  1. Identify and describe the building / works to which the application relates, Illustrate that the building / works will comply with the requirements of Part B (Sections 1-5) of the First Schedule to the Building Regulations.

The extent to which plans and compliance document will be required to establish compliance with Building Regulations will vary in individual cases depending on the type, size and complexity of the building concerned, but the information in the following paragraphs 2 and 3 can be used as a guideline. Where relevant, all the plans and information listed below should be supplied.

2. Maps and plans

These should be submitted in duplicate and should, where appropriate, include the following:

  1. Site Location Map:
    Clearly define location to a scale of either one to one thousand (1:1000), one to two thousand five hundred (1:2500) or 1” inch to ½” is also acceptable.
  2. Layout Plan: to a scale of not less than one to five hundred (1:500) should show:
    • the boundaries of any land belonging to the building/works
    • all roadways including widths within the boundaries
    • locations of gateways or other restrictions to width of vehicular access at or within the boundaries
    • locations of bridges, arches, cables or other overhead restrictions to height of vehicular access
    • all access points to the building
    • location and diameter of any water main or hydrant adjacent to or within the boundaries
    • all materials being stored
    • location and type of isolation devices for building services, including ESB installations.
    • location and diameter of internal rising fire water mains and foam inlet pipes, if applicable
    • location and type of control devices for active fire control systems, if applicable
    • distances of buildings to boundaries
  3. A dimensioned plan of each floor, a section through each storey/floor and roof of the building, together with drawings of each elevation should show all to an appropriate scale with all dimensions expressed in metric figures:
    • all materials used in construction
    • periods of fire resistance of elements of structure and fire resisting doors
    • intended use and floor area of each room /space
    • fire compartmentation
    • protected stairways/protected shafts
    • barriers to passage of fire and smoke in cavities
    • principal service ducts
    • areas of high fire risk
    • location and type of manual fire fighting equipment
    • fire fighting shafts
    • smoke ventilation provisions
    • internal fire main outlets
  4. The north point should be indicated on all plans to which paragraphs (a) and (b) apply.

3. Compliance document

  1. Calculations and details should be submitted in respect of the following; –
     Section B1

    • maximum numbers of persons likely to occupy each floor/space
    • number and width of escape routes
    • fire detection and alarm systems
    • emergency lighting systems
    • electrical installations
    • automatic fire suppression systems

    Section B2

    • surface linings

    Section B3

    • size of fire compartments
    • fire resistance of elements of structure
    • smoke control provisions
    • cavity barriers and fire stopping

    Section B4

    • permitted unprotected areas in external walls

    Section B5

    • fire fighting water supply
    • Provision for vehicular access
    • Ventilation provisions for Fire Service

Reference should be made as to the Technical Standards/Documents used in compliance.

4. Fire safety certificate fees

  • Standard or revised fire safety certificate
  • 7 Day notice
  • Regularisation certificate

Standard or revised fire safety certificate

  • Works in connection with the construction or extension of a building: €125.00, or €2.90 for each square metre of relevant floor area, whichever is the greater
  • Works in connection with:
    1. the material alteration of the interior of a building: €125.00, or €2.90 for each square metre of relevant floor area, whichever is the greater
    2. the material alteration of the external surfaces of a building: €125.00
    3. a combination of (i) and (ii)  above: €125.00, or €2.90 for each square metre of relevant floor area, whichever is the greater
  • A building in which a material change of use takes place: €125.00, or €2.90 for each square metre of relevant floor area, whichever is the greater
  • Works or a building, where the building concerned will be used as an agricultural building: €65.00, or €0.80 for each square metre in excess of 300 sq.m. of (i) gross floor area being provided, or (ii) relevant floor area, as the case may be,whichever is the greater.

The maximum fee for a fire safety certificate is €12,500.00

7 day notice

  • Works in connection with the construction or extension of a building: €250.00, or €5.80 for each square metre of relevant floor area, whichever is the greater
  • Works in connection with:
    1. the material alteration of the interior of a building: €250.00, or €5.80 for each square metre of relevant floor area, whichever is the greater
    2. the material alteration of the external surfaces of a building: €250.00
    3. a combination of (i) and (ii)  above: €250.00, or €5.80 for each square metre of relevant floor area, whichever is the greater
  • A building in which a material change of use takes place: €250.00, or €5.80 for each square metre of relevant floor area, whichever is the greater
  • Works or a building, where the building concerned will be used as an agricultural building: €130.00, or €1.60 for each square metre in excess of 300 sq.m. of (i) gross floor area being provided, or (ii) relevant floor area, as the case may be,whichever is the greater.

The maximum fee for a 7 Day Notice is €25,000.00

Regularisation certificate

  • Works in connection with the construction or extension of a building: €500.00, or €11.60 for each square metre of relevant floor area, whichever is the greater.
  • Works in connection with:
    1. the material alteration of the interior of a building: €500.00, or €11.60 for each square metre of relevant floor area, whichever is the greater
    2. the material alteration of the external surfaces of a building: €500.00
    3. a combination of (i) and (ii) above: €500.00, or €11.60 for each square metre of relevant floor area, whichever is the greater
  • A building in which a material change of use takes place: €500.00, or €11.60 for each square metre of relevant floor area, whichever is the greater
  • Works or a building, where the building concerned will be used as an agricultural building: €260.00, or €3.20 for each square metre in excess of 300 sq.m. of (i) gross floor area being provided, or (ii) relevant floor area, as the case may be,whichever is the greater.

The maximum fee for a Regularisation Certificate is €50,000.00

Voluntary organisations are exempt from fire safety certificate fees.

Further information

Should you have any further queries, please contact the Planning Department by email on planning@laoiscoco.ie or telephone 057 866 4039