4th Year Architecture

Module: Realising Built Projects

Lecture: Fire Safety Certificates & Disability
Access Certificates
Dr Áine Nic an Ríogh
B Arch, Dip Pr Mgmt, PhD

UCD College of Engineering Coláiste na hInnealtóireachta

& Architecture Agus na hAiltireachta
School of Architecture Scoil na hAiltireachta
FIRE
“There was compelling evidence that the external walls of the
building failed to comply with Requirement B4(1) of Schedule 1 to
the Building Regulations 2010,“

"They did not adequately resist the spread of fire having regard to
the height, use and position of the building. On the contrary, they
actively promoted it."

…Sir Martin Moore-Bick on Grenfell

https://www.grenfelltowerinquiry.org.uk/phase-1-
report
Technical Guidance Documents
A - Structure

B - Fire Safety
Fire Safety in Dwelling Houses

C- Site Preparation and Resistance to Moisture

D - Materials and Workmanship

E – Sound

F – Ventilation

G- Hygiene

H - Drainage and Waste Water Disposal

J - Heat Producing Appliances

K- Stairways, Ladders, Ramps and Guards

L - Conservation of Fuel and Energy - Dwellings

Conservation of Fuel and Energy - Buildings other than Dwellings

M - Access and Use

B - Fire Safety

When do you need a fire cert?

• works in connection with the design and construction of a new

building

• 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,
(iv) an institutional building,
(v) a place of assembly,
(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,
(ii) the building is being subdivided into a number of units for
separate occupancy,

• works in connection with the extension of a building by more

than 25 square metres,

• a building as regards which a material change of use takes place

The following buildings are exempted from the requirement to obtain a
Fire Safety Certificate:

1.a single storey building which—

(i) is used exclusively for the storage of materials or products, for
the accommodation of plant or machinery or in connection
with the housing, care or management of livestock,
(ii) is used solely for the purpose of agriculture,
(iii) is a building in which the only persons habitually employed are
engaged solely in the care, supervision, regulation,
maintenance, storage or removal of the materials, products,
plant, machinery or livestock in the building, and which is
either attached to another such building or detached from any
other building,
2. a building used as a dwelling other then a flat,

3. a single storey building used as a domestic garage,

4. a single storey building (other than one described in (3)

ancillary to a dwelling (such as a summer house, poultry-
house, aviary, conservatory, coal shed, garden tool shed or
bicycle shed) which is used exclusively for recreational or
storage purposes or the keeping of plants, birds or animal
for domestic purpose's and is not used for the purposes of
any trade or business or for human habitation,

5. or to works in connection with such a building provided that,

after the works are carried out, the building is or continues
to be a building referred to in paragraphs (1) to (4).
Under the current Building Control Regulations there
are 3 separate types of Fire Safety Certificates when
dealing with fire safety of building design:

1.Fire Safety Certificate

2.Revised Fire Safety Certificate

3.Regularisation Fire Safety Certificate

Fire Safety Certificate & 7 Day Notice

Before you begin any construction works or make a material

change of use, you should apply for a Fire Safety Certificate. 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 will increase for this fast tracked
application process of 7 Days. 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:

1. A fire safety certificate is granted before grant of planning

permission, and the planning permission requires changes to the
initial design.

2. Significant revision is made to the design or works of a

building for which a fire safety certificate has already been
granted.

You may submit a 7-Day notice form along with the application
in which case you may begin works after 7 days.
Regularisation Fire Safety Certificate

A Regularisation Fire Safety 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 increased for this process 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.
WHEN PREPARING A FIRE SAFETY CERTIFICATE

• Think of how the building will function during a fire.

• How will people escape? – Understand the psychology.
• Consider restrictions, numbers of people, secondary escape
routes
• Mix of Architecture of the building, Engineering of the building
and Psychology of the people
• Travel Distances
• Widths of Escape Routes
• Direction of Escape
• Fire Doors
• Signage
• Protected Corridors & Escape Routes
• Materials
• Fire Ratings of Materials, Walls,
Ceilings, Floors etc
• Facades protected/unprotected
• Distance to neighbouring buildings,
hydrants etc.
• …
Part M – Access and Use
What is a Disability Access Certificate?

A Disability Access Certificate (DAC) is a certificate

granted by a Building Control Authority which certifies
compliance of the design of certain works (e.g. new
buildings (except dwelling houses), some extensions to,
and some material alterations to buildings (except
dwelling houses) with the requirements of Part M of the
Second Schedule of the Building Regulations.

The application process for a DAC is outlined in 2009

amendments to the Building Control Regulations. Part
IIIB of the amended Building Control Regulations sets out
the process and procedures on how to apply for a
Disability access Certificate.
When is a Disability Access Certificate required?

A Disability Access Certificate is required in respect of the

following works to buildings other than dwellings (but
including apartment buildings), in so far as the Requirements
of Part M apply and which commence or take place on or
after 1st January 2010. Where a Fire Safety Certificate is
required for any works, a Disability Access Certificate is also
required.
Is a Disability Access Certificate required prior to
submitting a commencement notice?

No. However, A Disability access certificate is required for

non domestic works which require a Fire Safety
Certificate. It is strongly advised that you obtain a
Disability Access Certificate prior to work commencing on
site and this will avoid any expensive remedial works
which may delay the occupation and/or opening of the
building to have you Disability Access Certificate
application lodged or granted when submitting your
commencement notice.
Note: A building shall not be opened, operated or
occupied unless a Disability Access Certificate has
been granted on the building.
How long will a Disability Access take?

It can take up to 8 weeks for a decision to be made on a

Disability Access Certificate, or may take longer if it’s agreed
with the applicant and the Building Control Authority.

When should I apply for my Disability Access

Certificate?

It is best practice to apply for your Disability Access

Certificate at the same time you are applying for your Fire
Safety Certificate.
What is the fee required for a Disability Access
Certificate?

The cost is €800 per building. The fee is reduced to €500

where the application is made prior to commencement and
coincides with an application for a fire safety certificate.

Can the decision of the Building Control Authority be

appealed?

Yes, the decision can be appealed to An Bórd Pleanála. The

decision must be appealed within 28 days of the decision of
the Building Control Authority.
What is required for a DAC application?

•A fully completed statutory application form

•The required fee

•A site layout plan

•A location map

•2 sets any documentation, calculations, specifications or

other design information

•2 sets of any drawings or maps.

In order to comply with the requirements of the Building
Control (Amendment) Regulations it is very important that
your application includes information to:

• Identify and describe the works or building to which the

application relates;

• Enable the building control authority to assess, whether the

said works or building would, if constructed in accordance
with the said plans and other particulars, comply with the
requirements of Part M of the Second Schedule to the
Building Regulations;

• Identify the nature and extent of the proposed use and,

where appropriate, of the existing use of the building
concerned.
This means a DAC application should include a detailed site
description clearly outlining the extent of the proposed works.

It should also contain information on the existing and proposed

use and ensure sufficient details are provided to indicate to the
Building Control Authority that the works or buildings complies
with the requirements of Part M (i.e. If the works relate to an
extension for example, the DAC application should indicate that
the existing approach to the extension is accessible or it should
contain information indicating that there is independent access
to the extension).

A Revised Disability Access Certificate (RDAC) application

can also be made to a building control authority. A RDAC is
required where significant revisions take place to works or a
building where a DAC has already been granted.
• Width of Doors
• Widths of Routes
• Heights of Counters, Handles,
Switches…
• Accessible Bathrooms
• WC Layouts
• Ramps & Steps
• Accessible Stairs
• Turning Circles
• Signage
• …
 Suggested Reading

Technical Guidance Documents Homepage

TGD B – Fire (2006)

TGD B – Fire : Dwelling Houses (2017)

TGD M – Access and Use (2010)