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Number of buildings and annual fire inspections? Types of constructions are inspected?

Any mandatory training for fire inspectors? Is it possible to charge a fee for a fire inspection?

Number of buildings and annual fire inspections

Country Number of buildings subject to fire inspections Number of annual fire inspections

Austria Unknown Unknown

Belgium Unknown Unknown

Denmark 41.427 (2001) 28.220 (2001)

Finland 1,4 Million. 41.469 subject to annual

Greece All buildings 60.000 (2002)

Ireland Section 18 (2) of the Fire Services Act, 1981 places the responsibility for fire safety on the

‘person in control’ of premises. This section of the Act applies to practically all buildings, other than domestic buildings, which are excluded.

Many thousands of buildings therefore are potentially subject to fire inspection, but in practical terms, certain categories of buildings are prioritised. The legacy of the disastrous Stardust fire in 1981 still informs priority-setting here, and

“Places of Public Resort” such as pubs and dance venues are among the most frequently inspected.

There are three principal categories of fire safety inspection, deriving from different sections of the Fire Services Act, 1981 S 13 –Applications for Planning Permission are referred to fire services S 24 – Premises which apply for District Court Licences are inspected

S 18 – Priority category buildings are inspected, and “during performance inspections” are conducted

The following table shows the numbers of building inspections under each category in 2000

Section 13 2738 Section 24 3475 Section 18 3475 Total 11,997 Italy 191,000 certificates of fire prevention are issued.

Each certificate follows a preliminary

consideration of the project and an on-the-spot inspection.

No answer

Norway 35.716 (2001) 22.791 (2002)

Portugal 29.806 (2002) 5000 (2002)

Sweden 85.000 (2000) 36.000 (2000)

The Netherlands 179.000 (2001) 45.500 (2002)

UK England & Wales - 1,212,085 Scotland - 52757

Northern Ireland – 5,036

England & Wales – 561,442 Scotland - 13867

Northern Ireland – 8,194

What types of constructions are inspected?

Is there any mandatory training for fire inspectors?

Country What types of constructions are inspected? Is there any mandatory training for fire inspectors?

Austria In accordance to the industrial code buildings which are used by a great number of persons (shopping centres, hotels, entertainment centres) or big industrial buildings are inspected every 5 years

No

Belgium New constructions except residential houses Yes it is regulated by fire schools Denmark Buildings with many people in the same room

(e.g. meeting halls, restaurants, discotheques), hotels, shops, day-care institutions, schools, heritage buildings and industrial premises with special fire risk.

Yes, it is regulated by the Danish Emergency Management Agency

Finland All buildings. Annual inspections in:

1) hotels, hostels, camping sites, etc. for over 10 guests

2) hospitals, nursing homes, prisons, etc.

having over 5 places

3) commercial premises and places of assembly which are for larger public, such as shops, schools and theatres of over 500 m², restaurants for over 50 customers, day-care centres for over 25 places

4) larger industrial premises, storages or farms 5) premises where manufacture or storage of flammable or explosive substances may cause danger for life, property or environment 6) premises that have automatic fire alarm or sprinkler system.

Yes, based on Rescue Services Act.

Training requirements will be withdrawn with new legislation entering into force on January 2004

Germany Assembly facilities (theatre, cinema, football stadium…), schools, hospitals, hotels.

Wholesale and retail facilities > 2000m2, nursing homes, industrial facilities, storage facilities, high rise, other large structures representing a special danger to people or fire and explosive danger

Here is special training for fire inspectors.

Fire fighters receive extensive qualification in the course or their training. They have to have sufficient actual fire fighting experience and participate regularly (once or twice w year) in a central experience exchange at state level

Greece All types of constructions are inspected.

Examples:, hotels, schools, offices, shops, assembly, residences, industrial plants and warehouses, parking facilities and fuel stations, marines, camping sites etc.

Yes, it is regulated by the Greek Fire Academy.

Ireland As noted above, priority categories are determined by each local authority, but in general, places of public assembly are prioritised. A particular category may be targeted in a specific year eg pre-school child care premises were inspected to coincided with new regulations and a new publication on fire safety in that sector.

As discussed above, officers working on fire safety are generally required to have a relevant degree on recruitment.

Subsequently the Fire Services Council annual training program offers appropriate initial and on-going training for these officers. Specific courses have been devised in recent years to enable non-graduate officers to undertake appropriate inspection work. While this training is not mandatory, a very high percentage of officers avail of the training offered.

In addition fire authorities support (by way of paying fees and giving time) graduate officers to undertake post-graduate studies, and non-post-graduates to undertake degree courses. In the post-graduate field, one university offers a one-year diploma course in fire engineering, and another offers a two-year masters course. Both courses are undertaken on a part-time basis - the diploma involves lectures on Friday/ Saturday and the masters involves a full-time commitment one week in four. Participation is voluntary.

Italy 97 types of activities:

-civil -industrial -commercial

subject to a preliminary consideration of the project and to the issue of the Certificate of Fire Prevention (see above). Inspections are also carried out for the surveillance on the places of work and for investigations for the purpose of the justice.

Since Fire Brigade Officers are responsible for inspections, their competence/legitimacy is related to the professional training received at the beginning of their career and afterwards.

This training includes directions on how to carry out inspections. This course, which follows a public competition based on exams, lasts six months. It starts upon hiring and is mandatory. Also officers attend during their career refresher courses organized by the Administration and lasting different periods.

Norway A) buildings and areas where fire may cause more than ordinary risk of loss of life, B) buildings, installations, stores, tunnels etc.

which, due to their nature or the activities taking place inside them, are assumed to involve special risk of fire or risk of large-scale fire, or where fire may have serious social consequences,

C) buildings and installations of culture-historical value to society

Yes

Portugal Domestic buildings, commercial, industrial,

school, health (hospitals) In all Districts Coordination Center, there is technical with degree in engineering and architecture, to analyze the projects. A significant number of fire chiefs

(volunteers and professional), also hold specific diploma and qualification in the fire safety field, in order to made fire inspections

Sweden Meeting halls/buildings, industrial premises, hotels and restaurants, hospitals, airports, harbours, schools, department stores, camping sites, power plants, and other establishments that receive many visitors, particular venues presenting major fire risks.

Yes, it is regulated by the Swedish Rescue Services Act

The Netherlands Examples: Meeting halls/buildings, industrial premises, hotels and restaurants, hospitals, airports, harbours, schools, department stores, camping sites, power plants, and other establishments that receive many visitors, particular venues presenting major fire risks.

No, although most of the members of fire inspection bodies received a specific training.

UK Hotels (with a few exceptions). Factories.

Offices. Shops. Hospitals. Boarding Schools.

Theatres. Cinemas. Licensed Premises (Alcohol)

All fire service officers are required to undertake basic courses in fire safety. All Fire Safety officers are required to undertake further specialist courses.

Is it possible to charge a fee for a fire inspection?

Country Is it possible to charge a fee for a fire inspection?

Austria No Belgium Yes

Denmark No, but there are some plans Finland No

Greece No Ireland Yes

Italy Fees are fixed by the law.

Norway No

Portugal Yes, the owner pay a tax for the inspections to the National Fire Service and Civil Protection Sweden Yes

The Netherlands No, local government is responsible for the inspections

UK No