Fire-safe use of structures

What is it?

For some buildings or parts of buildings where people reside, a fire safety notification may be required. You can quickly find out whether this is the case by answering a number of questions on the website of the Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning, and the Environment. See theOmgevingsloket(Environment Desk) for the permit check. Consult with the municipality if necessary.

What does it cost?

You do not pay any fees for the processing of a usage notification.

Directly arrange

Run the permit check on the Environment Counter

How does it work?

Whether you need a usage notification for the fire safety component depends on what you use the building or part of the building for (the usage function) and how many people use that function and are present there at the same time. In vulnerable situations and for vulnerable persons, that number may be lower without notification than in other situations.

Fire-safe use of structures

Legislation stipulates that the use of certain structures must comply with the requirements of fire-safe use of structures. This distinguishes between:

  • general use;
  • use based on usage notification.

General use

All buildings must comply with the general regulations for fire safety in buildings, even if you are not required to report this. These general regulations are included in Chapter 6 of the Buildings and Living Environment Decree.

Use based on use notification

Section 6.1.2 of the Building Environment Decree specifies when it is mandatory to submit a notification of use to the competent authority in order to be allowed to use a structure in a fire-safe manner. Here you will also find information about all the data and documents you need to submit when filing the notification. You must submit your notification via theOmgevingsloket(Environment Desk). You must submit the notification at least four weeks before using the building.

The municipality will assess your notification and check whether everything has been submitted correctly and in full. If the notification is not correct, it will not be accepted and you will not be allowed to use the structure.

What do I need?

See the environmental permit application product to see what information you need to submit with your application.