Recently, there have been changes in the fire protection of buildings in the Czech Republic, aimed at increasing the safety and protection of buildings and their occupants against fire.
The changes mainly concern buildings intended for school activities and pre-school care. It is important for the owners of these properties to be informed about the changes and to make sure their buildings meet the new requirements.
Changes introduced by Decree No. 232/2023 Coll. on technical conditions of fire protection of buildings:
On 4 July 2023, the new Decree No. 232/2023 Coll. came into force, bringing changes and updates to the technical fire protection requirements for buildings, focusing mainly on childcare. Let us take a closer look at the key aspects of the new decree and its impact on construction projects and existing buildings.
Background and context:
Decree No. 232/2023 Coll. was created in response to the need to modernise and improve the existing legal framework for technical fire protection requirements for buildings. The previous version of the decree, No. 23/2008 Coll. as amended by Decree No. 268/2011 Coll., no longer reflected current technological and safety standards and therefore had to be updated.
Key changes:
- EU directive: the new decree now explicitly states that it complies with Directive (EU) 2015/1535 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 September 2015. This directive ensures coordination in providing information on technical regulations and rules on information society services.
- Section 18(2) repealed – it concerned the location of nurseries (crèches) and prohibited placing them in underground floors unless an exit led directly outside. The former paragraphs 3 to 6 of Decree 23/2008 Coll. are renumbered as paragraphs 2 to 5.
- Section 23 replaced by Section 23a, which, including its heading, reads: Fire protection requirements for the use of premises where childcare is provided in a children’s group.
-
- Detection and alarm: the premises, with the exception of sanitary facilities, and the adjoining unprotected escape routes must be equipped with an autonomous fire detection and alarm device or equally effective equipment.
- Fire extinguishers: the premises must be equipped with at least one portable fire extinguisher with a fire rating of at least 21A.
- Separate fire compartment: the premises must form a separate fire compartment or be separated from other parts of the building by a fire-separating structure with a fire resistance of at least 30 minutes.
- Capacity limit: one or more childcare services in a children’s group may be provided within the fire compartment of a flat, provided that the total capacity does not exceed 12 children.
- Location limit: the premises must not be located above the second floor above ground or underground, unless an escape exit leads directly outside.
- Multiple escape routes: if the capacity of the premises exceeds 12 children, at least 2 escape routes must lead from its fire compartment.
- Length of escape routes: the permitted length of an unprotected escape route depends on the number of escape routes, with a maximum of 25 m for a single escape route and 40 m for multiple escape routes.
- Fire performance of materials: the premises must meet the requirements for the surface finishes of ceilings, suspended ceilings, walls and floor coverings, including reaction to fire classes.
- Exceptions for small groups: paragraphs 3 to 8 do not apply to premises where childcare is provided in a children’s group with a total capacity of no more than 6 children.
The decree takes effect on 1 August 2023, except for the provisions of Section 23a, which take effect on 1 January 2025.
For buildings intended for childcare (schools, school facilities, pre-school facilities) that started operating before the decree took effect, the technical fire protection requirements are still assessed according to the old version of Decree No. 23/2008 Coll.
Need advice?
Published: 9/2023
