Vejledning til BR18, kapitel 29 – Danish Building Regulations Fire Documentation Guidance
The Vejledning til BR18, kapitel 29, dokumentation af brandforhold is an official regulatory guidance document issued by the Trafik-, Bygge- og Boligstyrelsen (Danish Transport, Construction and Housing Authority). Released on July 11, 2019, this document provides the technical and administrative framework for documenting fire safety conditions in accordance with the Bygningsreglementet 2018 (BR18). It establishes the requirements for verifying that building fire protection meets the safety standards defined in Chapter 5 of the Danish building code.
The scope of this guidance covers the processes, organization, and required documentation for building projects across various Brandklasser (Fire Classes). It details the roles of the Certificeret brandrådgiver (Certified Fire Consultant), the design team, and the contractors. The document outlines specific regulatory instruments including the Starterklæring (Initial Statement), Sluterklæring (Final Statement), Brandstrategirapport (Fire Strategy Report), and the Brandteknisk kontrolplan (Fire Technical Control Plan). It also addresses specialized documentation such as Pladsfordelingsplaner for rooms with more than 150 persons and DKV-planer (Operation, Control, and Maintenance plans).
This guidance is structured to lead professionals through the design, project development, and execution phases. It ensures a standardized approach to fire safety verification for both traditional and complex building projects in Denmark.
Actors and Competencies
The documentation process involves several distinct roles with specific responsibilities defined under BR18 Chapters 32 and 34.
- Certificeret brandrådgiver: A certified professional required for projects in Fire Classes 2–4 to prepare or control fire safety documentation.
- Brandrådgiver: A competent person responsible for drafting technical documentation.
- Projekterende: Designers and engineers who plan and dimension fire protection measures.
- Udførende: Contractors responsible for the correct installation of fire safety measures during construction.
Permit Documentation Requirements
Documentation is submitted in two primary stages: the application for a building permit and the application for an occupancy permit (ibrugtagningstilladelse).
- Starterklæring (§ 508): Submitted with the building permit application. It confirms the correct fire class selection and that the design complies with Chapter 5 requirements.
- Sluterklæring (§ 509): Submitted upon completion. It certifies that the finished building matches the approved fire safety design and that the DKV-plan is in place.
- Indsatstaktisk traditionelt (§ 510): Documentation verifying if the building supports traditional fire service response tactics.
Fire Technical Documentation Components
Specific documents must be drafted to detail the fire strategy and technical installations of the project.
- Brandstrategirapport (§ 512): Describes the overarching fire safety concept, including evacuation principles and fire resistance requirements.
- Funktionsbeskrivelse (§ 517): A functional description detailing which fire safety measures are required and their intended performance.
- Brandplaner (§ 513): Floor plans showing fire compartments, escape routes, and the placement of fire technical installations.
- Brandteknisk kontrolplan (§ 518): A central document establishing the requirements for control across the three phases: design, project development, and execution.
Fire Class 1 Documentation
Simplified requirements apply to Fire Class 1 (BK1) buildings, which typically include single-family houses and smaller office or industrial buildings under 600 m².
- Usage Category 1 or 4: Documentation must identify if the building falls under category 1 (daytime use, known inhabitants) or category 4 (residential).
- Pre-accepted solutions: BK1 documentation focuses on adherence to standard solutions described in the annexes to Chapter 5.
- Drawing materials: Basic site plans and section drawings showing distances to boundaries and other buildings are required.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is a certified fire consultant required in Denmark?
A certified fire consultant must be involved for all building projects categorized in Fire Classes 2, 3, or 4 to prepare and control fire safety documentation.
What information must be included in a Starterklæring?
It must state that the documentation is submitted per § 23, the building is tactically traditional (if applicable), the correct fire class is chosen, and a sufficient control plan has been developed.
Which language should the fire documentation be written in?
According to the guidance, all fire safety documentation for building projects in Denmark must be prepared in either Danish or English.
At what threshold is a Pladsfordelingsplan required?
A space allocation plan (pladsfordelingsplan) is required for rooms designed to accommodate more than 150 persons, such as assembly halls or large shops.
What is the purpose of the Brandteknisk kontrolrapport?
The control report documents that the controls specified in the control plan have been carried out and that any deviations found during construction have been addressed.
How are changes managed during the construction process?
Significant changes must be documented in a revision log (ændringslog) placed in the fire strategy report, ensuring traceability of who made the change and when.
