Bygningsreglementets vejledning til kapitel 34 – Certified Fire Safety Consultant's Scope of Work
This guidance document is issued by Social- og Boligstyrelsen in Denmark and is linked to Kapitel 34 of the Danish Building Regulations (BR18). It provides a detailed framework for the professional scope of work required of certified fire safety consultants. The document, updated on 22 January 2024, incorporates changes regarding fire safety control plans that entered into force on 1 January 2024. It must be read in conjunction with the guidance for BR18, Kapitel 32, which outlines the general framework for certified structural engineers and fire safety consultants.
The scope of the guidance covers all construction projects classified within Brandklasse 2–4 (Fire Classes 2 to 4). It defines the mandatory tasks and responsibilities for consultants acting as either the preparer (udarbejdende) or the controller (kontrollerende) of fire safety documentation. The document explicitly excludes documentation for Brandklasse 1 from the certified consultant's mandatory scope. It covers the preparation and control of documentation relating to fire design, technical fire control plans, and the issuance of start and end declarations (start- og sluterklæring).
Specific focus is placed on the minimumsvirke (minimum scope of work) as defined in BR18, §§ 548 and 550. The text details various operational models for the division of labor, including provisions for assistance, delegation (uddelegering), and third-party control (tredjepartskontrol) for complex high-risk projects.
Roles as Preparer and Controller
A certified fire safety consultant can act in one of two distinct roles for a given project, as specified in BR18, § 534:
- Preparer (Udarbejdende): The consultant prepares central parts of the fire safety documentation and ensures the documentation constitutes a coherent whole that meets the required safety levels.
- Controller (Kontrollerende): The consultant acts as an independent controller of the fire safety documentation to ensure it complies with BR18, Kapitel 29 and the specified safety requirements.
The consultant must be certified for the specific fire class the building is placed in. For projects in Brandklasse 4, an additional certificeret tredjepartskontrollant (certified third-party controller) must be appointed by the building owner to provide an independent and impartial review.
Minimum Scope of Work and Control Models
The minimumsvirke defines the tasks that the certified consultant must perform personally. These are categorized into several models for different parts of the documentation:
- Model a1: The certified consultant prepares the documentation or specific sections themselves.
- Model a2: The consultant uses assistance from a competent co-designer but remains responsible for the quality and compliance.
- Model b1: The consultant performs the independent control themselves.
- Model b2: The consultant uses assistance for the control but personally ensures the quality of the control reports.
- Model c: Delegation of tasks where the certified consultant performs supplerende kontrol (supplementary control) to ensure the documentation aligns with the overall fire strategy.
- Model d: Situations where the consultant neither prepares nor delegates but must be familiar with the documentation through supplementary control.
Start and End Declarations (Start- og sluterklæring)
Pursuant to BR18, § 548, stk. 1, nr. 1, the certified fire safety consultant is responsible for issuing official declarations at the beginning and completion of the construction work:
- Starterklæring: Submitted with the building permit application. It describes the consultant's role and confirms that the documentation for fire classification and emergency services access is prepared.
- Sluterklæring: Submitted with the completion notification (færdigmelding). It confirms that the final fire safety documentation is complete, controlled, and that the building complies with the fire safety requirements of the building permit.
Deviations and Special Projects
The guidance addresses specific scenarios involving deviations from standard solutions and specialized fire safety plans:
- Deviations (§ 493): For deviations from pre-accepted solutions, the consultant must ensure that the specific solution and the combined fire safety measures meet the functional requirements of BR18, Kapitel 5.
- Space Allocation Plans (§ 6 h): Special rules apply to the preparation or modification of pladsfordelingsplaner (space allocation plans), flugtvejsplaner (escape route plans), and inventaropstillingsplaner (furniture layout plans).
- Project Handover (§ 551): Detailed procedures for transferring a project from one certified consultant to another, requiring a formal declaration of work performed and the status of fire safety controls.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which building projects require a certified fire safety consultant?
A certified fire safety consultant must be attached to all projects classified in Brandklasse 2, 3, or 4 according to BR18, §§ 20-22.
Can the same person be both preparer and controller on a project?
No, the consultant acting as the kontrollerende (controller) must be independent of the project organization responsible for the design and preparation of the documentation.
What is the difference between assistance and delegation?
Assistance (Model a2/b2) involves a co-designer working under the consultant's direct management, while uddelegering (Model c) involves transferring the task to another actor, necessitating supplementary control by the certified consultant.
When is a third-party controller required?
A certificeret tredjepartskontrollant is mandatory for all construction projects placed in Brandklasse 4 to ensure an impartial audit of the fire safety design.
What is 'supplerende kontrol'?
This refers to additional control performed by the certified consultant beyond the standard requirements of BR18, Kapitel 30 to ensure that delegated or third-party documentation is consistent with the project's overall fire strategy.
Are buildings in Brandklasse 1 covered by this guidance?
No, fire safety documentation for Brandklasse 1 projects is explicitly excluded from the scope of work for certified consultants under BR18, § 10, stk. 7.
What must be included in a sluterklæring?
The sluterklæring must include a report on the consultant's scope of work, confirm that all controls are completed, and verify that deviations from pre-accepted solutions are properly documented and addressed.
