Vejledning om ombygninger og brug af certificerede rådgivere – Guidance on BR18 Building Renovations
This guidance document, issued by the Danish Transport, Construction and Housing Authority (Trafik-, Bygge- og Boligstyrelsen), outlines the administrative provisions for building renovations and the use of certified consultants following the amendment to the Danish Building Regulations (BR18) on March 10, 2020. It serves as a regulatory framework for municipal authorities and building owners to determine which modification projects require a formal building permit and which are exempt under the updated statutes.
The scope of the document primarily concerns alterations to existing buildings as defined in § 5, stk. 1, nr. 4 of the building regulations. It details the specific criteria for structural integrity, fire safety conditions, and the mandatory involvement of certificeret brandrådgiver (certified fire consultants) and certificeret statiker (certified structural engineers). The guidance includes technical thresholds for load-bearing modifications and provides a series of practical examples to illustrate the application of the law in complex renovation scenarios.
The following sections detail the specific legal requirements for permit exemptions, the responsibilities of the municipal board, and the documentation standards for different building classes.
Renovations Exempt from Building Permits
Under § 5, stk. 1, nr. 4, certain renovations in existing buildings can be initiated without a building permit provided they do not alter the functioning of load-bearing structures or the fundamental fire safety conditions. The following conditions must be met for a project to be exempt:
- No Significant Change of Use: The modification must not result in a significant change in how the building is used, such as converting a residential unit to commercial space.
- No Floor Area Expansion: The total floor area of the building must remain unchanged.
- Structural Stability: The work must not introduce new load-bearing elements or change the way existing load-bearing structures operate.
- Fire Safety Assumptions: The legal fire safety conditions of the building must be maintained or improved without altering the underlying fire strategy.
Technical Limits for Structural Modifications
The guidance defines a significant change to the functioning of load-bearing structures based on specific load thresholds. If a renovation increases the load on existing structures by more than 5% of the original total load, or if it reduces the load in a way that negatively impacts stabilizing structures, it is considered a significant change and requires a building permit.
- Permitted without permit: Moving or removing non-load-bearing walls, establishing holes that do not affect structural performance, and replacing secondary beams in timber floors.
- Requires a permit: Partial removal of a load-bearing wall, establishing holes in load-bearing elements, installing exchange beams, or adding a balcony.
If the original structural components are replaced, the new parts must at least match the performance of the original components in terms of both fire resistance and structural capacity.
Fire Safety and Certified Consultants
For fire safety, renovations are exempt from permits if they do not change the existing fire strategy. This includes aspects such as escape routes, rescue conditions, and fire compartments. If the work involves restoring these aspects to their original legal state, it is not considered a change.
- Building Classes: Buildings are categorized into fire classes (BK1-BK4) and construction classes (KK1-KK4).
- Certified Consultants: Projects in classes BK2-BK4 or KK2-KK4 require the attachment of a certified consultant to assess whether the renovation impacts structural or fire safety.
- Class 1 Exemptions: There is generally no requirement for a certified consultant for buildings placed in KK1 or BK1.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does moving a non-load-bearing wall require a building permit?
No, moving or removing non-load-bearing walls is generally exempt from building permit requirements under § 5, stk. 1, nr. 4, provided it does not affect fire safety conditions.
What is the maximum load increase allowed without a permit?
A building permit is required if the renovation increases the load on existing load-bearing structures by more than 5% of the original total load.
Can I convert a home into an office without a permit?
No, changing the use from residential to commercial is considered a significant change of use and requires a building permit application.
When must a certified fire consultant be involved?
A certified fire consultant must be involved for projects in fire classes BK2 through BK4 to assess if the renovation alters the fire safety assumptions.
Are balconies exempt from building permits?
No, the establishment of a balcony is cited as an example of a structural change that requires a building permit.
What happens if a permit application was submitted before March 10, 2020?
The new rules apply to applications submitted before March 10, 2020, that are still being processed, potentially allowing cases to be closed without further treatment if they meet the new exemption criteria.
