Danish Building Regulation Annex 11b – Fire Safety for Temporary Overnight Stays
This document, Bilag 11b: Præ-accepterede løsninger for midlertidig overnatning i bygninger, is a technical annex to the Bygningsreglementets vejledning til kapitel 5 – Brand (Building Regulation Guidance on Chapter 5 – Fire). Issued by the Danish Social- og Boligstyrelsen (Social and Housing Authority), Version 1.1 (September 2, 2024), it provides a framework for temporary accommodation in buildings not normally approved or intended for overnight stays. These regulations sit under the broader BR18 (Bygningsreglementet 2018) legal framework.
The scope of the guidance covers temporary stays typically associated with sports tournaments, festivals, and courses. It specifically applies to building sections categorized under Anvendelseskategori 1, 2, 3, and 6, which include offices, schools, assembly halls, and daycare centers. It excludes Anvendelseskategori 5, which remains the standard for permanent accommodation facilities like hotels and hostels. The document defines the specific operational conditions, notification timelines, and technical requirements necessary to maintain fire safety without requiring a formal change of use permit, provided the stay does not exceed 50 days per calendar year.
The following sections detail the classification of building types, the requirements for municipal notification, and the specific operational fire safety measures required for compliance, such as alarm systems, evacuation routes, and staff responsibilities.
Building Categories for Temporary Use
Temporary overnight stays are permitted in specific building categories where occupants are either familiar with the layout or are capable of self-evacuation. The document classifies these as follows:
- Anvendelseskategori 1: Includes offices, canteens for staff, and agricultural buildings. This category is restricted to individuals who are familiar with escape routes.
- Anvendelseskategori 2: Includes teaching rooms, school-based childcare (SFO), and small assembly rooms (max 100 m²) for up to 50 people.
- Anvendelseskategori 3: Covers larger assembly rooms, canteens, sports halls, and churches where more than 50 people may stay.
- Anvendelseskategori 6: Includes daycare facilities, nurseries, and institutions for individuals with physical or cognitive disabilities.
Certain building types are excluded from these pre-accepted solutions, including industrial warehouses, garages, and technical buildings. Stays in these excluded types require specific individual building permits.
Notification and Permit Procedures
The municipal authority (Kommunalbestyrelsen) must be notified before any temporary stay commences. The timing of this notification depends on the number of occupants:
- Up to 150 people: Notification must be received at least 2 weeks before the first night.
- More than 150 people: Notification must be received at least 4 weeks before the first night.
- Maximum duration: Stays are limited to a total of 50 days per calendar year in the same building section.
If the stay exceeds 50 days, it is legally considered a change of use to Anvendelseskategori 5 and requires a formal building permit. Notifications must include the exact dates, address, number of occupants, information on minors, and contact details for the responsible person.
Fire Safety and Operational Measures
Operational measures are divided into technical installations and human oversight to ensure rapid detection and evacuation:
- Varsling (Alarms): Smoke alarms must be installed if no automatic fire alarm system (AVA) exists. Alarms must be interconnected and placed no more than 10 meters apart horizontally and no higher than 11 meters above the floor.
- Vågen vagt (Waking Watch): For more than 150 occupants, a constant, awake guard must perform continuous inspection rounds.
- Firefighting equipment: Water-based extinguishers (Type 21A) or hose reels must be available within 30 meters of any point in the sleeping area.
- Space requirements: Sleeping areas should be dimensioned based on a maximum of one person per 2.5 m² of floor area.
Evacuation and Escape Routes
The document mandates strict requirements for escape route maintenance and accessibility during temporary stays:
- Width of routes: Escape passages within a room must be at least 0.8 meters for up to 50 people, and 1.3 meters for more than 50 people.
- Exit doors: Must be easily opened without keys or tools, requiring a maximum force of 100 N.
- External routes: Paths leading to the outdoors must be kept clear of vegetation, inventory, and snow over a width of at least 1.3 meters.
- Prohibitions: Smoking, open flames, candles, and cooking plates are strictly forbidden in sleeping rooms and escape routes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum number of days allowed for temporary overnight stays?
A building section may be used for temporary overnight stays for a maximum of 50 days per calendar year before it requires a formal change of use permit.
When must I notify the municipality about a stay for 200 people?
For stays involving more than 150 people, the municipal authority must receive notification at least 4 weeks prior to the first overnight stay.
Is a waking watch required for temporary accommodation?
A permanent waking watch (fast vågen vagt) is mandatory in building sections housing more than 150 overnight guests to perform continuous safety inspections.
What are the rules for charging electronics in sleeping areas?
Electronics and chargers must be placed on non-combustible or difficult-to-ignite surfaces, such as hard wood, during charging.
What type of fire extinguisher is required in these buildings?
If water hose reels are not present, water-based fire extinguishers of at least type 21A or hand-pump batteries must be provided.
Are there specific floor area requirements per person?
Rooms should ideally be dimensioned to allow for 2.5 m² of floor area per overnight guest to ensure safe movement and storage.
