Article written by Joyce Low, founder of industrialspace2u.com
One of the pre-requisites to obtaining business license for an industrial property is having a Fire Certificate or having a support letter (surat sokongan) from Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (BOMBA)
The application of Fire Certificate can be done on website www.bless.gov.my
Understanding the Law
Fire Services Act 1988 states that buildings with a high risk of catching fire must get a Fire Certificate (FC) issued by the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (BOMBA) to ensure that the buildings are safe to be occupied. Normally, the building owner, occupant, and the building management committee are responsible for the Fire Certificate application.
Types of Building that Require a Fire Certificate
Fire Services (Designated Premises) Order 1998 states that the designated buildings that need to apply for Fire Certificate are listed in the table below [1]:
Single private dwelling and the place of worship are exempted from obtaining a Fire Certificate
Implication of a Designated Building not having A Fire Certificate
Fire Services Act 1988, Section 33 states that if a designated building does not obtain a Fire Certificate, the owner of the building will be liable to a fine not exceeding RM10,000 or imprisonment for not exceeding 5 years or both and liable to a further fine of RM100 for each day during which the offence is continued after the conviction. [2]
Application of Fire Certificate
After obtaining a Certificate of Completion and Compliance (CCC), the new building must get a Fire Certificate from BOMBA. A Fire Certificate application can be made at the BOMBA headquarter or certain BOMBA station based on the location of the building [3] using Form I. The following documents are to be provided:
- Copy of CCC
- Copy of building plan (which has been approved by BOMBA during CCC application)
- Copy of sale and purchase agreement
- Copy of land title
- Copy of assessment
BOMBA has made it compulsory for all the designated buildings to have the Automatic Fire Monitoring System (SPKA) to link their fire alarm system to the nearest fire station [4]. It will detect a fire in its early stages, notify the owners or the tenants about the fire, and report the incident to the BOMBA. The old Computerized Monitoring System (CMS) has been replaced by SPKA which is the latest system used by BOMBA.
After BOMBA reviewed all the documents, BOMBA will arrange an inspection. If the fire protection system is in order, the applicant can proceed with the payment and a Fire Certificate will be issued.
Yearly Renewal of Fire Certificate
Fire Services (Fire Certificate) Regulations 2001 states that the certificate is valid for one year only from the date issued [5]. Renewal of a Fire Certificate must be made annually. The applicant should use Form III to apply for the renewal of a Fire Certificate and the application must be made at least 30 days before the expiry date. All the renewals are subjected to BOMBA inspection.
Conclusion
The owner of a designated building has the responsibility to check if the requirement to obtain a Fire Certificate has been fulfilled. If a Fire Certificate is needed, the owner can follow the guidelines above to apply for it. This is to ensure the designated building is safe to be occupied and avoid penalties from being levied by BOMBA. The fire insurance premium for cargo stored in a warehouse or factory with Fire Certificate is lower as compared to warehouse or factory that is not having Fire Certificate. Hence, there is a business case to encourage obtaining the Fire Certificate
The Compliance to the above Procedures and Processes of Fire Certificate Application can be made easy with assistance of the support team at industrialspace2u.com. We have a range of industrial property available for sale and rent for your warehouse and factory requirements. Contact Joyce at +6017 333 8007 or joyce@industrialspace2u.com today!
References:
[1] Perintah Perkhidmatan BOMBA (Premis Ditetapkan) 1998. (1998, July). Akta Perkhidmatan BOMBA 1998. P.U. (A) 276/1998.
[2] Fire Services Act 1988. (2006, January). Page 21-26. Official Portal Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia. Retrieved from http://www.bomba.gov.my/bomba/resources/Akta_Bomba_(english).pdf
[3] Jadual Pejabat Zon Bomba dan Pihak Berkuasa Tempatan. (2020, March). Official Portal Fire and Rescue Department
[4] Perakuan Bomba. (2020, February). Official Portal Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia. Retrieved from http://www.bomba.gov.my/index.php/pages/view/303
[5] Peraturan-Peraturan Perkhidmatan BOMBA (Perakuan BOMBA) 2001. (2001, August). Akta Perkhidmatan BOMBA 1998. P.U. (A) 241/2001
[6] https://ipm.my/fire-certificate-application/
Figure 2.1 : User Manual for Business Licensing Electronic Support System
Figure 2.2 : User Manual for Business Licensing Electronic Support System
Figure 2.3 : User Manual for Business Licensing Electronic Support System
Figure 2.4 : User Manual for Business Licensing Electronic Support System
Figure 2.5 : User Manual for Business Licensing Electronic Support System
Figure 2.6 : User Manual for Business Licensing Electronic Support System – Fire Sertificate
Figure 2.7 : User Manual for Business Licensing Electronic Support System