The Fire Prevention and Protection Plan (PPCI) is a set of measures aimed at ensuring the safety of buildings in case of fire. The PPCI must be prepared by a qualified professional and approved by the Fire Department, following current technical standards.
The steps to obtain the PPCI (Fire Prevention and Protection Certificate) are:
- Project development: the responsible professional must conduct a study of the building and define the appropriate fire prevention and fighting systems, such as extinguishers, hydrants, sprinklers, alarms, emergency lighting, emergency exits, etc.
- Project protocol: the project must be submitted to the Fire Department, accompanied by the necessary documents, such as the building's floor plan, descriptive report, ART or RRT of the professional, among others.
- Project analysis: The Fire Department will analyze the project and issue a technical opinion, which may be approval, a requirement, or rejection. In case of a requirement, the professional must make the requested adjustments and resubmit the project. In case of rejection, the professional may appeal the decision.
- Building inspection: After project approval, the Fire Department will conduct an inspection of the building to verify that the fire prevention and fighting systems are installed according to the project. If everything is in compliance, a Certificate of Approval (CA) will be issued, which is valid for one to five years, depending on the type of occupancy of the building.
- Fire Prevention and Protection System Maintenance: The owner or person responsible for the building must maintain the fire prevention and protection systems in perfect working order and carry out the periodic inspections required by the Fire Department. In case of alterations to the building or to the fire prevention and protection systems, a new project analysis and a new inspection must be requested.
The Fire Prevention and Protection Plan (PPCI) is a mandatory document for all buildings that pose a fire risk, except for single-family residences. Failure to comply with regulations may result in fines, closures, and even criminal liability in the event of a fire. Therefore, it is essential to have a qualified and experienced professional to prepare and implement your PPCI.
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