Czech legislation

In June the Czech Ministry of the Interior published a Draft Decree on the technical requirements for the fire protection of buildings. It is proposed that it will come into force 1st January 2008. The Decree sets down the technical requirements for fire protection in the design, construction and use of buildings.

Whilst all buildings are covered, of particular interest are the requirements for family homes to have independent smoke alarms fitted in the route leading to the exit and in larger apartments also in circulation areas. In apartment buildings each individual apartment must have an independent detection and alarm system. Hostels must have a higher level of protection and also upholstered furniture in hostels must be resistant to match ignition when tested in accordance with EN1021.

The regulations in some cases are retrospective so that certain buildings already in use will need to comply within 6 months of the regulations coming into force.

It is encouraging to see that one of the more recent countries to join the EU is setting much higher fire safety standards than some of the original Member States.