The Fire Service is a notified party in relation to certain types of certificate/licensing applications to the courts by public premises. Notification allows the Fire Service to inspect the premises involved and to be represented at the licence hearing to state if it has any objection to the licence being granted.
Licensing Procedure
Certificate/Licence types heard in the District Court that require notification to the Fire Service are listed by the Courts Service.
Each notification forwarded to the Fire Service related to a court date must enclose a €275 fee. (Exception: Multiple notifications for the same premises, relating to the same court sitting incur only one €275 fee).
On receipt of a notification of a certificate / licence application, the Fire Authority will immediately write to the applicants solicitor to notify him/her that a premises inspection will be carried out. The applicant will be requested to have the following test certificates (where relevant) ready for inspection.
- Emergency Lighting
- Fire Detection & Alarm System
- Fire Extinguishers
On the day of the inspection the following items (where relevant) will be checked by the inspecting officer:
- Emergency Lighting
- Fire Detection & Alarm System
- Fire Extinguishers
- Internal Escape Routes
- Fire Doors
- Final Exit/ Escape Doors, Locking Devices & Push-Bar Devices
- Fire Safety Register & Staff Training
- Furnishing & Fittings
- High Risk/ Storage Areas
Licencees should ensure that prior to the premises inspection all of the above have been checked and that any annual test certificates are available for inspection. This will minimise delays in obtaining your licence. If the inspecting officer considers deficiencies exist a schedule of works will be issued to the applicant. The applicant will be required to have these works completed prior to the court hearing.
The Department of the Environment published Code of Practice for the Management of Fire Safety in Places of Assembly is a useful guide for premises owners / occupiers. A sample Fire Register is included in it's appendices.