The Legal Regime for Fire Safety in Buildings (RJ-SCIE) ensures the maintenance of the safety conditions, defined in the project, throughout the life of the building, however this objective is achieved through the implementation of the so-called Self-protection Measures.
Fire safety in buildings does not depend only on good design and correct execution during the construction phase.
It also depends on a varied set of actions, as well as on areas of knowledge that are interdependent with each other, and that complement each other, thus ensuring and strengthening the ultimate objective, which is the elimination of the risk of fire.
What are Self-Protection Measures?
They are a set of security organization and management procedures that aim at two main purposes:
- Ensure the maintenance of the safety conditions defined in the work project
- Ensure a minimum structure for responding to emergencies
However, they also intend to ensure that the fire safety system equipment is permanently operational so that occupants can safely leave the building in the event of an emergency.
MAPs are made up of:
Security Records
Thus, according to the RJ-SCIE, the safety records are intended for recording relevant occurrences and the safekeeping of reports related to fire safety, equipment, and installations. For this reason, the following data must be included in these records:
Survey and inspection reports;
- Anomalies observed in the verification, conservation, or maintenance operations of the technical installations, including dates of their detection and respective repair;
- Incidents and breakdowns, directly or indirectly related to fire safety;
- Brief reports of instruction and training actions, as well as security exercises, mentioning the most relevant aspects
Prevention Measures
These are prevention procedures or plans, fire safety training, and drills. Therefore, the prevention plan consists of:
- Geographic framework;
- Brief description of the area and characterization of the building;
- Identification and location of emergency routes and exits;
- Identification of fire safety equipment and systems;
- Maintenance program for fire safety equipment;
- Training plan and simulation exercises;
Emergency Measures
These are the set of procedures and action techniques to be adopted by occupants in an emergency, namely:
- The alarm procedures to be followed in case of detection or perception of an alarm;
- Alert procedures;
- The procedures to be adopted to guarantee the quick and safe evacuation of spaces at risk;
- Techniques for using first intervention means and other means of action in the event of fire (at least portable fire extinguishers)
- Firefighter reception and referral procedures
- Emergency plants
Training actions
They are intended for all employees and collaborators of the operating entities. These also include specific training for those who deal with situations of greater risk of fire or who belong to the security organization’s teams.
Simulations
These are internal emergency plan tests and occupant training.
Who can prepare the Self-protection Measures?
According to Article 15 of DL nº 220/2008 of November 12, in its current wording, the responsibility for the preparation of SCIE projects and Self-protection Measures referring to buildings and premises classified in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th risk categories, must be assumed exclusively by an architect, recognized by the Order of Architects or by an engineer, recognized by the Order of Engineers, or by a technical engineer, recognized by the Order of Technical Engineers, with a certificate of specialization declared for the purpose by the requirements that have been the subject of a protocol between ANEPC and each of those professional associations.
To whom and when should the Self-protection Measures be delivered?
Self-protection measures must be submitted via the e_portugal portal: https://eportugal.gov.pt/
Up to 30 days before the entry into use of the space, in the case of new construction, alteration, expansion, or change of use (article 34 of the RJ-SCIE);
In the case of existing buildings and enclosures, the implementation must be immediate because the legal deadline established for this purpose expired on January 1, 2010;
For those who want and need more detailed and detailed information, consult us here: https://criterdestaque.pt/contactos/
Information sources:
https://eportugal.gov.pt/entidades/autoridade-nacional-de-emergencia-e-protecao-civil
