This decree shall also apply to the construction of new buildings, building extensions or an increase in floor area. It shall also apply to repair and renovation work if the fire safety of a building or part thereof is adversely affected as the result of repairs or renovations, and if improving the fire safety of a building is justified by repair and renovation work, taking into account the prevention of personal safety risks.

Ministry of the Environment Decree on the fire safety of buildings

Pursuant to § 117 b of the Land Use and Building Act (132/1999), detailed rules concerning the fire safety of buildings as regards the construction of new buildings, their repair, maintenance and renovations as well as a change in intended use may be issued by a Ministry of the Environment decree regarding:

1) restriction of the ignition and spread of fire, as well as the fire safety of building technology and heating equipment;

2) load-bearing capacity of buildings in a fire and the properties of construction products related thereto;

3) restriction of the development and spread of fire and smoke, and the properties of construction products related thereto;

4) evacuation safety and safety reports;

5) organisation of fire-extinguishing and rescue tasks.

Pursuant to § 117 b, a construction company shall take care that a building is designed and built for fire safety according to its intended use. The ignition risk must be limited. The load-bearing parts of a building shall be such that they hold up for the minimum time in the event of a fire, taking into account the building collapse, safe evacuation, rescue work and control of the fire. It must be possible to limit the development and spread of fire and smoke in the building as well as the spread of the fire to neighbouring buildings. When constructing the building, products and technical equipment suitable for fire safety shall be used. A building shall be built in such a manner that, in the event of a fire, individuals can escape or be rescued. The safety of rescue personnel shall be taken into account in the design. The licensing authority may require the creation of a safety report regarding the evacuation in challenging locations.