On Licensing

The licensed activity for ensuring fire safety can only be carried out by legal entities of the Republic of Belarus, as well as foreign organizations. This applies to the following types of work:

• design, installation, adjustment, and technical maintenance of fire alarm systems, automatic fire extinguishing systems, smoke protection systems, fire notification systems, and evacuation management;
• creation and operation of units that carry out fire extinguishing.

All necessary documents for obtaining a license for fire safety activities must be submitted to the Republican Center for Certification and Expertise of Licensed Activities.

The following documents should be submitted:

• inventory of documents in the case;
• application for the issuance of a license;
• copies of the founding documents of the legal entity;
• copies of the document confirming the state registration of the applicant;
• document confirming payment of the state duty.

In addition, the applicant must provide the following documents:

• complete information about the employees who will carry out the licensed activity;
• list of premises and equipment, as well as devices involved in the activity;
• copy of the order of the head approving the quality control systems of the licensed activity.

The applicant for a fire safety license is subject to the following requirements:

• availability of premises necessary for conducting licensed activities on any legal basis, which must also comply with all rules and norms of the fire safety regulation system;
• availability of necessary equipment, as well as devices and tools for successful activity on a legal basis;
• availability of at least three employees with the necessary qualifications for carrying out the licensed activity, who have undergone training and appropriate knowledge assessment;
• availability of local regulatory legal acts agreed with the Ministry of Emergency Situations;
• availability of a quality control system for conducting activities, as well as training of employees.

Particular violations of the requirements of the fire safety license include:

• violation of the above-mentioned licensing requirements that caused an emergency situation;
• implementation and use of fire protection means without the necessary special documents;
• non-compliance with the operational efficiency and reliability of all fire safety systems.

Thus, to obtain a license for fire safety activities, one should:

• remember that before making the main decision on the license, an examination is conducted to determine whether the applicant's capabilities meet the requirements of the legislation;
• pay attention to the retraining of employees.

In the process of obtaining a license for fire safety activities, it is advisable to seek assistance from a lawyer who is familiar with all the nuances of the requirements. Qualified specialists, who have been vetted by our service, can provide legal assistance in any complex situation thanks to their knowledge and extensive experience. To select a specialist, it is necessary to fill out the feedback form.

In connection with the entry into force of the Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus dated 02.09.2019 No. 326 "On Improving Licensing" from October 1, 2019, it is not required to obtain a special permit (license) for carrying out fire safety activities in terms of technical maintenance by the organization of automatic fire alarm systems, automatic fire extinguishing systems (hereinafter referred to as the PA system), smoke protection systems (hereinafter referred to as the PDZ system), fire notification systems, and evacuation management, owned by it on the right of ownership or other legal basis.

Thus, organizations have the right to carry out technical maintenance of PA and PDZ systems on their own facilities both

under contracts with third-party organizations and with in-house employees with qualifications that meet the requirements

of the TKP 316–2011 "System of Technical Maintenance and Repair of Automatic Fire Extinguishing Installations, Smoke Protection Systems, Fire Alarm Systems, Fire Notification Systems

and Evacuation Management. Organization and Procedure for Conducting Works".

For reference: training of employees for subsequent technical maintenance of PA and PDZ systems is possible at the State Educational Institution "University of Civil Protection of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Belarus" (Minsk, Machinists' Street, 25, contact phone: 8–017–340–69–55).

We also draw attention to the fact that the Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus dated 23.11.2017 No. 7 "On the Development of Entrepreneurship" (hereinafter referred to as the Decree) provides for the personal responsibility of the head for the proper organization of the activities of the economic entity, excluding harm to state or public interests, the environment, life, health, rights

and legitimate interests of citizens.

For reference: in accordance with the second paragraph of subparagraph 3.1 of paragraph 3 of the General Fire Safety Requirements for the content and operation of capital buildings (structures, constructions), isolated premises, and other objects owned by economic entities, approved by the Decree, the head of the economic entity is obliged to ensure the operability and reliability of fire protection and fire extinguishing means, as well as their constant readiness for use, including PA and PDZ systems.