All new buildings, modifications and extensions to existing buildings or parts of buildings, as well as the construction, modification and operation of combustion systems for gaseous, solid and liquid fuels are subject to a fire police permit. The Office for Building Construction and Spatial Planning (AHR), Building Law and Fire Protection Department, is the licensing and fire protection authority. As a rule, fire safety requirements are part of the building permit.

If the submission of a fire protection concept is required in accordance with the Ordinance to the Fire Protection Act, it is recommended that you contact the AHR, Building Law and Fire Protection Department, at an early stage.

As a rule, the fire protection concept must be submitted at the latest when the building application is submitted. Otherwise, in exceptional cases, the temporary submission of the concept will be requested, subject to a condition in the building permit.

All buildings and installations requiring a permit are divided into quality assurance levels (QSS).

The provisions, standards and guidelines of the Association of Cantonal Fire Insurers VKF (current as of March 1, 2015) apply to the buildings, facilities, warehouses and installations covered by the Fire Protection Act.

Once the building has been approved, the municipalities are responsible for enforcing the fire protection regulations.

This applies in particular to the inspection of and compliance with fire protection regulations during periodic inspections of buildings and existing facilities. In principle, fire safety inspections are carried out annually, whereby an inspection during the heating period is required once every three years. In completely solid residential and office buildings without commercial operations, this period can be extended to five years.

The AHR is authorized to carry out its own fire safety inspections independently of the periodic inspection or to commission experts to do so.

In the event of non-compliance with the fire safety inspection, the AHR can order a replacement inspection at the expense of the municipality following a prior unsuccessful reminder.

Note: The Fire Protection Act is currently being revised.

The building owner or person responsible will be notified in writing of any deficiencies identified during the periodic fire safety inspection. Any deficiencies must be rectified in good time. In the event of non-compliance, the law provides for enforcement at the owner's expense.