Fire safety is not a formality, nor is it only the fire service’s job. Ukrainian law places it directly on every business owner and manager. Here is what the legislation requires and why fire protection systems must not only be installed but also maintained regularly.
Who is responsible for fire safety
Under Article 55 of the Civil Protection Code of Ukraine (which incorporates the Law “On Fire Safety”), fire safety is part of the work of officials and employees of all companies, institutions and organisations, whatever their form of ownership. The duty to ensure fire safety rests with the owners and managers of businesses.
What businesses must do
Article 20 of the Civil Protection Code sets out, among others, these duties:
- introduce automatic fire detection;
- keep civil and fire protection equipment in working order and use it only for its intended purpose;
- fund measures that reduce the risk of emergencies;
- plan fire safety measures;
- train employees in industrial and fire safety rules;
- issue fire safety instructions and orders and monitor compliance with them.
In addition, under Article 57, buildings, structures, equipment and processes put into operation after construction, reconstruction or refitting must comply with fire safety regulations.
What the Fire Safety Rules say
The Fire Safety Rules of Ukraine (Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs No. 1417 of 30.12.2014) state that fire safety is ensured through organisational measures and technical means aimed at preventing fires, protecting people and reducing losses. The head of a company must take the appropriate measures and appoint people responsible for fire safety and for the upkeep and operation of fire protection equipment.
Why regular maintenance matters
A fire protection system only works when every component is in working order. That is why it needs regular maintenance that follows the manufacturer’s requirements and the service life of the equipment, carried out by a licensed organisation. The obligation is set out in DSTU 9047:2020 “Fire protection systems”, DBN V.1.2-7:2021, DBN V.2.5-56, DSTU CEN/TS 54-14:2021, the Law “On Technical Regulations and Conformity Assessment” and the Fire Safety Rules.
An alarm that nobody has checked for years will not warn you about a fire — and it will count as a violation during an inspection.
How Kodeks Bezpeky can help
We carry out fire protection work under a licence from the State Emergency Service of Ukraine:
- design and installation of fire alarm and warning systems;
- scheduled maintenance of fire protection systems;
- 24/7 fire alarm monitoring at our own station;
- fire extinguishers and equipment, including recharging and servicing;
- fireproofing of structures;
- staff training and evacuation plans.
The full legal summary is available as a PDF (in Ukrainian). This article is for general information; to find out what your property needs, send a request — we will survey it and prepare a quote.