Fire safety in construction in Georgia is regulated not as a standalone administrative document but through the Spatial Planning, Urban Development and Construction Code: the Code requires that a building be designed and built, in the manner established by legislation, so that human life, health and property are protected in case of fire, while conformity with fire safety requirements is reflected within the permit documentation. This page explains what the Code demands in case of fire, how fire safety questions enter the permit documentation, and within which timeframes the permit application is decided.
Fire safety requirements under the Code
The fire-safety provision of the Code frames protection as a duty of design and construction: a building must be designed and built, in the manner established by Georgian legislation, so that in case of fire: the building retains its strength and stability; the spread of fire or smoke from one part of the building to other parts is reduced to a minimum; the spread of fire to adjacent buildings is reduced to a minimum; and the safe evacuation of people is possible, as well as the extinguishing of the fire by fire and rescue units and the rescue of people and property. These four objectives are carried into the architectural and structural decisions of the project — fire safety is not something "added" to a building after construction is complete.
Fire safety within the permit documentation
The permit application submitted to obtain a construction permit comprises the extensive document set established by the Code: information on the ownership of the land plot and the building; the administrative-legal act approving the conditions of the plot's use for construction, or information on the detailed development plan; the results of the pre-project study; the architectural project; the construction organization project; the engineering-geological study and the structural scheme or project; proof of payment of the permit fee; photographs of the information boards and the greening project.
From the fire-safety standpoint two elements of this set are particularly significant. First, in cases provided by legislation, the conclusion of an accredited inspection body or a certified expert on the architectural project, the engineering-geological study, and the structural scheme or project — and, where necessary, the technological scheme as well — must be submitted: independent assessment attaches to the project precisely here. Second, the application must indicate which technical regulation or standard was used in preparing the permit documentation, which makes the choice of fire safety norms traceable. Detailed requirements for the documents are defined by a legal act of the government, which also determines the detailed list and content of the documentation for class II–IV buildings; by decision of the municipal assembly, the documentation or part of it may be submitted in electronic form.
The proceeding and decision timeframes
A construction permit is issued in a simplified administrative proceeding: the conformity of the application and documentation with the list determined by legislation is checked under the rules of the General Administrative Code. The issuing administrative organ must decide on issuance or refusal within 20 working days, and in a three-stage proceeding within 5 working days; where necessary, the term may be extended by a substantiated decision — by up to 20 further working days, and in a cultural heritage protection zone by up to 30 working days. If neither a positive nor a negative decision is taken within the statutory period, the permit is deemed issued. Where an expert conclusion is negative, the issuing organ is obliged to refuse: the defects of the project acquire a documented basis, and an appealable act comes into existence.
Technical regulations and the submission of documentation
The concrete technical parameters of fire safety requirements are elaborated in technical regulations and standards — the Code itself sets the frame and requires that the regulation or standard applied be indicated in the application. Fire safety planning must therefore begin at the design stage: evacuation routes, the fire resistance of structures, and the containment of fire spread must be provided for in the architectural and structural projects themselves, so that the documentation is not found defective at the agreement stage. In preparing the permit documentation it is also worth noting which documents are not required — for example, where the planned construction does not change the main development parameters and the type of use of the existing building, the act on the conditions of the plot's use is not demanded.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a separate fire safety permit exist?
The Code regulates fire safety not as a separate permit but through the requirements for designing and constructing buildings and through the permit documentation.
What does the Code demand in case of fire?
That the building retain strength and stability; that the spread of fire and smoke within the building and to adjacent objects be reduced to a minimum; and that safe evacuation of people, extinguishing of the fire, and the rescue of people and property be possible.
Where is fire safety reflected in the documentation?
In the architectural and structural projects; in cases provided by legislation, in the conclusion of an accredited inspection body or certified expert; and in the indication of the technical regulation or standard used in the application.
Within what timeframe is the permit application decided?
The issuing organ decides within 20 working days, and in a three-stage proceeding within 5 working days. If no decision is taken within the term, the permit is deemed issued.
How We Help on Legal.ge
The lawyers of Legal.ge help you take fire safety requirements into account at the design stage, prepare the permit documentation and keep the proceeding within its timeframes — defective or incomplete documentation most often fails precisely on the fire safety side. Contact us so that the documentary framework of your object is assembled without defects.