Fire safety certificates in Tanzania: what building owners should prepare

Tanzania's Fire and Rescue Force (Safety Inspections and Certificates) Regulations, 2008 define a fire safety certificate as the certificate or sticker issued by the fire authority that permits a premises to operate. The regulations were amended in 2017, so check the current text and fees with the Force.

Buildings face requirements beyond the certificate

A University of Dar es Salaam paper reports that the Fire and Rescue Force Act, 2007 requires public buildings of at least four storeys or 2,000 m² of floor space to have adequate escape routes and firefighting facilities. Confirm how the Act applies to your building with a competent local professional.

What to prepare before an inspection

• Current drawings: show the actual layout, escape routes and fire systems, including recent changes.
• System records: keep test and maintenance records for alarms, hydrants, extinguishers and pumps.
• Water supply: confirm where firefighting water comes from and how much is stored.
• Coastal sites: check corrosion on outdoor pipework and equipment in Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar.
• Ownership: name who holds the certificate and who renews it.

Who can do the engineering work

Tanzania's Engineers Registration Board requires firms offering professional engineering services to be registered, so any design work should run through the registered route that applies to your project. A remote partner can prepare or check documents within that arrangement.

Need your fire documents reviewed?

Discuss your Tanzania project. Inspections, certificates and authority dealings stay with your local team.

Sources: TanzLII: Fire and Rescue Force (Safety Inspections and Certificates) Regulations, 2008, ERB: registration of firms. Confirm current requirements with the Force and ERB.