What a fire inspection has to cover in Malta — the instruments that impose it, and the clause each check is cited to.
REQUIREMENT: The external fire-water supply (external fire hydrants, reservoirs or draw-off points) serving the premises must be functional, marked, accessible to fire appliances and ensure the required water volume for firefighting; hydrants are inspected periodically. Legal basis: external fire-water supply -- the Civil Protection Department consultation in the development-permission process.
STANDARD + REQUIREMENT: Where a fixed extinguishing system (sprinkler, gas, foam or water-mist) is installed, as a fixed active fire-protection system it must be in a ready and sound state (charged/pressurised, valves open and monitored, sprinkler heads clear, water/agent source and pumps sound) and periodically inspected and serviced. Legal basis: installed extinguishing system -- the Civil Protection Department consultation; design and maintenance -- EN 12845 (standard).
STANDARD + REQUIREMENT: Where provided, the premises has hose reels (internal fire-fighting network) with adequate pressure and water flow for first-aid firefighting, in readily accessible places; as a fire-safety means they must be functional, serviced and periodically inspected. Legal basis: hose-reel requirement -- the Civil Protection Department consultation in the development-permission process; hose-reel equipment -- EN 671 (standard).
STANDARD + REQUIREMENT: Where a smoke and heat control/exhaust system is installed, as a fixed active fire-protection system it must be kept functional and periodically inspected (smoke dampers/vents and fans actuate on test, exhaust and make-up openings clear, control and backup power sound). Legal basis: installed smoke-exhaust system -- the Civil Protection Department consultation; components and tests -- EN 12101 (standard).
REGULATION: Flammable and dangerous materials and substances (flammable liquids, gases, cylinders) are stored in designated, ventilated and secured places, in permitted quantities, separated from ignition sources and from escape routes; storage and use comply with fire-safety rules. Legal basis: storage and handling of flammable and dangerous substances -- the General Provisions, S.L. 646.11, and the Work Place (Minimum Health and Safety Requirements) Regulations, S.L. 646.08 (regulation).
STATUTE: The OHSA inspects workplace fire-safety compliance and the Civil Protection Department carries out fire-safety consultation/inspection (with the Planning Authority in the development-permission process); deficiencies identified by the OHSA or the CPD, or conditions set in the development permission, must be remedied within the set deadlines and compliance documented, and any required fire-safety clearance held. Legal basis: enforcement and remedy -- the Health and Safety at Work Act, Cap. 646 (OHSA) and the Civil Protection Act, Cap. 411 (CPD); building fire safety -- Planning Authority development permission (statute).
STATUTE: Workers are informed and trained in fire safety (use of extinguishers and fire-fighting means, raising the alarm, actions on fire and evacuation) through initial and periodic instruction; evacuation drills are carried out and the training and drills are documented (records / attendance lists). Legal basis: information, training and evacuation drills -- the Health and Safety at Work Act, Cap. 646, and the General Provisions for Health and Safety at Workplaces Regulations, S.L. 646.11 (statute + regulation).
STATUTE: The employer must carry out a written assessment of the risks to workers' safety and health, including the risk of fire, define the preventive and protective measures, and appoint a competent (responsible) person for fire-safety matters; the assessment must be kept current (reviewed on change and periodically) and available at inspection by the OHSA. Legal basis: the risk-assessment duty -- the Health and Safety at Work Act, Cap. 646, and the General Provisions for Health and Safety at Workplaces Regulations, S.L. 646.11 (statute + regulation).
STATUTE + STANDARD: The separating and load-bearing elements of fire compartments, fire walls and floors with sealed penetrations, fire doors and fire dampers must be intact, without unsealed openings; the fire resistance of load-bearing and separating elements must be preserved and construction products must meet the required reaction-to-fire class. Legal basis: fire compartments and fire resistance -- Planning Authority development permission and the Civil Protection Department consultation; construction-product classification -- EN 13501 (standard).
REGULATION + STANDARD: Where required, escape routes have emergency (safety) lighting that switches on automatically on loss of the main supply and illuminates the escape route for the prescribed time; as a fire-safety means it is subject to periodic inspection and maintenance. Legal basis: emergency-lighting requirement -- the Work Place (Minimum Health and Safety Requirements) Regulations, S.L. 646.08 (regulation); illuminance level and duration -- EN 1838 (standard).
REGULATION + STANDARD: A sufficient number of suitable portable extinguishers is provided according to the use and fire risk, in visible and readily accessible places; extinguishers are periodically inspected and serviced (annual service and refill within the prescribed period). Legal basis: provision and fire-fighting means -- the Work Place (Minimum Health and Safety Requirements) Regulations, S.L. 646.08 (regulation); extinguisher requirements and servicing -- EN 3 (standard).
REGULATION + STANDARD: Where required, the premises has a fire detection and alarm system that reliably detects fire and triggers an alarm; as a fire-safety system it must be in good working order and periodically inspected and serviced (panel without faults, detectors working, alarm audible/visible). Legal basis: fire-detection requirement -- the Work Place (Minimum Health and Safety Requirements) Regulations, S.L. 646.08, and the CPD consultation; system components -- EN 54 (standard).
REGULATION: Electrical installations and equipment must be technically safe and used as intended so they do not become an ignition source (no overloading, temporary or damaged wiring, or storage of combustibles near heated surfaces); ignition sources are controlled and identified faults remedied. Legal basis: keeping installations sound and controlling ignition sources -- the Work Place (Minimum Health and Safety Requirements) Regulations, S.L. 646.08, and the General Provisions, S.L. 646.11 (regulation).
REGULATION: Escape routes, emergency exits and their approaches must remain permanently clear, without obstruction or combustibles and of adequate width, so that quick and safe evacuation is possible. Emergency-exit doors must open easily from inside without a key and, where provided, in the direction of escape. Legal basis: clear escape routes and exits -- the Work Place (Minimum Health and Safety Requirements) Regulations, S.L. 646.08 (regulation).
REGULATION: An evacuation/escape plan and emergency procedures are drawn up for the workplace, kept available and posted in visible and accessible places, showing escape routes, exits and the location of fire-fighting means; the plan must match the actual layout of the premises. Legal basis: evacuation plan and emergency procedures -- the Work Place (Minimum Health and Safety Requirements) Regulations, S.L. 646.08 (regulation).
REGULATION + STANDARD: Escape routes and emergency exits are marked with clear and durable safety signs, including directional signs where the exit is not directly visible; signs must be intact, visible and standard-compliant. Legal basis: marking of escape routes -- the Work Place (Provision of Health and, or Safety Signs) Regulations, S.L. 646.09 (regulation); graphic safety signs -- EN ISO 7010 (standard).