What is it?

For certain buildings (for example, a school/nursery, healthcare facility, café or hotel), you must file a use notification for the fire-safe use of the building. This applies to both new construction and to alterations or changes in use of a building. In the Besluit bouwwerken leefomgeving (Bbl) article 6.7 and table 6.6 you can find whether a use notification is required for your building. 

Through the online Omgevingsloket you can check whether you need to file a use notification.

Notification sites and other places

You can use the Rijksoverheid 's online notification form to make the notification for sites and other places. Please note that in many cases the use notification coincides with another notification or permit application you are making. It is therefore best to contact us by telephone to explain your situation so that we can indicate which form best suits your notification (0499-491491, Monday-Thursday 08:30-17:00 and Friday 08:30-12:30). 

There is a national regulation on fire-safe use and basic emergency assistance in other places (Bbgbop). The purpose of this regulation is to improve fire safety in places where many people are together. Examples include event sites, campgrounds and marinas. You are then required to report to the municipality.

What to do.

Do the check in the online environment counter to see if you need to file a use notification.

Building use notification

• Make the use notification (through the online environment counter) at least 4 weeks before putting the building into use. 
• You must include documents with the use notification. For example: 
  • A situation sketch with a scale of at least 1:1000; 
  • per floor or site a floor plan with a scale of at least 1:100
  • per floor plan:
    - height of floor,
    - area,
    - maximum number of people,
    - fire and/or smoke barriers
    - escape routes and how they are marked
    - direction of rotation of doors
    - self-closing doors and door latches
    - emergency lighting
    - fire alarm panel and control panel
    - all fire extinguishing equipment
    - fire entrance 
• The municipality will send an acknowledgment of receipt of your use notification. 
• As a result of your report, the municipality may set Requirements for fire-safe use of the building. You must comply with these Requirements . Examples of additional Requirements include:
  • additional fire detection;
  • non-combustible decoration both on the walls and ceiling;
  • good basic emergency response, Health that everyone knows his/her duties well;
  • An adequate escape plan and clear escape routes.

Notification sites and other places

In order to expeditiously process your report or application, it is important that all relevant documents are present. The following documents should definitely be attached: 

• Situation drawing; 
• Drawing to scale showing fire safety features such as portable extinguishers, emergency lighting, escape route signs (running men on green background), fire separations, installations such as Sprinkler, fire alarm and evacuation, central heating etc.

You must file a use notification for the following buildings, among others: 

• secondary and high school education buildings (for children over 12 and adults); 
• light industry, such as sheds, barns or horticultural greenhouses; 
• offices, for example, bank buildings, town halls or county offices; 
• meetings in such places as convention centers, churches, community centers or theaters; 
• swimming pools, gymnasiums, sports halls or fitness centers; 
• malls, department stores, supermarkets, station buildings or stores at gas stations.

In the Building Works Decree Living Environment (Bbl) article 6.7 and table 6.6 you can find for which buildings and present number of persons a use notification is required.

How long does it take?

• Your notification and related documents must be submitted at least 4 weeks before you plan to use the building, structure or site.

Objection or appeal

You must submit the use notification at least 4 weeks before the building is to be used. Within these 4 weeks, you will receive a notice from the municipality.

If the use notification is not complete, you will need to file another use notification.

What do I need?

• As a business owner, you need eHerkenning and your Chamber of Commerce establishment number.
• As an individual, you will need your DigiD.