Which systems are included
Depending on the establishment’s needs, they include detection and alarms, water supplies, hose reels, hydrants, sprinklers and other extinguishing systems. Each solution has its own purpose and operating conditions.
They should not be confused with passive protection, such as compartmentation or fire resistance. Both must be consistent with evacuation and emergency arrangements; an automatic system does not remove the need for other measures.
Which legislation determines the solution
In Spain, the RIPCI, adopted by Royal Decree 513/2017, regulates active protection equipment, installation, maintenance and inspection. Required provision also depends on the building’s use and the regulations governing the building or activity.
For industrial establishments, Royal Decree 164/2025 and its transitional regime must be checked. The same requirements as for a new installation must not automatically be applied to all existing buildings.
Installation and commissioning
Selection should start from the risk, layout, activity and operating conditions. Authorised companies and competent personnel must be involved where the regulations require, with the corresponding technical documentation.
Article 20 of the RIPCI establishes commissioning and maintenance conditions, alongside specific exceptions. The company must retain documents identifying what was installed, its scope and who is responsible for upkeep; an invoice does not necessarily describe all of this.
Maintenance: tasks and responsibilities
Annex II to the RIPCI sets minimum operations and maximum intervals between activities, alongside the manufacturer’s programme. It distinguishes operations the operator may perform from those reserved for the authorised personnel specified in the regulations.
Assign an owner to each task and record equipment identification, date, operation, result and issues. Records and evidence of the programme must be retained for at least five years under the terms of the regulations.
Statutory inspection and maintenance are different
Maintenance preserves functionality; statutory inspection evaluates applicable compliance. Having a maintenance contract does not replace a required inspection by an authorised inspection body.
Frequency and exceptions must be checked against use, floor area, characteristics and specific regulations. Article 22 of the RIPCI cannot be summarised as an identical duty for every premises. Relevant industrial and transitional rules must also be reviewed.
Managing faults and changes to the establishment
If a system is out of service, its effect on protection must be assessed, responsible people informed and proportionate measures established until restoration. A fault is not administratively resolved simply because repair is pending.
Changes to layout, storage or activity may alter coverage and needs. Follow-up must check that equipment, access, supplies and signals remain suitable for the actual scenario, as well as verifying that planned reviews took place.
Hypothetical example: a warehouse refurbishment
A company installs new shelving and changes routes. Before occupying the area, it reviews compatibility with detection, extinguishing, access and evacuation with specialists.
The review finds that maintenance was up to date, but the new layout could reduce protection effectiveness. The design is corrected before the changed activity begins.
