Guideline For Making Application For Fire Certificate
Guideline For Making Application For Fire Certificate
GUIDELINE FOR
ONLINE APPLICATION
OF FIRE CERTIFICATE
Version 1.0
9-13-2021
Table of Contents
Application through NELS Platform ........................................................................................................ 3
Payment of Fees.................................................................................................................................. 4
Effective Date ...................................................................................................................................... 6
Who should make an application ........................................................................................................... 6
Premises that shall apply for a Fire Certificate ....................................................................................... 6
Any questions? ........................................................................................................................................ 7
Process Flow for issuance of Fire certificate ........................................................................................... 7
How to make an application for a fire certificate. .......................................................................... 8
Application .......................................................................................................................................... 8
Step 1 – Register on the NELS platform .............................................................................................. 9
Step 2 - Apply for Permit................................................................................................................... 11
To make an application for fire certificate follow these steps ..................................................... 12
For Renewal – ................................................................................................................................... 15
Applicant Details ............................................................................................................................... 16
Owner Details.................................................................................................................................... 16
Premises Details ................................................................................................................................ 17
Location Plan of the Premises ........................................................................................................... 17
Activities ............................................................................................................................................ 17
Storage of Hazardous Chemicals/ Inflammable substances ......................................................... 20
List of Occupier ................................................................................................................................. 21
Building Details ................................................................................................................................. 22
Declaration ........................................................................................................................................ 22
Step 3 – Upload documents .................................................................................................................. 22
List of Documents required when submitting an application for Fire Certificate ............................ 23
Supporting Documents ................................................................................................................. 23
Legend to be used ............................................................................................................................. 24
Step 4 – Submission of application ....................................................................................................... 29
Verification of Application ................................................................................................................ 30
Alerts and Notifications (SMS /EMAIL) ................................................................................................. 30
Track their application status................................................................................................................ 31
Provide clarifications............................................................................................................................. 31
Fire Safety Recommendation................................................................................................................ 33
Completion of Fire safety Improvement Works ................................................................................... 33
Payment of Fire Certificate fee ............................................................................................................. 34
Application for multiple Building Blocks ............................................................................................... 35
2
Application through NELS Platform
The National Electronic Licensing System (NELS) developed and hosted by the Economic
Development Board (EDB) is a centralised platform for application, payment, processing
and determination of business - related licences in Mauritius.
The platform enables online:
Application, determination, payment and issuance of various Electronic permits and
licences.
Monitoring and tracking of applications.
3
Notes to applicant
The Mauritius Fire and Rescue Service Guide explains who shall make an application for a
fire certificate and the procedures involved to submit an application. It provides a simple, step
by step guide to applicants in the processing of applications. You can use this Guide as a
check list for completing and submitting supporting documentation. If your application
contains all the required information, documents and particulars, the Authority can determine
it without delay.
An application for a fire certificate is required under Section 19 of the Mauritius Fire and
Rescue Service Act 2013 and the Mauritius Fire and Rescue Service (Fire Safety Plan and
Fire Certificate) Regulations 2018 and Mauritius Fire and Rescue Service (Fire Safety Plan
and Fire Certificate) Amendment Regulations 2021.
A Fire Certificate shall be valid for a period of not less than one year nor more than 3 years,
depending on the risk assessment of the premises to which they relate.
Payment of Fees
For manual payment - cash / office cheque, applicant will have to download the automatically
generated payment voucher from NELS and present it to the cash office found on 6th floor,
Head Office of the MFRS -Atalian Tower 57, Labourdonnais Street, Port Louis, where a
payment receipt will be handed to him upon payment of the fees.
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Fees
Purpose (Rs)
(a) where the area of the premises does not exceed 1,000 m2 1,000
(b) for every additional 1000 m2 or part thereof 1,000
(c) up to maximum fee 25,000
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Effective Date
The person who, for the time being, owns or is entitled to receive the rent in respect of the
premises on his own account, or as an agent or a trustee for any other person: and includes
where the premises are not occupied by the owner, the occupier.
If, however the premises have only one occupier, the occupier can apply for a Fire Certificate
but should submit the owner consentment that he is authorise to apply for the Fire certificate,
copy of owner ID and a letter that he will implement all fire safety requirements imposed by
the MFRS.
If, however the premises are owned by different occupier, a Syndic shall be formed to make
an application.
Owner can make application for part of a building, where remaining parts are unoccupied or
private residence.
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Premises includes-
a) a building
b) land, whether built or not
c) a tent
d) a swimming pool
e) a ship or vessel of any description, including a boathouse, and
f) any other moveable structure or vehicle.
Any questions?
If you need more information or advice, contact Fire Safety Division – IT Unit, Mauritius
Fire and Rescue Service – on 2109617.
If application satisfactory, an effective date will be assigned to the application and the
application will be valid for a period of six months.
Else Applicant will need to submit further clarification and documents. If within a delay
of two weeks, applicant has not revert back, the application will be set aside.
If premise satisfy fire safety norms, Applicant will receive a payment voucher. The
payment shall be effected within the delay of six month.
Applicant effect payment for Fire certificate – Fire certificate will be issued.
Applicant effect payment for re inspection – An officer will contact and schedule a site visit.
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How to make an application for a fire certificate.
Application
2. If applicant is already a registered user on the National Electronic Licensing System, click
on “LOGIN” to the system.
3. If applicant is not registered with the National Electronic Licensing System, click on
“REGISTER” to register with the system.
Note: Applicant are advised to contact the Economic Development Board for any query
pertaining to problem with regard to login and registration at:
• https://edbmauritius.atlassian.net/servicedesk/customer/porta l/13
• Email: nels@edbmauritius.org:
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Note:
(i) A first time user needs to register on the National Electronic Licensing System
(NELS) to be able to login and submit application.
(ii) All correspondences will be sent to the registered email address
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On click on the register the account activation form will be shown
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1. The applicant clicks on “Request Code” to receive the confirmation code on the mobile
number input.
2. He will have to create a password for the account and confirm it on the system.
3. Once the “Submit” button is clicked, the registration process is deemed complete and
the applicant can log in on the E-Licensing Platform to apply.
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To make an application for fire certificate follow these steps
- Applicant Details
- Owner Details
- Premises Details
- Supporting Documents
Before filling in the application form, a check is being made to determine whether it is a new
or renewal process. The applicant will have to confirm whether a Fire Certificate exist for the
premises for which the application is being made.
For New application - Applicant will need to select No and a blank application form will be
presented to the applicant.
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If a Fire Certificate exists for the same premises, the Fire certificate number and the expiry
date of the existing Fire certificate will have to be entered by the applicant.
The applicant will have to choose the reason for which the application is being made.
The applicant may select multiple options from the list except if he chooses option “revoke”
or “None of the above”
Once all the information has been filled, applicant will need to click the button ‘Next’
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For Renewal –
An owner shall, 60 days before the expiry of the validity of a fire certificate, apply for the
renewal of the certificate.
Applicant will need to select “Yes” and None of the above.
If a previous application has been done manually for the same premises, the applicant will
enter his Fire Certificate Number and its expiry date. These details will be cross-checked
against the data present in our system. If no entry has been found, an error message will be
displayed
All the options, except the last one, presented in the question regarding the reasons for
applying the Fire Certificate will be equivalent to the application of a New Fire Certificate. If
the last option is chosen, the application will be equivalent to a renewal.
If manually has been chosen for previous application was done, then applicant has to fill the
form and submit all documents required.
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Applicant Details
There are four distinct mandatory identification requirements for the applicant:
Owner Details
The fields will vary based on the type of the owner. If the answer to the question ‘Are You
the owner of the premises?’ is true, then the whole section will be populated with values
obtained from the ‘Applicant Details’ Section. If the answer is no, applicant will have to
submit a consent letter from the owner authorising him to make the application.
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Premises Details
The fields ‘Postal Address’, ‘Local Authority’ and ‘post code’ will be pre filled if the answer
to the question ‘Is the address of the premises same as the owner’s address?’ is ‘Yes’
Name of Premise: Insert name of the premise/ Building Eg ACB Building or ACB Tower.
Postal Address: Applicant will need to ensure that the full address of the premise is entered
in the postal address field, as this address will populate on the Fire certificate.
The applicant needs to move the marker and place it at the exact location of the premise.
Activities
The applicant will have to choose the activities that will be carried out in the premises.
Multiple activities could be chosen from the following list:
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• Health Care institution - including hospitals, clinics, polyclinics, Mediclinic,
laboratory services.
• Office
• Petroleum Service Station
• Place of Public Resort – premises used for social, recreational or business purpose to
include hotels, holiday resorts, boarding house, service apartments, convention centre,
private clubs, community centres, museums, public art galleries, exhibition centres,
theatres, cinemas, concert halls, public libraries, religious buildings, recreational
buildings, amusement centres, hawkers centres, bus terminals, train stations, airport
and ferry terminals.
• Residential Care Home
• Residential Purpose
• Restaurant & Food Outlets
• Shop & commercial
• Sport Complex
• Storage of hazardous chemicals
• Storage of inflammable Substances and Inflammable gas
• Storage other than inflammable substances.
• Others
If the option ‘Others’ is chosen, applicant will need to specify the activity.
If the option ‘Employee’s Lodging Accommodation‘ is chosen from the list, applicant will
need to insert the ‘ Maximum number of lodgers’
If the Petroleum Service Station is chosen, applicant will need to fill the number of tank,
capacity and class.
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If storage of hazardous chemical is chosen, applicant will need to fill the name of product,
quantity in Kg or Litres or quantity in packets.
If storage of inflammable substance and inflammable gas is chosen, applicant will need to fill
a) inflammable substance
- the name of product, quantity in Kg or Litres or quantity in packets.
b) Inflammable gas
- The quantity of inflammable gas to be stored in KG or vessel
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Storage of Hazardous Chemicals/ Inflammable substances
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List of Occupier
If the building is occupied by the owner itself, the occupier will be the owner.
For employee lodging accommodation, if the premise is lease, the occupier will be the
company leasing the building.
Number of persons – Insert the maximum number of person that will occupy in the premise.
(Staff and visitors)
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Building Details
Applicant will need to select the structure of the building from the list concrete, portal frame,
stone, unfenestrated, wooden and if others is chosen, applicant will need to specify.
If cladding is available in the building, applicant will need to specify the type of cladding.
Declaration
Applicant will need to certify that all information given are true and correct by selecting I
agree to the above.
Ensure that the “Fill the Form” button is green, then you can click on the button “Upload
Document” at the top of the form to upload all required documents.
If the button is “orange” then you need to go back on the application form to see whether
there is any missing information
Upload documents:
To upload a file, the applicant either selects the option to browse files or to drag the file and
drop it in the correspondent document box;
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List of Documents required when submitting an application for Fire Certificate
• Site Plan – Plan indicate clearly the name and location of each building forming the integral
part of the premise.
• Location Plan -Plan showing the path taken to reach the premises
• Architectural layout plan of each floor of the premise
• Commissioning/ maintenance certificate for fire fighting equipment. (Optional)
• Commissioning/ maintenance certificate for fire alarm and detection system. (Optional)
• Safety Data Sheet (Optional)
• Consent letter from owner (if owner is not the applicant)
• List of Occupiers
• Other Documents (Optional)
Note:
• Applicant are requested to upload the exact document that has been asked in order not to
delay processes.
• Only PDF documents can be uploaded on the system.
• Multiple files are allowed for each document.
• All plans shall be in size A3 or A4.
• A printed copy of the plan shall be available when conducting inspection if plan
submitted is not of size A3 and A4.
• Two files having the same name cannot be uploaded under one document
Supporting Documents
1. Site and Location Plan identifying the building that need to be certified. (Mandatory)
2. Plan for building
A. Architectural layout plan of each floor of the premises. (Mandatory)
updated architectural plan of each floor of the premises, with internal
partitioning, showing clearly dimensions in metres and the following
details:-
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Legend to be used
Legend Legend
EXIT AUTOMATIC
SPRINKLER POINT
S
ROLLER SHUTTER FIRE HYDRANT
RS H
FIRE EXTINGUISHER – DRY FIRE ALARM VISUAL
POWDER WARNING DEVICE
AUTOMATIC DETECTION
SYSTEM
HEAT
AUTOMATIC DETECTION
SYSTEM
SMOKE
AUDIBLE WARNING
DEVICE
CALL POINT
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B. Filling station
Layout plan of premises dully signed by the owner or agent and showing the
following details.
• Names of streets on which the site abuts and the township in which
situated,
• Material safety data sheets for all inflammable liquid and substances
stored or used.
C. Storage of Inflammable gas.
Line drawing of the storage area, showing the following details
• Location of call points and sirens for any fire alarm system
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3. Commissioning/ Maintenance Certificate for Fire Fighting equipment. (Optional)
• If fire fighting equipment already installed in the premises, applicant may
submit the commissioning / Maintenance certificate together with the list as
per format mention below.
Fire Extinguisher
Floor Number
G/Floor 2
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4. Commissioning/ Maintenance Certificate for Fire alarm and detections
If a fire alarm system has been installed in the premises, applicant may submit the
commissioning / maintenance certificate together with the list as per format
mentioned below.
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Storage of inflammable Gas
Cylinders Bulk
No Capacity Total Weight No of Vessel Capacity
If the premises will store inflammable gas, Liquid or other substances (option ‘
Storage of Inflammable Substances and Inflammable Gases’ from Section ‘ Activities
to be carried out in the premises’, applicant may submit the line drawing for the
Inflammable Gas storage area.
If the answer to the question ‘Are you the owner of the premises’ is No, A consent
letter from the Owner shall be provided.
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9. Occupier List
A list of occupants, specifying the activities carried out by each occupant and the
number of persons likely to be present at any one time.
Floor Level Occupier Activity No of Persons Government or
Name private enterprise
Once all the details for the application have been submitted successfully, the “Fill the form”
and “Upload Documents” section will turn green; this means that the application is complete.
• To navigate between the application form and the upload documents form use the
actions "Fill the Form" and "Upload documents" that are available in the navigation
bar;
• The navigation bar has the following color codes:
1. Blue – current selected form;
2. Yellow –form incomplete;
3. Green – form complete;
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Verification of Application
• After submission, the application and all documents submitted will be verified by the
MFRS.
• The MFRS may request any other document(s)/clarification(s) or information to the
applicant.
• Any document(s)/clarification(s)/ information requested; the applicant will be
notified through the registered e-mail and has 15 days to submit any
document(s)/clarification(s) or information failing which application will
be set aside automatically without notice.
The Applicant will receive Alerts and Notifications on the following Occasions:
Acknowledge receipt of application
Request for Additional Information.
Site Visit Observations
Request for Additional Information post Site Visit
Rejection/ Letter of payment (Favourable Consideration)
Download Fire certificate
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Track their application status.
Applicant can log on the system at any moment to track their application status.
1. After login, the applicant clicks on “Your Area” tab to search for the application under
“Applications” section.
2. Applications can be searched using the following criteria: Application Type, Category,
Transaction Type, Status, Application Number, Submission Date From, Submission Date To.
3. The following search result is obtained after applying the filter.
4. The search result displays:
1. The documents that were attached.
2. The current status (yellow status implies awaiting information from the applicant).
Provide clarifications
The applicant may be requested to provide clarifications on the application made. He will
receive an SMS or an email notifications, if clarifications are needed from him. Applicant
can access the Business Portal using the link provided
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Applicant need to click on Your action is required.
1. When opening the application form, the applicant will see the comments input by the
Front Desk Officer together with the list of incorrect documents.
2. The Applicant can amend any details in the application form.
3. A Clarification box is available for the Applicant, so that he can input any comment
for the fire officer.
4. To attach the missing documents, the Applicant must click on the “Upload
Documents” tab. Only the incorrect documents will be able to be amended.
5. The Applicant then clicks on the “Send New Info” button to submit the application
again.
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Fire Safety Recommendation
Once recommendation have been vetted by the Supervising Officer, the applicant will receive
a notification on his registered email, directing him to access the NELS portal to view the list
of improvements requested by MFRS.
The status of the application will be displayed as “Awaiting Completion of Improvement
Work”.
The Applicant goes to NELS Portal and looks for the application under “Applications”
Section. Applicant opens the application and goes to “Agency Documents”
Applicant can download and view the improvement notice (in pdf format).
The status of an application for which an improvement notice has been issued will be shown
as “Awaiting Completion of Improvement Work”.
The applicant clicks on the button “Improvements Required” button.
The list of improvement measures, as requested by MFRS in the improvement notice
(MFRS_IMPROVEMENT_NOTIFICATION.pdf under Agency Documents) will be
displayed in tabular form.
A "Status " drop down with the following options and a comment box is displayed next to
each improvement measure
Status: Completed, Incomplete, Not Started
The applicant needs to select the status of each improvement measure from the “Status” drop
down and add a comment in the comment box found on the right of the screen.
This step should be performed for all the improvement measures in the “Improvements
Required” table.
The comment is mandatory if the status of the improvement measure is “Incomplete” or “Not
Started”.
The applicant may enter any valid information that he wishes to communicate to MFRS with
regards to the application under process in the “Comments” box found at the bottom of the
screen. This “Comment” is optional.
The applicant can additionally upload any document related to the application under the
“Other Documents” section found at the bottom of the screen. Again, the document upload is
optional.
“Submit Improvement Work” will be highlighted in green and the “Send New Info” button
will be activated when the table of improvement measures is filled in correctly, with all the
mandatory information.
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The applicant clicks on “Send New Info” button to submit the list of improvement measures
along with their status and comments.
After submission, the applicant will receive a notification informing him to proceed with
payment of the re-inspection fee.
The status of the application on Business Portal will be changed to “Awaiting Payment of Re-
Inspection fee”
1. After login, the applicant clicks on “Your Area” tab to search for the application
under “Applications” section.
2. The application status indicates Awaiting Payment of Certificate Fee.
3. The applicant selects the Payments tab and searches for the application to be paid.
4. The applicant selects the payment record (turns blue) and clicks on the “open” button
to effect the payment.
5. After opening an application that has not yet been paid, the applicant will have to
select on Option 1 to pay by credit card.
6. He inputs his credit card details and clicks Pay Now.
7. The application status changes from Not Paid to Paid.
8. After opening an application that has not yet been paid, the applicant will have to
select on Option 2 to pay by cash or bank cheque.
9. He downloads his voucher, prints it and present it to the cashier at the MFRS.
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Application for multiple Building Blocks
Where an applicant need to make application for multiple building blocks in the premises,
applicant will need to
A) Insert the following Data in the Section
i) Building Details
a) Select the Building Structure from the list.
b) Select whether cladding available among the building block.
c) Number of basement storey – Insert the total number of basement storey
available within all the building block.
d) Number of floor from ground floor – Insert the number of floor of the
building having the maximum number of floor.
e) Number of floor to be certified – Insert the total no of floor to be certified
and attached a breakdown giving details of each block.
f) Height of building above ground floor – Insert the height of building of the
building block having the maximum number of floor.
g) Total area to be certified – Insert the total area that need to be certified and
to attach breakdown in documents.
h) List of Occupier
i) Floor level – To insert example (Block A – Ground Floor)
ii) Occupier – To insert name of company occupying the premises– eg
ACD Com Ltd
iii) Activity – To insert activity carried out
Iv) No of persons – to insert the maximum number of persons at any one
time. (Employee and Visitors)
B) submit the following – (Refer to Supporting Documents)
a) Location Plan
b) Site plan identifying each building block to be certified. (Block A, Block B)
c) Upload the following information as per format mention below:
Block Identification Floor Floor area to be
certified
Block A Ground Floor 100 M2
d) Upload the architectural layout plan for each floor of each block.
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