Fire Safety Compliance and Regulations in SA: Detailed Guide [2025]

Creating fire safety compliance is like baking a highly technical cake. Get the ratios of what you need wrong, or miss a vital step, and you might end up with a mess. This detailed guide to fire protection systems and compliance in SA will help you ensure your fire safety protections aren’t half-baked. 

What are Key Fire Safety Regulations and SANS Codes?

In South Africa, there are several important legal acts that lay out fire safety compliance requirements:

• All buildings across South Africa must comply with the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act No. 103 of 1977
• The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) of 1993
• Local municipal emergency service or fire brigade by-laws are also applicable

Individual fire safety compliance requirements are laid out in SANS (South African National Standards) codes. These include:

• SANS 10400 T: The part of national building regulations concerned with fire protection
• SANS 10287: This standard covers fire sprinkler systems and requirements
• SANS 10139: This standard provides recommendations for the planning, design, installation, and maintenance of fire detection and fire alarm systems
• SANS 10105-1: The standard governing the use and control of fire-fighting equipment, such as portable fire equipment

These standards provide comprehensive guidelines for fire safety compliance. 

For example, SANS 10400 T lays out requirements for general requirements, floor coverings, fire stability of structural elements, and more (see a detailed list here). 

Active VS Passive Fire Protection Systems: What’s the Difference?

So how do you ensure that you stay in compliance with the SANS codes listed above (and others)? By investing in active and passive fire protection systems that use SABS-approved materials that offer enhanced fireproofing. 

What are Active Fire Prevention Systems?

Active fire protection refers to measures that detect and stop fires as well as systems for escaping fires. 

Active safety measures may include manual actions. For example, a person grabbing a portable fire extinguisher and using it to suppress a fire outbreak. 

Examples of active fire safety systems include:

• Fire alarm systems. Early warning can make all the difference between fire containment and catastrophe

• Dry and wet risers. Valves and pipework that enable fire services to pump water into specific areas of a building 

• Public address systems. PA or Rannoy systems that may be used in the event of a fire outbreak to direct personnel or visitors to safety

What are Passive Fire Prevention Systems? 

Passive fire protection or prevention systems aim to prevent the spread of fire throughout a building or environment, without necessarily requiring manual intervention. 

These systems slow and impede fire spread, buying firefighters time to respond to emergencies. 

Examples of passive fire safety systems include:

• Fire doors. Fortified doors that are able to withstand high pressure and heat

• Fire and smoke dampers. Protective elements installed at key points in ventilation systems to help prevent the spread of fire

Common Fire Safety Challenges and How to Overcome them

There are many missteps you could make in setting up fire protection systems. These errors could lead to non-compliance and even fines and legal liabilities due to your premises not meeting regulatory requirements. Avoid pitfalls such as: 

• Failing to carry out inspections. Ignorance of flaws or gaps in fire protection systems is not an accepted defence

• Failing to maintain fixed and portable fire equipment. Fixed installations such as overhead or in-rack sprinkler systems and portable equipment should be serviced regularly. Failure to service these systems could make them inoperable and thus a fire risk and liability

ERF Group performs comprehensive fire risk assessments, backed by over 50 years in firefighting experience. Speak to us for a fire safety compliance audit tailored to your business. 

Stay Ahead with Regular Maintenance and Audits

To ensure fire safety compliance, make sure that you keep regular maintenance schedules and conduct thorough fire risk assessments.

Vital routine inspections include:

• Hydrant flow tests. These ensure that water supplied by hydrants is available and unobstructed for reliable fire suppression

• Hydrostatic pressure testing. These tests ensure that water is available at sufficient pressure and flow to combat fires effectively

Other routine inspections include portable fire equipment inspection and testing and sprinkler system maintenance. Ensuring that there is no weak spot in your fire protection system is the best line of defence. 

Make Compliance Easy with East Rand Fire

A strategic partnership with East Rand Fire is the simplest way to ensure that your premises are protected with complete fire safety compliance. Schedule regular inspections, maintain and renew firefighting and prevention systems, and get SABS-approved equipment and materials that keeps staff, visitors and valuables safe.

Contact ERF today for your zero-obligation quote.