Summary of classification criteria

Non-unique risk levels

1. The same workplace can have different fire risk levels: B / C (except 9.2) and A only

High risk

2. The activities (non-exhaustive list) referred to in 9.2 of ANNEX IX (non-exhaustive) are always at high fire risk.

3. Places at high fire risk are those rooms where, regardless of the presence of flammable substances and the ease with which flames spread, the crowding of the rooms, the state of the premises or the mobility limitations of the people present make evacuation difficult in the event of a fire.

Medium fire risk

4. Workplaces whose activities are included in the annex to Presidential Decree 151/2011, except for activities considered to be high risk, are at medium fire risk.

5. Construction sites, not outdoors, where flammable substances are stored and used and open flames are used are at medium fire risk.

Low risk

6. Workplaces with low fire risk are those that do not have activities that cannot be classified as medium or high risk and in general where there is no risk of a fire developing (exclusion criterion)

Reduction of high risk level

7. A high risk category can be reduced if the work process is carefully managed and escape routes are protected against fire (with the exception of activities referred to in 9.2)

8. In large or complex workplaces with high risk, it is possible to reduce the level of risk through automatic active protection measures such as automatic extinguishing systems, automatic fire detection systems or smoke extraction systems. (with the exception of activities referred to in 9.2)

Fire Risk Level Classification Update

9. If a classification of the fire risk level has been made according to the Ministerial Decree of 16 February 1982, an update/check must be carried out on the same Presidential Decree 151/2011.

10. The risk assessment must be reviewed if there is a significant change in activity, materials used or stored, or when the building is renovated or extended.

ANNEX I GUIDELINES FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF FIRE RISKS IN THE WORKPLACE

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1.4.4 - Fire risk level classification

Based on the risk assessment, it is possible to classify the level of fire risk of the entire workplace or of each part of it: this level can be low, medium or high.

A) Workplaces with low fire risk

Workplaces or parts thereof are considered to be at low fire risk where low-flammability substances are present and local and operating conditions offer little possibility of the development of fire incipients and where, in the event of a fire, the probability of its propagation is to be considered limited.

B) Workplaces with medium fire risk

Workplaces or parts thereof are considered to be at medium fire risk where there are flammable substances and/or local and/or operating conditions that may favor the development of fires, but where, in the event of a fire, the probability of its propagation is to be considered limited. Examples of workplaces at medium fire risk are given in Annex IX.

C) Workplaces with high fire risk

Workplaces or parts of workplaces are considered to be at high fire risk where:

- due to the presence of highly flammable substances and/or local and/or operating conditions, there is a significant probability of fires developing and in the initial phase there is a strong probability of flames spreading, meaning that classification as a place with low or medium fire risk is not possible.

Such places include:

1. areas where work processes involve the use of highly flammable substances (e.g. painting systems), or open flames, or the production of significant heat in the presence of combustible materials;

2. areas where there is storage or handling of chemical substances which may, under certain circumstances, produce exothermic reactions, give off flammable gases or vapours, or react with other combustible substances;

3. areas where explosive or highly flammable substances are stored or handled;

4. areas where there is a significant amount of combustible materials that are easily ignitable;

5. buildings made entirely of wooden structures.

In order to classify a workplace or part of it as having a high fire risk, it is also necessary to take into account that:

a) Many workplaces are classified in the same risk category throughout.

But any high-risk area can raise the risk level of the entire workplace, unless the affected area is separated from the rest of the place by fire-resistant separating elements;

b) a high risk category can be reduced if the work process is carefully managed and escape routes are protected against fire;

c) in large or complex workplaces, it is possible to reduce the level of risk through automatic active protection measures such as automatic extinguishing systems, automatic fire detection systems or smoke extraction systems. Furthermore, those premises should be classified as places with high fire risk where, regardless of the presence of flammable substances and the ease with which flames spread, the crowding of the rooms, the state of the premises or the motor limitations of the people present make evacuation difficult in the event of a fire.

In Annex IX, examples of workplaces with high fire risk.

ATEX

Workplaces where the processing and materials involve explosion hazards or specific fire risks can be identified among those with high fire risk according to the criteria established in the Ministerial Decree of 10 March 1998 (Note prot. n. P118/4179 sub. 5 of 24/02/2000).