NEW FIRE SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES AND INSPECTION PROCEDURES TAKE EFFECT ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2026

Developers Responsible for Fire Safety Acceptance Results

One of the key changes concerns the responsibilities of project developers and building owners during fire safety acceptance procedures.

Under the amended regulations, developers or building owners are responsible for organizing fire safety acceptance inspections for projects and buildings within the applicable scope and are legally accountable for the results.

Before putting a building into operation, the developer must also submit the required information to the database system for fire prevention, firefighting, rescue and salvage, as well as the fire alarm transmission system, in accordance with regulations.

For vehicles subject to fire safety acceptance requirements, vehicle owners are responsible for organizing the acceptance process and remain legally accountable for the results. Before putting the vehicle into operation, the owner must notify the relevant specialized management authority in writing.

Revised Allocation of Fire Safety Inspection Authority

Decree 347 also revises the framework governing fire safety inspections, clarifying the respective responsibilities of the police authorities and construction authorities under provincial-level People's Committees.

Police Authorities to Conduct Periodic Inspections

Under the revised regulations, authorized police authorities will conduct periodic inspections:

• Once a year for Group 1 establishments listed in Appendix II, construction projects under construction that are subject to fire safety design appraisal or approval, and vehicles listed in Appendix III.
• Once every two years for Group 2 establishments listed in Appendix II.

In addition to scheduled inspections, police authorities may conduct unscheduled inspections where there are indications of legal violations, complaints or denunciations relating to fire safety, or when requested by competent authorities for national security and public order purposes.

The scope and content of each inspection will depend on the relevant type of establishment, construction project or vehicle and the requirements set out in Decree 105/2025/ND-CP.

Construction Authorities Also Assigned Inspection Responsibilities

Provincial-level People's Committees are responsible for assigning or delegating inspection duties to specialized construction authorities within their respective jurisdictions.

The inspection frequency follows the same classification:

• Group 1 establishments: once a year.
• Group 2 establishments: once every two years.

Specialized construction authorities may also conduct unscheduled inspections when there are indications of violations, complaints or denunciations concerning fire prevention, firefighting, rescue and salvage, or when competent authorities request coordination for security and public order purposes.

Inspection activities must remain within the scope of responsibilities assigned under Decree 105/2025/ND-CP.

More Detailed Procedures for Periodic Fire Safety Inspections

Another notable change is the revision of procedures for periodic fire safety inspections of establishments, construction projects and vehicles under the relevant authorities' management.

Under the new regulations, the process consists of several key steps:

1. Preparing an inspection plan

Before December 15 each year, the police authority, specialized construction authority or commune-level People's Committee, depending on its assigned jurisdiction, must prepare a periodic inspection plan for the following year. The plan may be adjusted when necessary.

2. Advance notice of inspection

The competent authority must establish an inspection team or assign officials to conduct the inspection. Written notice specifying the inspection schedule, scope and participating personnel must be sent to the entity being inspected at least three working days before the inspection.

3. Conducting the inspection

The head of the inspection team or the assigned official is responsible for introducing the inspection participants, scope and methodology, and assigning tasks to team members in accordance with their respective authority.

4. Preparing the inspection record

Upon completion of the inspection, an official record must be prepared using Form No. PC03 issued together with the Decree.

If the inspected entity refuses to sign the record, the reason for the refusal must be clearly stated in the inspection record.

What Developers and Businesses Need to Note

The new regulations place clearer responsibilities on developers, building owners and vehicle owners to ensure compliance with fire safety requirements before buildings or vehicles are put into operation.

For project developers, fire safety acceptance is not merely a procedural requirement. It is directly linked to legal responsibility for the acceptance results and the obligation to submit required information to the relevant fire safety database before a building begins operations.

At the same time, clearer inspection cycles, advance-notice requirements and documentation procedures provide developers and businesses with a more predictable framework for preparing the necessary documents, personnel and fire safety conditions for inspections.

Decree No. 347/2026/ND-CP will take effect on September 15, 2026. Developers, businesses and building owners falling within its scope should review their fire safety acceptance procedures, documentation and respective responsibilities to ensure compliance once the new regulations come into force.