Fire Safety Plans (MAP) for Industry and Warehouses
What changes when fire load and storage go up.
Why industry and warehouses are different
Industrial units, workshops and warehouses generally fall under Utilização-Tipo XII. It's the type of space where the fire load tends to be highest, because of raw materials, stored finished product and the processes themselves, which pushes many of these sites into higher risk categories.
Storage height, the presence of flammable liquids or gases, and processes involving heat or sparks all weigh heavily in the assessment. Two units of the same area can have very different obligations depending on what is done and stored there.
When this usually becomes urgent
- Industrial licensing (the industrial activity regime): the MAP is part of the process
- Starting a new line, process or storage operation
- Increasing storage height or the quantity of product kept
- Introducing flammable liquids, gases or high-stacked pallets
- An inspection or an insurer's survey that flagged gaps in detection or extinguishing systems
- Moving into a unit that never had a MAP
What usually gets assessed
Detection and extinguishing systems sized for the real fire load, which in warehouses can mean automatic detection across the whole unit and, in some cases, fixed extinguishing systems. Compartmentation and safety distances between process and storage areas. Enough exits and evacuation routes for the workers, even with the unit full. Smoke control in large spaces. A safety organisation with a first-response team and worker training. The exact risk category and specific obligations are set by a técnico autor.
Need to sort this out?
Frequently asked questions
Does a warehouse with no permanent staff need a MAP?
Usually yes. The obligation comes from the fire load and the area, not the number of people inside. A large logistics warehouse can be in a high risk category even with few operators.
My workshop is small. Does this still apply?
It depends on the area and what's done there. Small 1st-category workshops have minimal obligations; from the 2nd category a MAP is required. Processes involving welding, painting or fuels can raise the category. Check with a técnico autor.
I have an approved MAP but changed what I store in the warehouse. Does it need updating?
Yes, if the change alters the fire load or the way things are stored. The MAP has to reflect the site's real situation, and an inspection will compare what's on paper with what's on the ground.
This guide is general orientation and doesn't replace legal or technical advice. Your building's exact risk category and obligations are determined by a técnico autor registered with ANEPC.