Four years ago, on January 6, 2015, the São Paulo State Law No. 1257 was published, establishing a new São Paulo State Code of Fire Protection and Emergencies. To enact this law, three decrees were created, two of which were signed by the governor and published.
To the disappointment of ABSpk, the third decree was not signed by the governor and therefore did not become part of the new law. This third decree would have established requirements for certified products for building protection and firefighting, as well as giving a police power with regard to building safety to the São Paulo State Fire Department.
Fire safety products
With the São Paulo State governor involved in the recent Brazilian Presidential elections, and realizing that the vice-governor could act in his absence, ABSpk coordinated a new effort, enlisting the support of a wide range of Brazilian fire protection and construction associations. A joint letter was forwarded to the vice-governor with the help of Colonel Cássio Armani (formerly a São Paulo Fire Department Commander).
A joint letter was forwarded to the vice-governor with the help of Colonel Cássio Armani
As a result, the third decree was signed on December 10, 2018, published the day after, and will be valid in 120 days following publication. Among several important regulations, the Fire Department will require the certification, or other conformity assessment mechanism, of fire safety products for buildings and risk areas, through certification bodies accredited by the National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology (INMETRO), proving compliance with national technical standards.
Non-Certified fire sprinklers
Implementation will also take place through an ordinance to be published by CBPMESP (the Military Police of São Paulo), which will establish deadlines for adapting the market to these legal provisions.
ABSpk, which has previously gone on record to warn about the proliferation of non-certified fire sprinklers in Brazil, has won a considerable victory. Due to the fact that most of Brazil follows the leadership of São Paulo State, ABSpk expects that this regulation will bring about profound changes, since it will affect all of Brazil once the other Brazilian states adopt the São Paulo State Regulations.