Fire Control Law of the People’s Republic of China was promulgated in 1998, and amended in 2008, 2019 and 2021 respectively. The latest revision entered into force on 29 Apr. 2021.
There are 74 articles in total. The Law aims to prevent fire disasters, reduce fire hazards, and protect the safety of persons and property.
The key points are as follows:
The State Council shall lead the fire control work nationwide. The local people’s governments at various levels shall be responsible for the fire control work within their respective administrative regions. The emergency management authority under the State Council (the Ministry of Emergency Management) shall supervise and administrate the fire control work nationwide. The emergency management authorities of local people’s governments at or above the county level shall supervise and administrate the fire control work within their respective administrative regions, and the fire rescue department of the people’s government at the corresponding level shall be responsible for the implementation.
Prior to the use or the open for business of a public gathering place, the administration of notification and commitment shall be implemented for the fire safety inspection. That is, before a public gathering place is put into use or open for business, the owner or user shall apply to the fire rescue department of the local people’s government at or above the county level at the location of the place for fire safety inspection, make a commitment that the place complies with firefighting technical standards and administrative provisions, submit the required materials, and be responsible for its commitment and the veracity of materials.
Where it is found upon inspection that the use or operation of a public gathering place fails to conform to the commitment, a rectification shall be ordered to be made within a prescribed time limit, and the relevant permit shall be revoked in accordance with the law if the requirements are still not satisfied after the rectification or the rectification is overdue.