Jadual Pertama BOMBA Malaysia: Schedule of Designated Premises & Fire Certificate Requirements

The Fire Services (Designated Premises) Order, amended in 2020 via P.U.(A) 289/2020, defines which buildings in Malaysia must hold a fire certificate from BOMBA. If your premises falls into one of the designated categories and meets the size threshold, you're legally required to obtain and renew a Perakuan Bomba every 12 months. Operating without one carries fines up to RM50,000 and possible imprisonment under Section 28 of the Fire Services Act 1988 (Act 341).

This article walks you through every category in the schedule, the size thresholds that trigger the requirement, and the 2020 amendment that added the SPKA (Automatic Fire Monitoring System) condition to all designated premises.

Already know your premises is designated? Skip ahead to the fire certificate process in our step-by-step BOMBA application guide.

The Schedule of Designated Premises

Under the Fire Services Act 1988, BOMBA classifies certain buildings as premis ditetapkan (designated premises). Only these premises are legally required to hold a fire certificate. The categories and thresholds are set out in the Fire Services (Designated Premises) Order 1998 [P.U.(A) 276/98], as amended by P.U.(A) 289/2020.

The table below lists each category. "Semua" means all premises of that type require a fire certificate regardless of size.

No.	Premises Type	Size / Threshold Criteria
1	Hospitals and nursing homes	All
2	Hotels	All
3	Hostels and dormitories	All
4	Office buildings	More than 3 storeys or more than 1,000 m²
5	Shops and commercial premises	More than 500 m²
6	Single-storey factories (with sprinklers)	More than 2,000 m²
7	Multi-storey factories	More than 2,000 m²
8	Factories with hazardous processes	All (regardless of size)
9	Assembly buildings (cinemas, concert halls, etc.)	More than 1,000 m² or capacity exceeding 1,000 persons
10	Warehouses and storage	Volume exceeding 7,000 m³ or floor area exceeding 1,000 m²
11	Libraries	More than 1,000 m²

The Director General of BOMBA also has discretionary power to designate any premises that poses a fire hazard, even if it doesn't fall neatly into these categories. So the schedule is a minimum, not an exhaustive list.

Exemptions

Two types of premises are explicitly exempted from the fire certificate requirement: single private dwellings used solely as a private residence, and places of worship. But the exemption can be overridden if the Director General determines that a specific premises poses a fire hazard.

How to Determine If Your Premises Is Designated

The classification isn't always straightforward. Many premises owners assume they don't need a fire certificate because their building "isn't that big" or "isn't a factory." Here's how to work through the decision.

Step	Action	What to Check
1	Identify your premises type	Match your building's primary use against the categories above
2	Check the size threshold	Measure total built-up area (m²) or volume (m³) depending on the category
3	Check for hazardous processes	If your operations involve flammable chemicals, gases, or high-risk processes, you may fall under category 8 regardless of size
4	Check for mixed use	A building with factory operations AND office space may trigger multiple categories
5	Confirm with BOMBA	If uncertain, contact your state BOMBA office for a determination

Factory Categories Explained

Factories get three separate entries in the schedule (categories 6, 7, and 8) because the risk profile varies significantly depending on the building configuration and the type of operations inside.

Factory Type	Why It's Higher Risk	Typical Examples
Single-storey with sprinklers (>2,000 m²)	Large floor plates mean fire can spread across a wide area before detection	Automotive assembly, large-scale manufacturing, food processing
Multi-storey (>2,000 m²)	Vertical fire spread, evacuation complexity, higher occupant loads per floor	Electronics manufacturing, textile factories, mixed-use industrial buildings
Hazardous processes (all sizes)	Flammable, explosive, or toxic materials create risks beyond normal occupancy	Chemical plants, paint manufacturing, LPG facilities, solvent-based operations

Category 8 is the one that catches many operators off guard. A small workshop under 2,000 m² might assume it doesn't need a fire certificate. But if it stores or processes flammable chemicals, it can fall under "factories with hazardous processes" and the size threshold doesn't apply.

The 2020 Amendment: SPKA Requirement

The Fire Services (Designated Premises) (Amendment) Order 2020 [P.U.(A) 289/2020] introduced a significant new condition: all designated premises must install and maintain an SPKA (Sistem Pemantauan Kebakaran Automatik), an Automatic Fire Monitoring System that connects your fire alarm panel to the nearest BOMBA Operations Movement Centre (Pusat Gerakan Operasi, PGO).

Without an active SPKA connection, BOMBA will not issue or renew your fire certificate. This is non-negotiable.

SPKA Requirement	Details
What it does	Automatically transmits fire alarm signals from your premises to the nearest BOMBA operations centre
Who installs it	BOMBA-approved SPKA service providers
Ongoing cost	Monthly monitoring fee payable to the SPKA provider (varies by provider and premises type)
Condition for fire certificate	SPKA must be active and connected at the time of BOMBA inspection
If connection lapses	Fire certificate renewal may be refused until SPKA connection is restored

For a detailed breakdown of SPKA installation and provider selection, see our SPKA system guide.

Fire Certificate Obligations for Designated Premises

Once your premises is classified as designated, you have specific legal obligations under the Fire Services Act 1988.

Obligation	Legal Basis	Penalty for Non-Compliance
Obtain fire certificate before occupying the premises	Section 28(1), Act 341	Fine up to RM50,000 and/or imprisonment up to 5 years
Renew fire certificate annually (every 12 months)	Section 28(2), Act 341	Same as above
Display certificate at the premises	Fire Services (Fire Certificate) Regulations 2001	Non-compliance during BOMBA inspection
Maintain all fire safety installations in working order	Section 29, Act 341	Certificate may be revoked
Install and maintain SPKA connection	P.U.(A) 289/2020	Fire certificate not issued/renewed without active SPKA

Insurance Implications

Whether your premises is designated under the BOMBA schedule has direct consequences for your fire insurance and Industrial All Risks (IAR) coverage.

Most fire insurance policies in Malaysia include a condition requiring the policyholder to comply with all applicable fire safety regulations. If your premises is designated but you don't hold a valid fire certificate, the insurer has grounds to dispute a claim. The argument is straightforward: you were operating in breach of a statutory requirement, and that breach is directly connected to the fire risk the policy is supposed to cover.

Insurance surveyors routinely check fire certificate status during risk assessments. An expired or missing fire certificate is a red flag that can result in higher premiums, additional conditions, or in severe cases, refusal to cover the premises.

Scenario	Without Valid Fire Certificate	With Valid Fire Certificate
Fire insurance claim	Insurer may dispute or reject claim citing non-compliance	Claim processed normally (subject to other policy conditions)
Premium renewal	Higher premiums or additional warranties imposed	Standard underwriting terms
Risk survey	Flagged as non-compliant; may trigger remedial requirements	Positive compliance record supports risk assessment

Common Misconceptions About Designated Premises

After working with factory owners and commercial property managers, these are the misconceptions we see most often.

Misconception	Reality
"My factory is under 2,000 m² so I don't need a fire certificate"	If you use hazardous chemicals or have hazardous processes, category 8 applies regardless of size
"The landlord handles the fire certificate"	The occupier of the premises is responsible, not necessarily the building owner. If you're the tenant operating the factory, the obligation may fall on you
"We got the fire certificate when the building was built; we're done"	Fire certificates are valid for 12 months only. Annual renewal with a fresh BOMBA inspection is mandatory
"Shophouses don't need fire certificates"	Commercial premises exceeding 500 m² do. A row of connected shophouses operating as one business may exceed this threshold
"SPKA is optional"	Since the 2020 amendment, SPKA is mandatory for all designated premises. No active SPKA, no fire certificate

FAQ

What is the Jadual Pertama (First Schedule) under BOMBA?

It is the schedule in the Fire Services (Designated Premises) Order that lists all categories of buildings required to hold a fire certificate. The schedule specifies the premises type and the size threshold for each category.

How many categories of designated premises are there?

The schedule lists 11 main categories, including hospitals, hotels, office buildings, factories (three sub-categories), assembly buildings, warehouses, shops, dormitories, and libraries. The Director General can also designate additional premises on a case-by-case basis.

Does a small factory under 2,000 m² need a fire certificate?

Possibly. If the factory involves hazardous processes (flammable chemicals, explosive materials, high-risk operations), category 8 applies regardless of size. The 2,000 m² threshold only applies to standard single-storey and multi-storey factories.

What is the SPKA requirement added in 2020?

The 2020 amendment [P.U.(A) 289/2020] requires all designated premises to have an SPKA (Automatic Fire Monitoring System) connected to the nearest BOMBA operations centre. Without an active SPKA, BOMBA will not issue or renew a fire certificate.

Can my fire insurance claim be rejected if I don't have a fire certificate?

Yes. Most fire insurance policies require compliance with fire safety regulations. Operating a designated premises without a valid fire certificate constitutes a regulatory breach that insurers can cite when disputing claims.

Who is responsible for the fire certificate: the building owner or the tenant?

The occupier of the premises bears the responsibility under the Fire Services Act 1988. If you're a factory tenant operating the premises, the obligation to obtain and renew the fire certificate typically falls on you, not the landlord. Check your tenancy agreement for specific arrangements.

How often must the fire certificate be renewed?

Every 12 months. BOMBA conducts a fresh inspection for each renewal. Submit your renewal application (Borang III) at least 30 days before expiry to avoid operating without a valid certificate.

Foundation Conclusion

If your building falls into any of the 11 designated premises categories under the Fire Services (Designated Premises) Order, the fire certificate isn't optional. And since the 2020 amendment, you also need an active SPKA connection. These aren't just regulatory checkboxes; they directly affect whether your fire insurance will pay out when you need it most.

Foundation helps factory owners, warehouse operators, and commercial property managers connect their BOMBA compliance status with the right fire insurance and IAR coverage.

Talk to our risk specialists about your premises' fire insurance needs

Disclaimer: This article provides general guidance based on the Fire Services Act 1988 (Act 341), Fire Services (Designated Premises) Order 1998 [P.U.(A) 276/98], and the 2020 Amendment Order [P.U.(A) 289/2020] as of March 2026. Regulations may be amended. Always verify current requirements with your state BOMBA office or qualified fire safety professionals before making compliance decisions.