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- RIPCI (RD 513/2017) is the national regulation that sets the technical requirements for BIE installation and maintenance across Spain, including Catalonia.
- CTE DB-SI determines in which buildings BIEs are mandatory according to use and area; industrial buildings are additionally governed by RSCIEI.
- In Catalonia, installation and maintenance companies established there appear in the Registry of industrial safety agents of Catalonia (RASIC) of the Department of Enterprise and Labour; a qualification obtained in another region is equally valid throughout Spain (Royal Decree 513/2017, arts. 11.5 and 16.5).
- Barcelona has its own municipal ordinance that may set additional requirements beyond the national ones for certain uses and sectors.
- In garages with electric-vehicle charging, the reference in Catalonia is ITC SP-147 of the Bombers de la Generalitat (October 2024), which adds to the BIE provision of CTE DB-SI; industrial premises are governed by RD 164/2025 (the new RSCIEI).
Key figures
- RD 513/2017 (RIPCI) — state regulation in force since December 2017 for the installation and maintenance of BIEs.
- BIE-25 mm: minimum flow of 85 l/min with at least 4 bar at the BIE inlet (Royal Decree 513/2017, Annex I).
- BIE-45 mm: minimum flow of 160 l/min and 3.5 bar at the inlet; in both, the pressure must not exceed 9 bar.
- Residential dwellings: CTE DB-SI does not require BIEs by use (only in high special-risk areas); it does require a dry riser above 24 m of evacuation height (SI 4, Table 1.1).
- Annual inspection and five-yearly hose test to UNE-EN 671-3 (Royal Decree 513/2017, Annex II, Table II); the hose is replaced after 20 years at most.
- Penalties: these vary depending on severity, with the maximum limits set by Catalan Law 9/2014 (art. 27) in Catalonia and Spanish Law 21/1992 (art. 34) at state level.
- A company qualified for BIE systems (in Catalonia, registered in RASIC; a qualification obtained in another region is valid throughout Spain, Royal Decree 513/2017, arts. 11.5 and 16.5).
Equipped Fire Hose Reels (BIEs) are one of the most widely used active fire protection elements in residential, commercial and industrial buildings across Catalonia. But the regulations that govern them are layered: national regulation, building code, regional rules and municipal ordinances. Understanding what is required in each case and who can install and maintain BIEs in Catalonia requires familiarity with all these sources.
If you are looking for a general introduction to what a BIE is, the types (25 mm vs 45 mm) and common maintenance guidelines, see first BIEs: installation, maintenance and regulations. This article focuses on Catalonia's regulatory detail.
The national framework: RIPCI (RD 513/2017)
The Regulation of Fire Protection Installations, approved by Royal Decree 513/2017, is the technical benchmark for BIEs across Spain. It replaced the previous 1993 RIPCI and updated the requirements for design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of all extinguishing equipment.
For BIEs, RIPCI sets out:
- Technical characteristics (Annex I): minimum flow and pressure at the BIE inlet (85 l/min and 4 bar for the 25 mm BIE; 160 l/min and 3.5 bar for the 45 mm BIE; 9 bar maximum in both), hose length and maximum spacing between BIEs.
- Installation: mandatorily by an installer company licensed and registered for these systems.
- Commissioning: documented pressure tests and commissioning report signed by the authorised installer.
- Maintenance (Annex II): quarterly check (owner or maintenance company), annual inspection by a qualified maintenance company to UNE-EN 671-3 and five-yearly hose test to the same standard (Table II); the hose is replaced after 20 years at most.
Failure to comply with the maintenance established by RIPCI is an administrative offence under the Industry Act, penalised depending on severity, with the maximum limits set by Catalan Law 9/2014 (art. 27) in Catalonia and Spanish Law 21/1992 (art. 34) at state level.
The Spanish Building Code: when they are mandatory
CTE DB-SI (Basic Document on Fire Safety) determines the buildings in which BIE installation is mandatory:
| Building use | Obligation threshold |
|---|---|
| Residential dwelling | Not required by use (only in high special-risk areas) |
| Residential public (hotels, residences) | Built area > 1,000 m² or accommodation for more than 50 people |
| Administrative | Built area > 2,000 m² |
| Educational | Built area > 2,000 m² |
| Commercial | Built area > 500 m² |
| Public assembly | Built area > 500 m² |
| Parking | Built area > 500 m² (except robotic car parks) |
| Hospital | In all cases |
Source: CTE DB-SI, SI 4, Table 1.1. In any use, BIEs are also required in high special-risk areas where the risk comes mainly from solid combustible materials.
For industrial premises, the Regulation on Fire Safety in Industrial Establishments (RSCIEI, RD 164/2025) additionally applies. RSCIEI classifies premises by intrinsic risk level (low, medium, high) and by establishment configuration —for buildings, types AV, AH, B and C under RD 164/2025, according to their relationship with adjoining buildings and their layout—, and for each combination determines whether BIEs are mandatory and what type.
The Generalitat de Catalunya: company licensing
The installation and maintenance of BIEs can only be carried out by an installation or maintenance company qualified for that system (Royal Decree 513/2017, arts. 9–16). If it is established in Catalonia it appears in the Registry of industrial safety agents of Catalonia (RASIC) of the Department of Enterprise and Labour of the Generalitat; a qualification obtained in another region is equally valid throughout Spain (arts. 11.5 and 16.5). The register lists installer and maintenance companies together with the systems each one is licensed for:
- Installer companies: licensed to install the systems they are registered for, for example BIEs, sprinklers or fixed extinguishing systems.
- Maintenance companies: licensed for the maintenance and review of the systems they are registered for.
Contracting BIE maintenance with a company that is not qualified for that system means the reviews cannot prove the maintenance required by RIPCI. In case of an incident, the insurance company may deny coverage if maintenance was not performed by a licensed company.
The Generalitat also performs periodic ex-officio inspections in buildings of public, commercial and industrial use. These inspections verify the existence of a current maintenance contract, annual review reports and commissioning certificates for the installations.
"In many BIE reviews the certificate is in order, but the hose has never been fully deployed. RIPCI requires deployment to verify the full length's condition. A certificate without the actual test is worthless before a Department of Enterprise and Labour inspection."
— Igniescut technician network
Municipal ordinances: Barcelona and Tarragona
Barcelona
Barcelona City Council has the Ordenança de Prevenció i Seguretat en Matèria d'Incendis i Activitats (Fire Prevention and Safety Ordinance for Activities), which complements national and regional regulation with requirements specific to activities within the municipality. This ordinance may set:
- Additional BIE requirements in public-concurrence activities, entertainment venues and restaurants.
- Stricter BIE cabinet accessibility requirements than those set by RIPCI.
- Specific signage obligations in historic buildings or on high-pedestrian-density streets.
The SPEIS (Fire Prevention, Extinction and Rescue Service) of Barcelona City Council performs ex-officio and on-request inspections and issues binding reports in the activity licensing process.
Tarragona and the Petrochemical Complex
In Tarragona, proximity to the Petrochemical Complex and the concentration of high-risk industrial activity introduces specific requirements beyond RSCIEI. Installations in ATEX zones (potentially explosive atmospheres) require BIEs with materials and connections certified for flammable environments. Tarragona City Council and the Department of Environment of the Generalitat jointly intervene in the authorisation process for these industrial installations.
Electric vehicle parkings: current references
The proliferation of EV charging points in residential and commercial parkings has added specific references for these garages:
- ITC SP-147 of the Bombers de la Generalitat (October 2024) sets the fire safety conditions in Catalonia for car parks with charging infrastructure, according to the power of the charging points.
- CTE DB-SI keeps the BIE provision for car parks over 500 m² (SI 4, Table 1.1), and industrial premises are governed by RD 164/2025 (the new RSCIEI), in force since 10 May 2025.
- ITC-BT-52 of the Low Voltage Regulation governs the electrical installation of charging points, not the BIE provision.
BIEs in EV parkings may require additional water provisions or additives to be effective against lithium battery fires. We recommend reviewing this matter before updating or expanding the parking's charging installations. For a full view of all mandatory PCI systems in EV parkings, see our guide on EV parking safety.
Frequently asked questions
When is a BIE mandatory in a building in Catalonia?
CTE DB-SI (SI 4, Table 1.1) requires BIEs in hospitals in all cases, in residential public buildings over 1,000 m² or accommodating more than 50 people, in administrative and educational buildings over 2,000 m², in commercial, public-assembly and parking buildings over 500 m² and, in any use, in high special-risk areas. It does not require them by use in residential dwellings. Industrial premises are governed by RSCIEI based on intrinsic risk level and sector area.
How often must BIEs be inspected under RIPCI?
Quarterly check of signage, accessibility, gauge and component condition (Annex II, Table I), which the owner or the maintenance company may carry out; annual inspection by a qualified maintenance company to UNE-EN 671-3; and five-yearly hose test to the same standard (Table II). The hose is replaced after 20 years at most.
Who can install and maintain BIEs in Catalonia?
Only an installation or maintenance company qualified for BIE systems (Royal Decree 513/2017, arts. 9–16). If it is established in Catalonia it appears in RASIC; a qualification obtained in another region is equally valid throughout Spain (arts. 11.5 and 16.5). Before contracting, check which systems it is qualified for and that its qualification is current.
What is the difference between a 25 mm BIE and a 45 mm BIE?
The 25 mm BIE has a semi-rigid hose that can be used without fully deploying it and without assistance (minimum flow of 85 l/min with 4 bar at the inlet; Royal Decree 513/2017, Annex I). The 45 mm BIE uses a flat hose that must be deployed and usually requires two people (minimum flow of 160 l/min with 3.5 bar at the inlet); in both, the pressure must not exceed 9 bar. The 25 mm BIE is the one CTE DB-SI requires when it requires BIEs by use; the 45 mm BIE is the one for high special-risk areas, industry and large installations.
Installation and maintenance in Catalonia: why choose a licensed company
BIEs are an essential component of active fire protection systems, alongside extinguishers, automatic sprinklers and detection systems. Igniescut coordinates a network of licensed technicians specialised in fire protection installation and maintenance, based in Tarragona, Barcelona and Madrid. The network installs and maintains BIEs in residential communities, companies, hotels and industrial buildings, in full compliance with RIPCI, CTE and regional regulations.
If you need to install new BIEs, review existing ones or bring your installation up to current regulations, contact us for a no-obligation consultation.