Lo más importante
- 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.
- The Generalitat de Catalunya requires installer companies to be licensed in the Register of Installer and Maintenance Companies of the Department of Enterprise and Labour.
- Barcelona has its own municipal ordinance that may set additional requirements beyond the national ones for certain uses and sectors.
- In 2025-2026, regulatory updates are expected in relation to electric-vehicle parkings that will affect BIE provisions in garages.
Key figures
- RD 513/2017 (RIPCI) — state regulation in force since December 2017 for the installation and maintenance of BIEs.
- BIE-25 mm: minimum nozzle pressure 2 bar, flow ≥100 l/min.
- BIE-45 mm: minimum nozzle pressure 3.5 bar, flow ≥200 l/min.
- Evacuation height >24 m: CTE DB-SI threshold for mandatory BIE in residential dwellings.
- Annual review + 5-year pressure test (15 bar, 5 minutes) under RIPCI.
- Up to €600,000 penalty for very serious infringements under the Industry Act 21/1992.
- Type B company licensed by the Department of Enterprise and Labour of the Generalitat — the only legal path to install and maintain BIEs in Catalan territory.
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: minimum nozzle pressure (2 bar for 25 mm BIE, 3.5 bar for 45 mm BIE), minimum flow, hose length and maximum spacing between BIEs.
- Installation: mandatorily by a licensed, registered Type B installer company.
- Commissioning: documented pressure tests and commissioning report signed by the authorised installer.
- Maintenance: schedule of quarterly (owner), annual (licensed company) and five-yearly checks (hose pressure test at 15 bar for 5 minutes).
Failure to comply with the maintenance established by RIPCI is an administrative offence under the Industry Act, with penalties that can reach €600,000 in the most serious bracket.
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 | Evacuation height > 24 m | | Residential public (hotels, residences) | Total area > 1,000 m² or more than 3 floors | | Administrative | Total area > 2,000 m² | | Educational | Total area > 2,000 m² | | Commercial | Built area > 500 m² | | Parking | Built area > 500 m² | | Hospital | In all cases |
For industrial premises, the Regulation on Fire Safety in Industrial Establishments (RSCIEI, RD 2267/2004) additionally applies. RSCIEI classifies premises by intrinsic risk level (low, medium, high) and by configuration (type A: within a building with other activities; type B: in an exclusive building; type C: in a detached building), and for each combination determines whether BIEs are mandatory and what type.
The Generalitat de Catalunya: company licensing
In Catalonia, the installation and maintenance of BIEs can only be carried out by a company licensed in the Register of Installer and Maintenance Companies of the Department of Enterprise and Labour of the Generalitat. This register distinguishes:
- Type A installer companies: may install small-scale detection, alarm and extinguishing systems.
- Type B installer companies: licensed to install any active protection system, including BIEs, sprinklers and fixed extinguishing systems.
- Maintenance companies: licensed for the maintenance and review of installed systems.
Contracting BIE maintenance with a company not listed in this register means that the reviews performed have no legal validity before the Generalitat. 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.
"Most of the BIE reviews we find on a first visit have the certificate 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."
— Technical lead, Igniescut
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.
Regulatory updates 2025-2026: electric vehicle parkings
The proliferation of EV charging points in residential and commercial parkings is driving ongoing regulatory change. In 2025-2026 we expect:
- Update of the Technical Guide of the Department of Enterprise and Labour of the Generalitat with specific BIE provisions for parkings with a significant percentage of charger-equipped spaces.
- Revision of ITC-BT-52 of the Low Voltage Regulation to include active protection requirements based on total installed charging power.
- New requirements from Barcelona City Council for garages in high-density residential zones with charging installations.
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 requires BIEs in residential buildings taller than 28 metres of evacuation height, hotels over 1,000 m² per floor, hospitals, parkings over 500 m², shopping centres and large public-concurrence venues. 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 accessibility, equipment condition and gauge; six-monthly check of tightness; and full annual inspection with hose deployment, pressure test and RIPCI certificate issued by a licensed company.
Who can install and maintain BIEs in Catalonia?
Only Type B companies licensed by the Department of Enterprise and Labour of the Generalitat de Catalunya. It is mandatory to verify that the company holds a current licence before contracting any installation or maintenance.
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 100 l/min at 2 bar). The 45 mm BIE uses a flat hose that must be deployed and usually requires two people (minimum flow 200 l/min at 3.5 bar). The 25 mm BIE is the most common in residential and commercial buildings; the 45 mm BIE is more common in 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. At Igniescut we are a Type B installer and maintenance company licensed by the Generalitat de Catalunya, with presence in Tarragona and Barcelona. We install and maintain BIEs in residential communities, companies, hotels and industrial buildings across Catalonia, 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.