Safety of installations inside buildings

In forceEnergia & ImpiantiLegge/DecretoCogente● In review

Summary

TAV. 00

The regulation reorganising the installation of building systems and governing their safety. It establishes who may install (qualified firms), when a design is required, which systems are concerned and — above all — requires the Declaration of Conformity (DICO) on completion, a key document for occupancy and property transactions. It replaced the historic Law 46/1990.

Scope of application

TAV. 01

It applies to systems serving buildings, regardless of use: electrical and electronic, radio/TV, heating/air-conditioning, water and sanitary, gas distribution and use, lifting, and fire-protection systems. It concerns installing firms, clients, designers and administrators; the works director checks the documentary outcomes.

In depth

TAV. A

Who installs, what is needed, what remains

D.M. 37/2008 answers three practical questions: who may install a system, when a design signed by a professional is required, and which document closes the work. The answer to the first is the qualified firm; to the second, the mandatory design above the thresholds set by the decree; to the third, the Declaration of Conformity. It is the administrative frame that makes a system lawful, as well as working.

The Declaration of Conformity (DICO)

The DICO is the document by which the firm certifies that it has built the system in a workmanlike manner, in compliance with the design and the technical standards. The drawings and component information are attached to it. For older systems lacking the original declaration, the law provides the Declaration of Compliance (DiRi), issued by a qualified technician. Without these documents, occupancy and many property transactions are blocked.

Workmanlike execution and technical standards

The decree does not rewrite the technical rules of each system: it refers to good-practice standards (UNI, CEI). Conformity with these standards leads to a presumption of workmanlike execution. It is the mechanism linking the general legal obligation to the specific sector technical requirements.

From the qualified firm to the Declaration of Conformity

01
Qualified firmTechnical-professional requisites and entry in the business register / artisans' roll.
02
Installation designMandatory above the decree thresholds; below, the as-built scheme suffices.
03
Workmanlike executionConformity with the applicable UNI/CEI standards.
04
Declaration of Conformity (DICO)On completion; precondition for occupancy and property transactions.

The full, up-to-date text of the decree can be consulted free of charge at the official source indicated on this sheet.

Key points

TAV. K

Systems must be installed by qualified firms that hold technical-professional requirements and are entered in the business register or the artisans' roll.
An installation design is mandatory above size/performance thresholds defined by the decree; below them, the as-built scheme of the system may suffice.
On completion the firm issues the Declaration of Conformity (DICO), certifying workmanlike execution and accompanying the system with its technical documentation.
Conformity with the design and with UNI/CEI technical standards leads to a presumption of "workmanlike" execution.
The DICO (or the Declaration of Compliance for older systems) is a precondition for occupancy and is requested in property transactions.
The decree repealed and replaced Law 46/1990, keeping its framework and broadening the scope.

Frequently asked questions

TAV. Q

What is the Declaration of Conformity (DICO)?

It is the document by which the installing firm certifies it has built the system in a workmanlike manner, in compliance with the design and technical standards. It is required for occupancy and in property transactions.

When is an installation design mandatory?

When the size or performance thresholds set by the decree for each type of system are exceeded. Below them, the as-built scheme of the system may suffice.

Who can install a system?

Only qualified firms holding the required technical-professional requisites and entered in the business register or the artisans' roll. "DIY" does not satisfy the decree for the systems concerned.

I have an old system without a DICO: what can I do?

For systems built before the obligation or lacking the original declaration, a qualified technician can issue the Declaration of Compliance (DiRi), in the cases and under the conditions provided.

Does D.M. 37/2008 replace Law 46/90?

Yes: the decree repealed Law 46/1990, taking up its framework and broadening and updating the scope and obligations.

Glossary

TAV. G

Dichiarazione di Conformità (DICO): Document by which the firm certifies workmanlike execution of the system, in compliance with the design and technical standards.
Dichiarazione di Rispondenza (DiRi): Act replacing the DICO for older systems or those lacking the original declaration, issued by a qualified technician.
Impresa abilitata: Firm holding the technical-professional requisites to install systems and entered in the business register or the artisans' roll.
Regola d'arte: Standard of correct execution: conformity with UNI/CEI standards leads to a presumption of compliance.
Progetto dell'impianto: Technical document mandatory above certain thresholds, drawn up by a qualified professional.
Agibilità: Attestation of the building's safety, hygiene and healthiness conditions, for which the systems' documentation is a precondition.