Construction Plan Review - Cuerpo de Bomberos

When opening a restaurant involves new construction, remodeling, or changes to the building, the construction project must undergo review by the Benemérito Cuerpo de Bomberos de Costa Rica in the technical‑professional aspects of fire prevention and control, according to the Manual of Technical Provisions.

How it works: since 2011 (Decreto Ejecutivo 36550-MP-MIVAH-S-MEIC), plan review is carried out through the digital platform APC (Administrador de Proyectos de Construcción), which allows a simplified and unified process.

Institutions that review the same digital file on the APC platform:

• INVU (Instituto Nacional de Vivienda y Urbanismo)
• Ministerio de Salud
• Cuerpo de Bomberos
• AyA (Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados)
• CFIA (Colegio Federado de Ingenieros y de Arquitectos)

How to submit: the responsible professional (engineer or architect) uploads the plans in digital PDF format through the APC platform, including all the documents each institution requires, without the need to submit physical plans.

The plan‑review area of the Departamento de Ingeniería de Bomberos is the one that evaluates new projects within this process.

Note: this sheet applies when there is new construction work or remodeling. If the premises already exist and the building will not be modified, this specific procedure may not apply — confirm with Bomberos or with the professional in charge of the project as appropriate.