On 6 October 2026, JBPM Director-General Datuk Seri Nor Hisham Mohammad announced that owners of 9,451 designated buildings must appoint certified Fire Safety Managers (FSMs) and Fire Safety Officers (FSOs) from 1 April 2027. He made the announcement at the launch of the FSM and FSO programme in Kuala Lumpur, where the first 174 FSMs and 324 FSOs received their certificates.
The news reports carry the headline. This page separates what JBPM has said from what it has not said yet, and shows you how to plan for your own building.
Last updated: 12 October 2026. We update this page when JBPM publishes new details.
The short version
- 1 April 2027 is the compliance deadline. From that date, JBPM will look for a certified FSM, FSOs and a Fire Safety Organisation (OKK) when it inspects a designated building for its Fire Certificate.
- JBPM checks this at your building's Fire Certificate inspection, so your certificate expiry date tells you when your building will be checked.
- Each designated building needs one FSM and at least three FSOs.
What's confirmed and what's still open
| Item | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Designated premises must set up a Fire Safety Organisation (OKK) | In the law: Section 27A, Fire Services Act 1988 (Act 341) | Act 341; JBPM, 6 Oct 2026 |
| The requirement applies from 1 April 2027 | Announced by the JBPM Director-General and gazetted | Bernama, 6 Oct 2026 |
| 9,451 designated buildings affected | JBPM figure | Bernama, 6 Oct 2026 |
| Fire Certificate renewal based on the FSM's annual inspection report | Announced as JBPM's direction. No start date given. | Bernama, 6 Oct 2026 |
| 13 registered training providers, with more to come through a tender | Announced | Bernama, 6 Oct 2026 |
| How long FSM and FSO certificates stay valid, and CPD rules | Not published yet | None yet |
Does this apply to my building?
It applies to designated premises: buildings that must hold a Fire Certificate (Perakuan Bomba) under Act 341. JBPM describes them as buildings with sprinkler systems, such as shopping complexes, office buildings and other large premises.
If your building holds a Fire Certificate today, plan as if it is in scope. Your state JBPM office can confirm. Our Fire Certificate and OKK guide lists the building types.
When will JBPM check my building?
Treat 1 April 2027 as your compliance deadline. From that date, JBPM will check for your FSM, FSOs and OKK at your building's Fire Certificate inspection, starting with the first inspection after 1 April 2027.
So the date to find is your own Fire Certificate expiry. If your renewal inspection falls soon after 1 April 2027, your four people need to be certified before then. Your state JBPM office can confirm the inspection date for your building.
What 1 + 3 means
Each designated building needs a Fire Safety Organisation with one FSM and at least three FSOs. The FSM leads on building inspections, evacuation planning, reporting and maintenance records. The FSOs support the FSM on site. JBPM expects 6,000 FSMs and 18,000 FSOs to be appointed between 2026 and 2030, the same one-to-three ratio.
Your FSM's report will carry more weight
JBPM plans to stop inspecting every building in person each year. For Fire Certificate renewal, it will assess the annual inspection report your certified FSM prepares. JBPM has not given a start date for this change. Once it starts, the quality of your FSM's report will shape how your renewal goes.
Training seats
At the 6 October launch, the first 498 people (174 FSMs and 324 FSOs) received their certificates. JBPM expects about 24,000 appointments by 2030, delivered through 13 registered training providers, and has issued a tender to add providers and instructors. At Otti, our 5–8 October FSO cohort is complete and the 26–29 October intake is filling fast.
Book early, so all four of your people can train in the same intake, well before 1 April 2027.
What to do this month
- Find your Fire Certificate expiry date. It sets your timeline.
- Pick your one FSM and at least three FSOs. Check them against JBPM's eligibility criteria.
- Check your HRD Corp levy balance. FSM and FSO courses are claimable when run by an HRD Corp registered provider.
- Book all four seats together, so your OKK is complete at the same time.
Training with Otti Fire Safety Academy
Otti Fire Safety Academy is one of 13 JBPM-registered FSM and FSO training providers (No. JBPM-PLB-007) and an HRD Corp registered training provider. Classroom days run at UTM Kuala Lumpur, and participants stay on campus at UTM KL Residence, included in the fee. The final day is practical training at a Bomba training facility.
| Course | Duration | Fee per participant | 2026 intakes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fire Safety Manager (FSM) | 5 days | RM4,299 | 2–6 November |
| Fire Safety Officer (FSO) | 4 days | RM3,799 | 26–29 October; 16–19 November; 14–17 December |
We prepare your HRD Corp claim documents and walk your HR team through submission. See all dates and fees or WhatsApp us at 011-1057 1238.
Frequently asked questions
Is 1 April 2027 the deadline for every building?
How many FSMs and FSOs does one building need?
Which law requires this?
How long are the courses?
How long does FSM or FSO certification last?
How many registered training providers are there?
Sources
- Bernama: Over 9,000 Building Owners Required To Appoint FSMs, FSOs From April 1, 2027 (6 Oct 2026)
- Malay Mail: Nearly 9,500 buildings across Malaysia must appoint fire safety managers from April 2027 (6 Oct 2026)
- Berita RTM: Pemilik bangunan diwajibkan lantik FSM, FSO mulai 1 April 2027 (6 Oct 2026)
- Malay Mail: Sarawak to adopt new fire safety compliance framework (5 Aug 2025)
- Fire Services Act 1988 (Act 341), Laws of Malaysia, Attorney General's Chambers