A Guide To Bomba Support Letters For License Applications

A Fire Department letter of support, commonly known as a ‘surat sokongan BOMBA’, acknowledges a premise meets safety standards as set out in the Fire Services Act 1988.

It is one of the most common supporting documents for a composite license application.

Luckily, obtaining this letter is quite straightforward, and our guide explains how business owners can do it themselves–or ask us to help 🙂

Let’s begin.

Steps in the application process

While it may be slightly different depending on location, the same five main steps apply:

1. Prepare supporting documents
2. Send formal letter to local Fire Department
3. Submit to an initial inspection
4. Make premise amendments, and
5. Pass follow up inspection

Step 1: Prepare supporting documents

Typically required documents include:

• copy of owner’s MyKad / passport
• business registration documents
• tenancy agreement / deed
• interior and exterior premise photos
• floor plan
• details of any existing fire safety equipment

Don’t worry if you don’t have any equipment yet as you will be told what to get during the inspection.

Step 2: Send formal letter to local Fire Department

Some have their own templates you can use, like this one from Majlis Perbandaran Ampang Jaya:

Others don’t, and you’ll need to draft your own formal letter like this applicant from Bangi who falls under Majlis Perbandaran Kajang jurisdiction:

Find out which one your Local Authority practices and send a letter to your Fire Department, attaching all supporting documents and requesting an inspection.

Steps 3- 5: Initial inspection, amendment, and follow up

Members of your Fire Department will visit your premises to inspect it for compliance with safety standards.

You will be informed of required amendments and given a certain length of time to make changes and inform the department, after which they will conduct a follow-up inspection.

IF there are no more issues, the Fire Department will issue a letter of support, which will look like this:

You are now one step closer to proceeding with your composite license application!

Potentially exempted premises 

The Fire & Rescue Department portal currently says you do not need their support letter If you will operate in one of four types of premises,:

• premises identified as ‘designated premises’ with valid Fire Department certification
• single-storey restaurants or shops with total floor area not exceeding 750 square metres
• shops under the Fifth Schedule of the Uniform Building By-Laws (UKBS) 1984 that:
  • operate on the ground floor (lower level), and
  • have a total floor area not exceeding 750 square metres
• offices operating from the ground floor (lower level) up to the 4th floor with:
  • a total floor area not exceeding 1,000 square metres, and 
  • a height not exceeding 12 metres from ground to highest occupied floor   

Of course, rules change and some Local Authorities are stricter than others, so always check with yours to confirm your premise is exempted under their jurisdiction. 

That’s all you need to know about Bomba support letters, but while we have your attention and just in case you didn’t know, there are other agency letters you might need!

Don’t overlook other support letters

While a Fire Department support letter is a requirement in composite license applications for many types of businesses, so are letters of support from several other agencies!

For example, F&B outlets also need a letter of support from the local Department of Health & Environment:

Other than that, many businesses operating in urban areas also need a letter of support from their local Department of City Planning:

And if you plan on renovating your premise, it will absolutely need a letter of support, this time from your local Department of Building Control.

This is not an exhaustive list and there are other letters of support out there, so if you’re unsure and would like help, you’re always welcome to get in touch with us.

Otherwise, that’s it from us, and we wish you a smooth license application!

Let MISHU help secure your Bomba support letter

Getting support letters from agencies is simple but time-consuming, and for business owners who need to deal with more pressing matters, our team can help prepare documents, get in touch with relevant agencies, and manage submissions on your behalf.