License and Registration Certificate of Food and Beverage Establishments

1. If the equipment of an establishment is replaced due to damage, is it necessary to submit the design project and respective drawings again?

If the establishment has not made any change to the original approved / registered
 plan and the replacement of equipment is merely due to damage, it is not necessary to submit the construction plan again.    

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2. Is there any time frame requirement for the receipts of garbage collection service?

Yes. The receipts of garbage collection service are required to be within three months prior to the date of application.    

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3. What should be noted if I intend to adjust the prices during festive days and holidays?

Declaration of the price lists is not required to be made to the regulatory entity. However, if there are additional service charges, it is advisable to post a notice indicating the additional charges at a prominent place of the establishment.     

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4. If I intend to change the business hours, do I have to notify the regulatory entity?

Application is required to be made to the regulatory entity.    

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5. If the license holder is a legal person and there is a change of the name of the company (already updated its Business Registration), what should the license holder do?

For transfer to another legal person, it is necessary to apply for change of holder to the regulatory entity. In case of change of the name of the same legal person, it is only required to make an application to the regulatory entity for update of the information of the person concerned.     

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6. If there is an ongoing administrative procedure regarding violations committed by a food establishment, would it affect its license renewal?

It depends on whether the violations pose risks to public safety, environmental hygiene, disposal of wastewater, food safety and fire safety.    

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7. What are the penalties for an establishment that has obtained the license / registration certificate to alter the interior layout, private drains or grease interceptor without authorisation?

1. In
 accordance with the stipulation of Clause 3 of Article 9 of Law no. 5/2026: “In case of change of the approved or registered operation plan of the establishment, the following regulations are required to be observed:

If no construction works are involved or the construction works involved are those referred to in Clause 3 3) of Article 7 of Law no. 14/2021 that are
 exempt from issue of the license for construction works and applicable to the
 prior notification system, it is required to notify the regulatory entity of the change of operation plan in advance;

If the construction works involved
 require the license for construction works, the change of operation plan must
 be approved by the regulatory entity in advance.”

 
Violators are punishable by a fine of MOP15,000 to MOP50,000 in accordance
 with the stipulation of Article 25 2) of Law no. 5/2026.

2. If there are sufficient indications that the suspected offender has committed an offence in violation of the stipulation of Article 25 2) of Law
 no. 5/2026, and that the offence affects the normal operation of the
 establishment, the regulatory entity can order the closure of the
 establishment with seal affixed in accordance with the stipulation of Article
 21 of the same law.  

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8. What should be done when an operating establishment is infested with rodents?

The
 operators have to observe the following in order to eliminate rodents and
 prevent rodent infestation:
(1) Remove food residues and food ingredients to prevent rodents from eating them;
(2) Make sure the gap between the bottom of a door and the floor not  exceeding 6mm high to prevent rodents from entering through gaps, and install
 wire mesh to drains and drain gratings to block off rodents’access;
(3) Avoid installing suspended ceiling or partitions, as they can become hiding places of rodents;
(4) Clean up miscellaneous items and move large objects around on a regular basis.    

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9. What penalties can be imposed for unauthorised alterations to a food and beverage establishment?

1. In
 accordance with the stipulation of Clause 3 of Article 9 of Law no. 5/2026:
 “In case of change of the approved or registered operation plan of the
 establishment, the following regulations are required to be observed:

If no construction works are involved or the construction works involved
 are those referred to in Clause 3 3) of Article 7 of Law no. 14/2021 that are
 exempt from issue of the license for construction works and applicable to the
 prior notification system, it is required to notify the regulatory entity of
 the change of operation plan in advance;

If the construction works involved
 require the license for construction works, the change of operation plan must
 be approved by the regulatory entity in advance.”

 
Violators are punishable by a fine of MOP15,000 to MOP50,000 in accordance with the stipulation of Article 25 2) of Law no. 5/2026.

2. If there are sufficient indications that the suspected offender has
 committed an offence in violation of the stipulation of Article 25 2) of Law
 no. 5/2026, and that the offence affects the normal operation of the
 establishment, the regulatory entity can order the closure of the
 establishment with seal affixed in accordance with the stipulation of Article
 21 of the same law.   

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10. What are the penalties for poor operation of the system for collecting and exhausting fumes and smells?

In accordance with the stipulation of Article 25 6) of Law no. 5/2026, for violations of the stipulation of Clause 3 9) of Article 19, that is, the
 emission of cooking fumes from the cooking fume extraction system does not
 comply with the guidelines on control of cooking fumes of establishments
 published by the Environmental Protection Bureau on its website, the offender
 is punishable by a fine of MOP 10,000 to MOP 30,000.

In addition, if there are sufficient indications that the offence will pose
 risks to public hygiene or food safety, the regulatory entity can order the closure of the establishment with seal affixed in accordance with Article 21 of the same law.    

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11. What should be noted regarding grease interceptors?

Grease interceptors must be cleaned regularly to remove the grease accumulated
 inside, and the frequency of cleaning depends on the type of grease interceptor and the flow of grease. Grease interceptors must be connected to
 the internal sewerage network of the building. Wastewater without grease, such as the condensate of air-conditioners and fish tank wastewater, must not
 be connected to the grease interceptor. Shelves, work tables, cabinets, refrigerators and other fixed facilities cannot be installed above the grease interceptor.    

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12. If the holder intends to add tables and chairs, or place other facilities in the food and beverage establishment, can they be placed directly in the establishment?

1. In
 accordance with the stipulation of Clause 3 of Article 9 of Law no. 5/2026: “In case of change of the approved or registered operation plan of the
 establishment, the following regulations are required to be observed:

If no construction works are involved or the construction works involved
 are those referred to in Clause 3 3) of Article 7 of Law no. 14/2021 that are
 exempt from issue of the license for construction works and applicable to the
 prior notification system, it is required to notify the regulatory entity of
 the change of operation plan in advance;

If the construction works involved
 require the license for construction works, the change of operation plan must be approved by the regulatory entity in advance.”

 
Violators are punishable by a fine of MOP15,000 to MOP50,000 in accordance with the stipulation of Article 25 2) of Law no. 5/2026.

2. If there are sufficient indications that the suspected offender has committed an offence in violation of the stipulation of Article 25 2) of Law
 no. 5/2026, and that the offence affects the normal operation of the
 establishment, the regulatory entity can order the closure of the
 establishment with seal affixed in accordance with the stipulation of Article
 21 of the same law.    

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13. The food shop uses a soup stove that does not generate oil fumes for cooking dumplings. In this case, is it still necessary to install a range hood system?

In accordance with the stipulation of Secretary for Administration and Justice Writ of Instruction no. 13/2026, kitchens or cooking areas must be equipped with effective air renewal devices and cooking fume extraction system that
 effectively absorbs and filters cooking fumes and odours, except for cases
 that no cooking fumes are produced during the cooking process.    

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14. Which locations will not be issued the license / registration certificate of food and beverage establishments?

(1)
 Premises which are for non-commercial use (e.g. office buildings, factories,
 workshops, car parks);
(2) Units located in industrial properties (excluding those located on the
 ground floor which are intended for commercial use);
(3) Units located on the second basement floor or below;
(4) Premises intended for residential purpose, even if the duration is
 temporary;
(5) The facilities and operation of the establishments cause inconvenience
 or damage to a third party (Pay attention to the location of shops in
 shopping malls).    

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15. What kind of assistance is available in the event of encountering problems prior to the application for license?

(1)
 Requests for convening a “technical meeting” can be made by in-person visit,
 phone enquiry or in writing, and the participating entities will provide more
 detailed professional advice on complicated technical issues.
(2) Requests for convening a technical meeting can be made prior to the
 procedures or at the stage of official commencement of the procedures.    

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16. What are the fees for convening a "technical meeting"?

The
 technical meeting can be convened up to three times. The first meeting is
 free of charge, and the fee for each of the two subsequent meetings is MOP500.    

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17. What are the common situations arising from the choice of locations that may hinder the licensing process?

(1)
 The selected location still has a validlicense / registration certificate of
 food and beverage establishments;
(2) The selected location has unauthorised building works, such as canopy
 affixed to the exterior wall, unauthorised structure occupying the patio or
 other public spaces;
(3) The purpose of use of the selected location is undefined. For instance,
 the purpose of use of the building is classified as urban land.    

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18. In case of operating a takeaway snack shop, is it necessary to make an application for license / registration certificate of food and beverage establishments to IAM?

Establishments that only operate takeaway business should apply for and obtain the registration certificate of establishments of takeaway activities issued by IAM.   

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19. In case of operating a teaching kitchen, is it necessary to make an application for license / registration certificate of food and beverage establishments to IAM?

Any establishment, if the mode of operation complies with the stipulation of
 Article 2 1) of Law no. 5/2026: “Food and beverage establishment: An establishment that, regardless of the name, form and size, provides the public with the services of food and beverages to be consumed on site for direct or indirect remuneration.”, is required to obtain a license /
 registration certificate of food and beverage establishments before being open to the public. If the mode of operation of the teaching kitchen does not meet the mentioned statutory stipulation, it is not required to apply for the
 license / registration certificate of food and beverage establishments.    

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20. In case of adding a takeaway counter at the entrance to a food and beverage establishment, is resubmission of construction plan required?

1. In
 accordance with the stipulation of Clause 3 of Article 9 of Law no. 5/2026:
 “In case of change of the approved or registered operation plan of the
 establishment, the following regulations are required to be observed:

If no construction works are involved or the construction works involved
 are those referred to in Clause 3 3) of Article 7 of Law no. 14/2021 that are
 exempt from issue of the license for construction works and applicable to the
 prior notification system, it is required to notify the regulatory entity of
 the change of operation plan in advance;

If the construction works involved
 require the license for construction works, the change of operation plan must
 be approved by the regulatory entity in advance.”

 
Violators are punishable by a fine of MOP15,000 to MOP50,000 in accordance
 with the stipulation of Article 25 2) of Law no. 5/2026.

2. If there are sufficient indications that the suspected offender has
 committed an offence in violation of the stipulation of Article 25 2) of Law
 no. 5/2026, and that the offence affects the normal operation of the
 establishment, the regulatory entity can order the closure of the
 establishment with seal affixed in accordance with the stipulation of Article
 21 of the same law.    

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21. If the establishment is a food court with different stalls for sublease and each having its own kitchen, is it necessary for them to apply for the license / registration certificate of food and beverage establishments individually?

Depending
 on the operation needs of the applicant, applications can be made by
 individual stalls or by the food court as a whole.    

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22. If a food and beverage establishment has ceased operation but application for cancellation of the license / registration certificate of food and beverage establishments has not been made, what should the property owner of the shop or the new transferee do?

In accordance with the stipulation of Article 12 of Law no. 5/2026, the license
 / registration certificate can be cancelled when the establishment meets the following requirements:

Upon application by license or registration holder;

Application for renewal has not been made after the expiry of the valid period of the license or registration;

Upon application by the property owner of the location of the establishment
 and submission of evidence to the regulatory entity to prove that the license or registration holder has lost the right of occupation of the location
 concerned;

Closure of the establishment for more than 90 consecutive days during the
 valid period of the license or registration, except in any of the following
 circumstances:

Suspension of business due to change of the operation plan;

Closure of the establishment due to public health, emergency or natural disaster, or the application of additional penalty or sanctions;

The reason for suspension of business is accepted by the regulatory entity;

After the end of the extended period of the precautionary measure, the establishment still does not meet the conditions for opening to the
 public;

Death of the license or registration holder in the case that the holder is an individual, except when the successor applies for change of license or
 registration holder within 90 days from the day of death of the original
 holder;

Extinguishment of the license or registration holder in the case that the holder is a legal person.

The applicant can provide the relevant information for IAM to analyse whether the conditions for initiating the cancellation procedures of the
 license / registration certificate are met.       

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23. In "Technical Regulations on Fire Safety in Buildings and Premises", what are the requirements for the installation of automatic fire detection, warning and alarm systems?

Detectors installed in the establishments, such as heat-sensitive detectors, should be located and distributed in such a way that the distance between each point on the ceiling or roof and the nearest detector does not exceed 4.4 metres. If it is a smoke detector, the distance should be no more than 5.8 metres, and
 the inclination of the detector should be less than 20 degrees. In addition, the relevant requirements for automatic fire detection, warning and alarm
 systems should comply with the stipulations of Articles 149 to 163 of
 "Technical Regulations on Fire Safety in Buildings and Premises".    

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24. The shop that I intend to rent was originally a food establishment, but the previous tenant has not yet cancelled the license / registration certificate of food and beverage establishments since moving out. Can I apply for a new license / registration certificate of food and beverage establishments now?

No. The
 existing license / registration certificate of food and beverage
 establishments must be cancelled first, or the business operating rights can
 be transferred in the form of change of the license holder. Information about
 licensed food and beverage establishments can be enquired by visiting the
 following website: https://www.iam.gov.mo/onestop-fnb/c/onlineservice/list.    

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25. If the lease of an operating food and beverage establishment is about to expire, and its license holder intends to relocate the establishment to another location to continue the business, what are the required processing procedures?

The
 license / registration certificate of food and beverage establishments is
 issued based on the operation conditions of the designated location, premises
 and facilities of a food and beverage establishment. When the establishment
 changes its business location, it fails to meet the original designated
 conditions for issue of the license / registration certificate. Therefore,
 the license holder cannot directly "relocate" the food and beverage
 establishment. A new application for license / registration certificate of
 the establishment at the new location should be made to IAM.    

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26. Is it possible to open many different types of food establishments in a large commercial space?

They
 are eligible for application for the license / registration certificate.
 However, different establishments must be clearly separated by partitions
 without internal connections or shared spaces. Moreover, all establishments
 are required to comply with relevant laws and regulations, and fulfil the
 requirements of the competent authorities.  

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27. In general, what conditions must an establishment meet to be eligible for applying for license / registration certificate of food and beverage establishments to the Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM)?

The
 written report of property registration of the establishment or the license
 for use of the establishment issued by the Land and Urban Construction Bureau
 (DSSCU) is required to indicate that the establishment can be used for
 commercial purposes. If the purpose of use of the building where the
 establishment is located has not yet been registered (still categorised as
 urban land), the person concerned has to obtain the comments of the competent
 authorities through a pre-procedure consultation to determine whether the
 building has the basic conditions for applying for license / registration
 certificate of food and beverage establishments.
   
Moreover, in accordance with the stipulation of Secretary for
 Administration and Justice Writ of Instruction no. 13/2026, the ceiling
 height of the locations where similar establishments are to be set up should
 be at least 2.4 metres. The aforesaid minimum ceiling height can be 10
 centimetres less (i.e. 2.3 metres), provided that the establishments are
 fitted with air-conditioning equipment to ensure air renewal. Thus, the
 establishment must also meet the above-mentioned requirements. As to whether
 the establishment meets the requirements for setting up a food and beverage
 establishment finally, it also depends on whether its design project complies
 with the existing laws and regulations governing architectural construction,
 hygiene, fire prevention, environmental protection and wastewater disposal.    

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28. What should be paid attention to when opening a food and beverage establishment in a shop with an attic or a mezzanine floor?

If the
 floor-to-ceiling height of the attic or mezzanine floor is less than 2.4
 metres (reduced to 2.3 metres if there are air-conditioning devices), the
 attic or mezzanine floor cannot be used as a customer area. In addition, for
 a kitchen located in the upper or lower areas of an attic that has existed
 since the construction of the building, the clearance height should not be
 less than 2.2 metres. If the kitchen is located on the attic or mezzanine
 floor, attention should be paid to issues such as noise and thermal
 insulation.
   Furthermore, the clearance height of corridors and sanitary facilities
 should not be less than 2.2 metres. When they are located in the upper or
 lower areas of an attic that has existed since the construction of the building,
 the clearance height should not be less than 2 metres. Any area in the
 establishment with a clearance height of less than 2 metres can only be used
 for storage purposes.    

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29. Can an individual who does not hold a Macao SAR Resident Identity Card apply for license / registration certificate of food and beverage establishments?

The
 current laws and regulations do not place restrictions on the identity of
 applicants (individuals) for license / registration certificate of food and
 beverage establishments. Therefore, people from outside Macao who intend to
 open food and beverage establishments in Macao can also make an application
 to IAM.    

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30. Is it necessary for a food and beverage establishment to have both a Chinese name and a Portuguese name? Can it use a name in a foreign language?

In
 accordance with Law no. 5/2026, the name of the establishment is required to
 be made in at least one of the official languages, so the establishment must
 have at least a Chinese or Portuguese name. On this basis, the establishment
 can apply for using a name in a foreign language.    

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31. Can a food and beverage establishment be equipped with children"s play facilities?

Yes.
 However, such facilities are required to be indicated on the drawings of the
 project plan and approved by competent authorities.    

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32. Is a club that provides food and beverage services to its members required to apply for license / registration certificate of food and beverage establishments?

Any
 establishment, if the mode of operation complies with the stipulation of
 Article 2 1) of Law no. 5/2026: “Food and beverage establishment: An
 establishment that, regardless of the name, form and size, provides the
 public with the services of food and beverages to be consumed on site for
 direct or indirect remuneration.”, is required to obtain a license /
 registration certificate of food and beverage establishments before being
 open to the public.    

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33. Is it permissible to use part of a shop for operation of a food and beverage establishment and another part for other businesses?

Yes.
 However, the conditions of the food and beverage establishment are required
 to meet the requirements set forth by the regulations governing buildings and fire safety.    

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34. Can the patio area of a store be used as an outdoor customer service area?

The
 patio area is a common area of a building and is not considered as an
 integral part of the store. Thus, the patio area cannot be used as a customer
 service area.    

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35. For cleaning convenience, can I install the grease interceptor in the public place outside the store?

No. It
 is forbidden to install the grease interceptor in the public place outside
 the store. It should be installed within the area of the store.    

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36. Can a food and beverage establishment sell alcoholic beverages?

Yes.    

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37. If a food and beverage establishment only uses induction cookers for food preparation instead of open-fire cooking, does it have to comply with the requirements that the doors (e.g. kitchen doors) have to be made of solid material and of 45mm in thickness?

If a
 food and beverage establishment only uses electric cooking stoves on the
 premises, the requirements for installation of kitchen doors are relaxed.
 However, the establishment still has to comply with other provisions of fire
 safety regulations.    

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38. How does a food and beverage establishment apply for non-resident worker quota?

The application for non-resident worker quota is within the competence of the Labour Affairs Bureau. Please call 2833 6960 or visit http://www.dsal.gov.mo for more information.    

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39. Can the name of a food and beverage establishment be different from the one indicated on the Form M/1 of the Financial Services Bureau?

No. Its
 name in the application to IAM has to be the same as the one declared to the
 Financial Services Bureau.  

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40. Can two food and beverage establishments bearing the same establishment name be operated by two different license holders that are individuals or legal persons?

If the subsequent applicant can obtain a declaration signed by the person in charge
 of the existing food and beverage establishment, stating the consent to the
 subsequent applicant to use the name concerned for operating a food and
 beverage establishment, then the subsequent applicant can also use the same name to apply for operating a food and beverage establishment to IAM.    

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41. Can the name shown on the license / registration certificate of food and beverage establishments include the English name of the establishment?

No. The
 name shown on the license / registration certificate of food and beverage
 establishments can only be in the official languages, but the establishment
 can make a separate declaration of the foreign language name intended to be
 used to the regulatory entity.    

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42. What are the requirements for the kitchen, customer area, sanitary facilities, and grease interceptor of food and beverage establishments?

In accordance with the stipulation of Secretary for Administration and Justice
 Writ of Instruction no. 13/2026, the floor-to-ceiling height of the areas for customers’use must be at least 2.4 metres (A reduction of 10 centimetres is
 allowed if there are air-conditioning devices). Moreover, the number of
 sanitary facilities must comply with Table II and the specifications of the grease interceptors must comply with the stipulation of Table I, among
 others.    

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43. Will failure to declare the presence of unauthorised building works of the establishment at the time of application slow down the application procedure for the food and beverage establishment concerned?

Upon discovering the unauthorised building works in the premises of the establishment, the Land and Urban Construction Bureau will require the establishment to rectify the unauthorised alterations before allowing the
 establishment to proceed with the project completion inspection.    

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44. Under what circumstances would it be necessary for a food establishment to install a dumbwaiter?

There are no regulations in the law, and the establishments can decide based on
 their own needs.    

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45. If there is an underground parking lot beneath the establishment or the establishment has reinforced concrete flooring, how to install the grease interceptor?

Under
 general circumstances, priority should be given to the installation of underground grease interceptor. An above-ground grease interceptor can only be installed when installation of underground grease interceptor is not possible due to basement, car park or structural factors on the level beneath the ground floor shop.    

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46. I have rented a shop with a fairly high ceiling. Can I install a suspended ceiling and what are the requirements for its installation?

A suspended ceiling must be made of non-combustible materials and constructed
 in a manner that it is non-load bearing.    

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47. How much is the application procedure fee for a food and beverage establishment?

In accordance with the stipulation of Chief Executive Writ of Instruction no. 152/2026, the fee for first-time inspection and issue of license / registration certificate is MOP 6,000 with addition of 10% stamp duty, excluding charges from other departments.   

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48. When is a food and beverage establishment required to apply for a temporary operation license for electrical installations?

If the electric power of a food and beverage establishment exceeds 69 kVA, it is necessary to apply for the temporary operation license for electrical
 installations issued by the Land and Urban Construction Bureau.    

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49. If all the information and documents submitted by the applicant comply with the requirements, when can the construction works commence?

When
 applicants submit applications via the “Business & Associations
 Platform”, if they choose to apply for an immediate prior license for construction works / prior notification for construction works, the works can
 begin on the next day. However, it should be noted that only works that comply with the statutory requirements are eligible for application for
 immediate prior license for construction works / prior notification for
 construction works. (If the works are found to be non-compliant with the statutory requirements, the prior license for construction works / prior
 notification for construction works can be revoked and the works can be ordered to suspend.) If the applicants choose to issue the license for construction works / non-immediate prior notification for construction works,
 the decision will be made after review by the Land and Urban Construction Bureau within the statutory period.      

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50. What are the channels available for applicants to know about the progress of application for license / registration certificate of food and beverage establishments?

The
 applicant can enquire about the application progress in person, via phone
 call or online service. Moreover, the applicant can provide a local mobile
 phone number to IAM at the time of making the application so that IAM can
 notify the applicant of the progress and follow-up of the application via SMS.    

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51. If license holders are unable to collect the license / registration certificate in person, can they authorise another person to assist in collection on their behalf? What are the important notes for attention?

If
 license holders have an account of“Macao One Account”/“Business &
 Associations Platform”, they can download the digital license by themselves, or authorise another person to collect the license / registration certificate on their behalf by visiting the counters of the public services centres of
 IAM in person.    

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52. How can a food and beverage establishment obtain a temporary license after the project completion inspection?

In accordance with the stipulation of Article 18 of Administrative Regulation
 no. 12/2026, after completion of inspection, if the regulatory entity and the participating entities consider that, although a license cannot be issued, the opening of the establishment concerned does not affect public safety, public health and environmental protection, the regulatory entity can issue a temporary license to the applicant.     

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53. After the project completion inspection, the regulatory entity issues a temporary license according to the actual situation. What is the valid period of the temporary license?

The valid period of the temporary license is six months and it is not renewable.    

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54. Is it permissible to change the license holder of the temporary license issued after the project completion inspection?

The temporary license can be transferred in the same way as the transfer of a normal license within its valid period.    

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55. Regarding the requirements of project completion inspection, can IAM provide information on the inspection requirements of various government departments?

On
 the day of the project completion inspection, the regulatory entity and the participating entities conduct on-site verification of the establishment’s implementation and rectification of the technical comments previously issued
 by various departments, which are the requirements for acceptance of project. If the operators have complied with the technical comments issued by the regulatory entity and the participating entities, but other issues are found
 on the inspection day, the regulatory entity will make coordination. The project completion inspection is jointly completed by the regulatory entity and the participating entities, so the licensing decision has to be made depending on the actual acceptance conditions.     

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56. What are the penalties applicable to food establishments that violate the law?

I. In accordance with the stipulation of Article 25 of Law no. 5/2026, the following acts constitute administrative infractions and are punishable y fines as follows:

Violation of the stipulation of Article 4 (mandatory nature of license and
 registration):

If an establishment is open to the public after the application has been
 submitted to the regulatory entity but the license, temporary license or
 registration certificate has not yet been issued, the offender is punishable
 by a fine of MOP 20,000 to MOP 150,000 in accordance with the stipulation of Article 25 1) of the law;

If an establishment is open to the public without having submitted any application for license or registration to the regulatory entity, the maximum
 and minimum limits of the fine referred to in the preceding item shall be
 doubled.

If an establishment does not comply with the technical requirements
 referred to in Clause 1 of Article 6, or it fails to comply with the stipulation of Clause 3 of Article 9 when changing the operation plan, the offender is punishable by a fine of MOP 15,000 to MOP 50,000 in accordance with the
 stipulation of Article 25 2) of the law;

For violations of the stipulations of Clause 3 of Article 7 (changing the establishment name without approval from the regulatory entity), Article 8
 (using a reference that differs from the approved name or category of the establishment), Clause 1 of Article 11 (failure to comply with the requirement to notify the regulatory entity of the transfer of a business
 enterprise), or Article 15 (failure to comply with the requirement for prohibition to impose restrictions on entry and stay), the offender is punishable by a fine of MOP 10,000 to MOP 20,000 in accordance with Article
 25 3) of the law;

For violations of the stipulations of Article 14 (failure to comply with the requirement for displaying the original license, temporary license or registration certificate, or the digital certificate, in a prominent place of
 the establishment), or Clause 2 or Clause 3 12) of Article 19 (hygiene, food safety and maintenance of facilities), the offender is punishable by a fine of MOP 5,000 to MOP 10,000 in accordance with Article 25 4) of the law;

For violations of any stipulations of Clause 1 or Clause 3 1) to 11) of
 Article 19 (hygiene, food safety and maintenance of facilities), the offender is punishable by a fine of MOP 10,000 to MOP 30,000 in accordance with the stipulation of Article 25 6) of the law.

If there are sufficient indications that the suspected offender has committed an offence in violation of the stipulation of Article 25 1) or
 Article 25 2) of Law no. 5/2026 and the offence affects the normal operation of the establishment, or an offence in violation of the stipulation of  Article 25 6) which will pose risks to public hygiene or food safety, the
 regulatory entity can order the closure of the establishment with seal affixed in accordance with the stipulation of Article 21 of the same law.    

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57. I have run my food establishment for many years, so some of the equipment has worn out. I plan to renovate the interior of the premises, make some alterations to the partitions of the premises and replace some equipment. In this case, what are the application procedures for making these changes?

For
 establishments that have been issued the license / registration certificate,
 if they intend to change the scope of business, layout, facilities and
 equipment of the establishments, they are required to submit an application
 for change of operation plan to the regulatory entity in accordance with the
 law. Depending on the type of the alteration works concerned, the procedure is basically the same as the procedure for making a new application for
 license / registration certificate. Failure to do so is punishable by a fine of MOP 15,000 to MOP 50,000.    

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58. What is the valid period of the license / registration certificate of food and beverage establishments?

The
 license / registration certificate is valid for two years from the date of
 issue and it can be renewed every two years thereafter.    

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59. When do I have to apply for license renewal and what are the associated fees?

The
 license / registration certificate holder should apply for renewal within 90 days before the expiry of the license / registration certificate. In accordance with the stipulation of Chief Executive Writ of Instruction no. 152/2026, the fee concerned is MOP 4,000 with addition of 10% stamp duty.    

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60. If a food and beverage establishment changes the content of its price list, is it necessary to notify IAM?

It is
 not required.    

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61. What are the penalties for operating an unauthorised food and beverage establishment?

I. Violation of the stipulation of Article 4 of Law no. 5/2026 (mandatory nature of license and registration):

If an establishment is open to the public after the application has been
 submitted to the regulatory entity but the license, temporary license or
 registration certificate has not yet been issued, the offender is punishable
 by a fine of MOP 20,000 to MOP 150,000 in accordance with the stipulation of
 Article 25 1) of the law;

If an establishment is open to the public without having submitted any application for license or registration to the regulatory entity, the maximum and minimum limits of the fine referred to in the preceding item shall be
 doubled.

If there are sufficient indications that the suspected offender has committed an offence in violation of the stipulation of Article 25 1) of Law
 no. 5/2026, the regulatory entity can order the closure of the establishment
 with seal affixed in accordance with the stipulation of Article 21 of the same law.    

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62. If a food and beverage establishment changes the license holder and needs to install an advertisement / signboard outside the establishment, is it necessary for the new license holder to make a new application for the license for placement of long-term advertisements and signboards?

Yes. The new license holder is required to make a new application for the license for placement of long-term advertisements and signboards to IAM with regard
 to the advertisement / signboard in the establishment, otherwise the new
 license holder is punishable by a fine of MOP 2,000 to MOP 12,000 in
 accordance with the stipulations of Clause 1 of Article 19, Clause 1 d) of
 Article 27, and Article 31 d) of Law no. 7/89/M. In addition, in accordance with the stipulation of Clause 3 of Article 7 of Law no. 5/2026 “change of establishment name is subject to approval by the regulatory entity”and
 Article 8 of the same law“the establishments cannot use a reference that
 differs from the approved name or category”, the establishment’s business name displayed is required to be the same as the name approved for use and match the category approved for use.     

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63. I have decided to terminate the operation of my food establishment which I have been running for many years from next month. Do I have to apply for cancellation of the license / registration certificate?

Yes. The holders should fulfil their obligation to cancel the license /
 registration certificate of food and beverage establishments at their own
 initiative to avoid causing inconvenience to the future operators.     

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64. For processing services for change of license holder and change of name of establishment concurrently, do I have to submit two copies of the same documents?

No. You only have to submit the documents required for the change of license
 holder. But at the same time, you have to inform the counter staff
 responsible for processing services for the change of license holder of your
 intention to process services for the change of name of establishment.    

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65. Is it necessary to state the garbage collection time on the receipts of garbage collection service?

Yes. You can write it down in the blank space on the receipt.    

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66. If the license holder of an establishment needs to suspend the business operation temporarily for certain reasons, is it necessary for the license holder to proceed to the regulatory entity to process the formalities?

Yes. In accordance with Clause 1 4) of Article 12 of Law no. 5/2026, if the establishment is closed for more than 90 consecutive days within the valid
 period of the license or registration certificate, the regulatory entity can
 cancel the license / registration certificate of the establishment, except
 for any of the following circumstances:

Suspension of business due to change of the operation plan;

Closure of the establishment due to public health, emergency or natural disaster, or the application of additional penalty or sanctions;

The reason for suspension of business is accepted by the regulatory entity.    

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67. If customers bring their own alcoholic beverages to be consumed in a food and beverage establishment, what should the establishment pay attention to?

It should pay attention to the provisions of Law no. 6/2023 "Regime of Prevention and Control of Underage Alcohol Consumption".    

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68. If the license holder of an establishment has passed away, is it permissible to process the formalities to transfer the license / registration certificate of food and beverage establishments to his / her children?

Yes. The successor must make an application for change of license / registration
 holder to the regulatory entity within 90 days from the date of the death of the original holder, otherwise the license / registration certificate
 concerned will be cancelled in accordance with the stipulation of Clause 1 6)
 of Article 12 of Law no. 5/2026.    

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69. For restaurants and bars that have been issued the license or have applied for the license in accordance with Decree-Law no. 16/96/M before 1 July 2026, which department will regulate them after 1 July 2026?

Restaurants
 and bars that have been issued the license or have applied for the license in
 accordance with Decree-Law no. 16/96/M will be classified as “food and
 beverage establishments” from 1 July 2026. However, the Macao Government
 Tourism Office (MGTO) will remain their regulatory entity, and the issues
 related to the license (such as renewal) will continue to be processed by
 MGTO. 

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70. In the kitchen and food processing area, what should be noted so that the installed electric pest control system can achieve its efficiency?

Due to the phototaxis of insects, the electric pest control system (also known as
 insect killer lamp) should be placed in the dark areas frequented by insects. In regard to the location for installation, places near fans or air conditioner vents should be avoided.    

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71. Why should the floor of kitchens be equipped with drainage installation? What are the requirements for such installation?

As the floor of kitchens where food is prepared is prone to accumulation of
 wastewater which increases the risk of food contamination, it should be equipped with floor drains and the design of such drains should meet the
 following installation requirements so as to reduce water accumulation and
 prevent entry of pests and rodents: (1) be capable of preventing accumulation of wastewater; (2) be easy to clean and clear obstructions; (3) be installed
 with traps and connected to a proper drainage system.    

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72. In the functional areas of the sanitary facilities, what should be noted in order to meet the hygiene requirements?

(1)
 All equipment in sanitary facilities is required to be kept clean and in good
 operation conditions at all times;
(2) Tap water should be supplied;
(3) Doors should be installed with self-closing door hinge system;
(4) Sanitary facilities cannot be directly connected with any area for cooking, storage, preservation or preparation of food, and they should be
 properly installed so that they do not directly open to the areas for
 customers’ use;
(5) All sanitary facilities must be equipped with liquid soap, one-off paper towels or electric hand dryer instead, and covered garbage bins at all
 times. Each cubicle with a toilet bowl should always be equipped with toilet
 paper. Sanitary facilities for customers’ use are recommended to have
 lighting and fixed mirrors;
(6) In addition to the installation of siphon traps (also called u-shaped
 traps) in the drainage pipes of sanitary facilities, it is required to note
 the trap whether it always contains water instead of drying up;
(7) The sanitary facilities should be installed with direct or independent artificial ventilation installation for continuous air renewal;
(8) If there is no window in a sanitary facility, measures such as louvered door installed as the toilet door or supply of fresh air indoor should be
 taken, or there should be gaps along the sides of the toilet doors to allow
 air circulation in the restrooms so that there is no chance to create negative pressure due to enclosed area and increase the risk of spread of
 airborne diseases;
(9) A unisex sanitary facility should be composed of a number of small compartments with toilet bowls which are completely separated by walls up to the ceiling.    

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73. Why is the use of toilet bowls preferred in the sanitary facilities?

During toilet flushing, the bacteria in the toilet can be flushed up to 6 feet away by the airflow, polluting the surrounding environment. A toilet bowl is equipped with a toilet seat cover that can be closed when flushing to prevent the risk of bacteria/viruses in the toilet from splashing out, polluting the
 environment and user.    

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74. Why should all openings or holes of windows, doors, pipes, floor, walls and ceiling be installed with barriers with hole diameter less than 6mm (materials of stainless steel preferred)?

To prevent the infestation and breeding of rodents in the establishment and
 reduce the impact on the environmental hygiene of the establishment and the
 surroundings, it is necessary to implement the “three noes policy” which means “no entry, no food and no place to live”. As food and beverage
 establishments are prone to attracting rodents, with regard to the measure of “no entry”, barrier measures must be adopted at all access or pipes to
 eliminate the chance of entry by rodents. As rodents can enter establishments through gaps over 6 mm, it is necessary to pay attention to this when the barrier measures are set up.    

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75. What should be noted in regard to barrier materials to prevent rodents?

As
 rodents have the habits of biting, running, climbing and digging holes, the
 ideal barrier materials to prevent rodents are metals, cement and wire gauze.
 If metal boards are used on soft materials such as wood and plastic, they can
 be free from damage by rodents. Therefore, wire gauze with squares less than
 6mm should be installed at the gaps more than 6mm, or the gaps can be filled and sealed with cement or other suitable materials.     

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76. In addition to the recommendation that the fresh air inlet and the exhaust outlet should be located outdoors and at least 2.5m high above the ground, why are they not allowed to be too close to each other?

Sufficient
 fresh air, suitable temperature and humidity in the food and beverage establishments are important elements to prevent contamination of food and utensils, as well as safeguarding the health of staff and customers. Foul
 air, dust, odours, condensate water and grease are sources of pollutants to food and air, and excess accumulation of them not only damages the health of
 staff and customers, but also causes fire. Hence, the design and installation of ventilation system should be able to avoid air flowing from polluted areas to clean areas.
   
Except in accordance with the Despatch of the Secretary for Administration and Justice No. 13/2026, stipulating that indoor artificial ventilation should have a minimum flow rate of 17 cubic metres per hour per person and
 air inlet and outlet at different points in each compartment of the establishment should be installed, the fresh air inlet and exhaust outlet outside the establishment should not be too close to avoid air flowing from polluted areas to clean areas similarly.
   
Note: If the fresh air inlet and the smoke extraction outlet of the kitchen using gas equipment are too close to each other, it is prone to cause
 accumulation of excess carbon dioxide or even carbon monoxide poisoning.
 Besides, if the fresh air inlet and the exhaust outlet of restrooms are too
 close, it increases the risk of communicable diseases caused by bacteria or
 viruses via airborne transmission.    

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77. Why should the door of a sanitary facility be installed with self-closing door hinge system?

As the sanitary facility is a polluted zone in the establishment, the door of the sanitary facility should be installed with self-closing door hinge system to reduce the impact of sanitary facility on the various areas of the establishment (e.g. food production area and dining area), so as to minimise the influence on the surrounding areas of the establishment even if people  forget to close the door.    

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78. If a kitchen is located on the basement floor or on ground floor but partially below the level of public pavement, can liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) be stored and used in the kitchen?

No. It
 violates the stipulations of Clause 5 of Article 53 of Administrative Regulation no. 27/2021 and Clause 2 (2) of Article 345 of Administrative Regulation no. 39/2022.    

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79. If the connection point of the centralised gas system has been reserved in the establishment in advance, can the bottled liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) be used?

No. It is in accordance with Clause 3 of Article 53 of Administrative Regulation no.
 27/2021 “Exceptions to the provisions of the previous clause are units for non-residential purposes, located on the ground floor of buildings, which have an exclusive and independent entrance and exit with direct access to the
 public street, and do not have centralised gas system.”    

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80. How many cylinders of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) can be stored and used in an establishment (not supplying from collective supply installation)?

An establishment can store and use no more than 4 gas storage cylinders, full or empty, whose overall capacity does not exceed 120 cubic decimetres
 (equivalent to 4 cylinders each with a capacity of 13.5kg of liquefied
 petroleum gas (LPG)).    

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81. What is the quantity of fuels that can be stored and used in an establishment (not supplying from collective supply installation)?

The
 overall quantity for storage and use must not exceed 100 litres of kerosene
 or 200 litres of diesel, or 100 litres of each if both types of fuels are used; the quantity stored in each drum must not exceed 25 litres.    

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82. Why are the specific comments not provided even though the location for installation of stoves in the kitchen is indicated?

This is because the information about the energy type of the stoves is not clearly
 provided (such as electricity, fuel gas or fuel oil).    

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83. What are the important points for purchase of gas appliances?

Gas appliances should be purchased in compliance with the general and specific norms, rules and regulations applicable in Macao, as well as the standards or
 specifications of the place of product origin. For example, the Mainland and
 Hong Kong have stipulated that gas appliances must be equipped with automatic safety devices.
   
In accordance with the stipulations of Administrative Regulation no. 26/2002 “Approval of Safety Regulations Regarding Installation of Gas
 Appliances with High Power”, gas appliances should be equipped with flame
 failure device.    

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84. What are the important points for providing information about product specifications and quality certification documents for gas stoves?

Information about product specifications and quality certification documents for gas/fuel
 stoves should include the appearance, power values and safety devices of the stoves.    

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85. What are the important points for providing information about product specifications and quality certification documents for gas stoves?

The smoke exhaust pipe of a gas water heater should be connected to the outside.    

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86. What is a “high power kitchen”?

For kitchens using gas stoves whose unitary and global powers exceed 70 kW
 separately, it is necessary to comply with the stipulations of Administrative
 Regulation no. 26/2002 “Approval of Safety Regulations Regarding Installation
 of Gas Appliances with High Power”.    

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87. When should a kitchen be installed with a metal door?

In accordance with the stipulations of Administrative Regulation no. 26/2002 “Approval of Safety Regulations Regarding Installation of Gas Appliances with
 High Power”, kitchens should be installed with a metal door with automatic
 safety lock, manoeuvrable from both sides, with its resistance to smoke and
 fire for 30 minutes or more. 

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88. When should the 6 kg ABC type chemical powder portable fire extinguisher be placed in a kitchen?

In a“high power kitchen”, it is in accordance with Clause13 of Administrative
 Regulation no. 26/2002 “In the compartment in which gas appliances are
 installed, there must be at least one 6 kg ABC type chemical powder portable
 fire extinguisher.”    

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89. What information is required to be submitted for installing gas detection and alarm devices?

Information on gas detection and alarm devices should show that their specifications correspond to the gas used (natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas) and are suitable for use in industrial and commercial environments.    

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90. For a food and beverage establishment located on the ground floor, what are the requirements for fire escape routes in the “Technical Regulations on Fire Safety in Buildings and Premises”?

In an establishment, when there is no evacuation exit to choose from at any point,
 the escape distance should not exceed 30 metres; when there are evacuation exits to choose from, the escape distance should not exceed 45 metres. Please
 refer to the values contained in Table 13 of the “Technical Regulations on
 Fire Safety in Buildings and Premises”.    

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91. According to the "Technical Regulations on Fire Safety in Buildings and Premises", when a food and beverage establishment can accommodate 9 to 50 people, what are the requirements for the number of exits, the width of doors and the width of evacuation routes?

When an establishment can accommodate 9 to 50 people, at least one exit door with width of not less than 90 cm must be installed, and the width of the evacuation route within the establishment must be at least 100 cm. Please refer to the stipulations of Table 12 of Article 75 of the "Technical
 Regulations on Fire Safety in Buildings and Premises".    

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92. In "Technical Regulations on Fire Safety in Buildings and Premises", what is the representation of fire resistance rating of construction elements and materials?

The representation of fire resistance rating should comply with the stipulations of Article 29 of "Technical Regulations on Fire Safety in Buildings and Premises".    

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93. If a sprinkler system is installed in a food and beverage establishment, what are the requirements for the distance between the sprinklers?

The
 distance between sprinklers should not be less than 2 metres and should not
 be more than 4 metres. If the location of the hidden space in the suspended
 ceiling mezzanine of the establishment exceeds 80 cm, a sprinkler system should be installed in the hidden space for protection. Please refer to Article 248 of “Technical Regulations on Fire Safety in Buildings and
 Premises”.    

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94. What are the important notes for attention if a food and beverage establishment is equipped with fire hose reels?

It should be noted that within the premises, the distance from any point within the protected area to the nearest fire hose reel should not exceed 30 metres. In addition, the relevant requirements for fire hose reels should comply with
 the stipulations of Articles 223 to 229 of "Technical Regulations on Fire Safety in Buildings and Premises".  

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95. For renovations to be carried out in establishments, what are the important points for selection of finishing or ceiling materials?

For the selection of finishing or ceiling materials, please refer to the relevant stipulations about the fire reaction classification of finishes in
 "Technical Regulations on Fire Safety in Buildings and Premises"
 approved by Administrative Regulation no. 39/2022. If the material used is wood or fabric, it must be flame retardant. If other materials are used, IAM will not be able to directly determine them during on-site completion
 inspection.    

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96. What are the stipulations for kitchen exhaust ducts that use gas?

In addition to implementation in accordance with the relevant stipulations of
 Article 343 of "Technical Regulations on Fire Safety in Buildings and Premises", if the ducts are in other areas of the premises, such as the dining area with openings or flexible connections with other equipment, the ducts must be equipped with building components (fire valves) that separate the kitchen from the rest of the premises in the event of a fire.    

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97. What are the requirements if an establishment is equipped with an electric lock door?

It can automatically unlock after receiving fire signals and when normal power is interrupted, and there is an emergency switch (green Break Glass) beside the door to open the electric lock when a fire occurs.    

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