Partition Walls and Building Permits: What Applies in Switzerland?

When a partition does not need a permit

As a rule of thumb, a non-load-bearing demountable partition placed within an existing fire compartment, touching no structural elements and not reducing escape route width, can often be installed without a building permit. As soon as a new fire compartment is created, an escape route width changes, or a change of use is triggered, a permit typically becomes necessary.

Because practice varies by canton and sometimes by municipality, we recommend a brief check with the relevant building authority before installation on every project. We are happy to support this clarification as part of our consultation, though only the authority itself can give a legally binding answer.

VKF fire safety guidelines as the shared basis

The Association of Cantonal Fire Insurers (VKF) issues the fire safety guidelines that all cantons build on. They define, among other things, which building elements need which fire resistance and how fire compartments are formed. These guidelines are the technical foundation, while actual implementation and permitting sit with cantonal and municipal authorities.

For partition systems, this generally means: requirements within a single fire compartment are modest, while requirements at the boundary between two compartments, or along escape routes, increase considerably.

EI30 and EI60 explained simply

EI30 and EI60 are fire resistance classes. The number gives the minutes during which a building element performs its function in a fire: E stands for integrity (no passage of flame or smoke), I for insulation (limited temperature rise on the far side). EI30 means 30 minutes of integrity and insulation, EI60 means 60 minutes.

Whether a partition needs to meet EI30, EI60, or no fire rating at all depends on its position within the building's fire compartment layout, not on the wall type itself. We build demountable partitions to both classes and clarify with you in advance which requirement applies at your location.

Escape routes and workplace regulations

Partitions must not narrow escape routes or alter their course without proper signage. During planning, we check whether a proposed wall crosses an escape route or affects its minimum width.

Workplace regulations also apply, for instance around daylight and outward visibility at permanent workstations. Glass partitions are often the practical solution here, since they allow room division without blocking daylight or sightlines.

Leased offices: landlord consent

Anyone converting leased space generally needs written consent from the landlord, regardless of whether an official building permit is required. The lease agreement often also specifies whether and how reinstatement must occur at move-out.

This is where a demountable partition pays off: it can be dismantled without residue at lease end or handed over to the next tenant, which typically simplifies the conversation with the landlord.

What we contribute to the clarification

We are not a substitute for legal or regulatory advice, but we support you with practical experience: flagging likely permit questions, recommending a check with the building authority when in doubt, and providing the technical fire resistance and construction details an authority needs for its assessment.