Does your premises require a Fire Certificate?

An application for a fire certificate is required under the Fire Precautions Act 1971 as amended by the Fire Safety and Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 in respect of any premises which are put to a use designated by order made by the Secretary of State under section 1 of the Act. Orders have so far been made relating to Hotels and Boarding Houses, Factories, Offices, Shops and Railway Premises.

Hotels and Boarding Houses
A fire certificate is required for any premises used as a hotel or boarding house if sleeping accommodation is provided for more than 6 persons (whether guests or staff) or there is some sleeping accommodation above the first floor or below the ground floor.
See Statutory Instrument 238: 1972

Factories, Offices, Shops and Railway Premises
An application for a fire certificate is required for any premises used as a factory, office, shop or railway premises in which:-

1. more than 20 persons are at work at any one time; or
2. more than 10 persons are at work elsewhere than on the ground floor.

Additionally a fire certificate is required if a building contains 2 or more premises of this kind and the aggregate of the persons at work in all these premises in the building exceeds 20 or the aggregate number at work elsewhere than on the ground floor in these premises exceeds 10.

A fire certificate is also required in respect of Factory premises in or under which explosive or highly flammable materials are used or stored other than those of such kind and quantity that the fire authority has determined that the issue of a fire certificate is not required.
See Statutory Instrument 1989 : No 76

If you are in any doubt as to how you stand with regards to a Fire Certificate please contact your Local Fire Authority and they will be more than happy to help.