Fire safety certificates were replaced by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, which came into force in England and Wales on 1 October 2006. The Order repealed the whole of the Fire Precautions Act 1971, under which fire certificates were issued. Instead of a certificate issued by the fire authority, the responsible person for the premises must now carry out and regularly review a fire risk assessment, keep a written record and act on it. Training the people who carry out the plan, such as fire wardens, is part of that duty: see the Lift College Fire Warden Training course.
What changed in 2006
Under the old system, many premises needed a fire certificate from the fire authority. The Fire Safety Order replaced that with self-assessment: the person in control of the premises is responsible for identifying and managing fire risks. Schedule 4 of the Order lists the Fire Precautions Act 1971 as repealed in full.
What the Fire Safety Order requires
GOV.UK sets out what the responsible person must do:
- carry out a fire risk assessment of the premises and review it regularly
- keep a written record of the fire risk assessment
- tell staff or their representatives about the risks found
- put in place, and maintain, appropriate fire safety measures
- plan for an emergency
- give staff information, fire safety instruction and training
It applies to all workplaces and commercial premises, premises the public can use, and the common areas of buildings with several flats.
Is there still a fire safety certificate?
Not for the premises. No fire authority certificate is issued to show a building is compliant. What you will see instead:
- A written fire risk assessment, which the responsible person must keep.
- Service records for fire alarms, emergency lighting and extinguishers.
- Training certificates for people, such as a fire warden certificate, which show what a person was taught and when. These are evidence of training, not a licence for the building.
Where the Order applies
The Order extends to England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own fire safety rules. In England, later laws added to it, including the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 and, from 6 April 2026, the Fire Safety (Residential Evacuation Plans) (England) Regulations 2025 for many tall residential buildings.
Who enforces it
Local fire and rescue authorities. They check that fire risk assessments and fire prevention measures are appropriate, and can issue alterations, enforcement or prohibition notices. GOV.UK says you could be fined or go to prison if you do not follow fire safety regulations.
Training under the Order
The Order requires the responsible person to train staff when they start and when risks change. Lift College Fire Warden Training is 2.5 hours in 6 short modules for people nominated to help with evacuation, and Fire Safety Training is 2 hours in 5 modules for all staff. Both end with a CPD Standards Office accredited certificate the same day you pass.
Frequently asked questions
What replaced fire safety certificates?
When did fire certificates stop?
Do businesses still need a fire certificate?
What is the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005?
What are the main pieces of fire safety legislation in the UK?
Is a fire warden certificate a legal requirement?
Sources checked
- legislation.gov.uk: Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (checked 10 November 2026)
- legislation.gov.uk: Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, schedule 4 (checked 10 November 2026)
- GOV.UK: Fire safety in the workplace (checked 10 November 2026)
- GOV.UK: Fire safety in the workplace, enforcement, appeals and penalties (checked 10 November 2026)
- GOV.UK: Residential PEEPs factsheet (checked 10 November 2026)
- Lift College: Fire Warden Training (checked 10 November 2026)
- Lift College: Fire Safety Training (checked 10 November 2026)