Fire Risk Assessments replaced Fire Certificates in 2006

Fire Certificates were previously issued by Hertfordshire fire and Rescue Service, but the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, which came into force in 2006, meant that Fire Risk Assessments replaced Fire Certification.

Fire Services/Brigades used to carry out inspections of certain premises and if satisfied with the fire safety precautions and procedures, would issue a Fire Certificate for the premises. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 repealed the legislation that led to Fire Certification, and replaced them with Fire Risk Assessments. The legislation also introduced specific responsibilities for other categories of person - that of Responsible Person(RP) and Competent Person(CP).

The RP can be the employer or the owner of the building in which people are employed, but this is not definitive - there may be more than one RP due to the nature of the arrangements, and if there are any queries you can contact  Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service  who can advise. The RP is normally the employer but can be another person who has control of the premises.

The Fire Risk Assessment must be a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to which employees and other relevant persons are exposed, to then identify the general fire precautions which will be required as a result of the findings of the Fire Risk Assessment. The person carrying out this Fire Risk Assessment may be the employer if they are capable of doing so, or it may be another person or organisation with specific expertise in carrying out Fire Risk Assessments. In any case the person carrying out the Fire Risk Assessment could be regarded as competent where he/she has sufficient training and experience or knowledge and other qualities to enable him/her properly carry out the assessment. 

The Communities and Local Government  offers many fire safety guides, including guidance on how to carry out a fire risk assessment.

The above will give useful information about your duties and responsibilities under the legislation. But if in any further doubt, contact Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service via the hyperlink above.