Posted By Ken Taylor Fire certificate = Certificate issued by the Fire Authority for premises requiring certification under the Fire Precautions Act (or an old certificates under earlier legislation). Fire risk assessment = Risk assessment carried out by the employer as required by the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations. Irrespective of whether you have a fire certificate, a fire risk assessment will be required. See 'Fire Safety: An Employer's Guide' from the Stationery Office (http://www.tso.co.uk/bookshop)

Posted By Andy Hi John, Another way of looking at these two (in my opinion) is that a fire certificate will state the legal requirements and can be the bare minimum. A Fire Risk Assessment will look at the risk to property as well as persons and may suggest greater controls, similar to insurers requirements. When my Fire Officer last visited regarding a pending fire certificate he looked at a consultants fire RA and said comply with that and you will get your Fire Cert! Andy.

Posted By Ken Taylor Nick is correct - but they have been telling us this sort of thing for years but only making things more complicated! The current proposals would require fire risk assessments to be sent to the fire authority for approval. It seems to be current guidance to the fire authorities that they will ask to see fire risk assessments whenever they are called in, or otherwise attend, employers' premises.