Fire Precautions Act 1971 (c. 40)

E+W+S

Fire Precautions Act 1971

1971 CHAPTER 40

An Act to make further provision for the protection of persons from fire risks; and
for purposes connected therewith.

[27th May 1971]

Annotations:

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1Act restricted by
Safety of Sports Grounds Act 1975 (c. 52), s. 9(1)(d)

C2Act excluded by Fire Safety and
Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 (c. 27, SIF 50),
ss. 26(1),
33(1)(b),
50(2)

C3Act extended by Fire Safety and
Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 (c. 27, SIF 50),
ss. 49,
50(2), Sch. 5 para. 2

Act extended (6.5.1999) by
S.I. 1999/677, art. 5(1)

Premises for which fire certificates are required

1 Uses of premises for which fire certificate is compulsory. E+W+S

(1)A certificate issued under this Act by the fire authority (in this Act referred
to as a “fire certificate”) shall, subject to any exemption conferred by or under
this Act, be required in respect of any premises which are put to a use for the
time being designated under this section (in this Act referred to as a “designated
use”).

(2)For the purposes of this section the Secretary of State may by order designate
particular uses of premises, but shall not so designate any particular use unless
it falls within at least one of the following classes of use, that is to say—

(a)use as, or for any purpose involving the provision of, sleeping accommodation;

(b)use as, or as part of, an institution providing treatment or care;

(c)use for purposes of entertainment, recreation or instruction or for purposes of
any club, society or association;

(d)use for purposes of teaching, training or research;

(e)use for any purpose involving access to the premises by members of the public,
whether on payment or otherwise.

[F1(f)use as a place of work.]

(3)An order under this section may provide that a fire certificate shall not by virtue
of this section be required for premises of any description specified in the order,
notwithstanding that they are or form part of premises which are put to a designated
use.

[F2(3A)An order under this section may, as respects any
designated use, specify descriptions of premises which qualify for exemption by
a fire authority under section 5A of this Act from the requirement for a fire certificate
in respect of premises which are put to that use.]

(4)For the purposes of any provision made in an order under this section by virtue
of subsection (3) [F3or
(3A)] above a description of premises may be framed by reference to the purpose
for which premises are used or the frequency of their use for any purpose [F3or
their situation, construction or arrangement] or by reference to any other circumstances
whatsoever; and different provision may be made in pursuance of [F4subsection
(3) or (3A) above] in relation to different designated uses.

(5)An order under this section may include such supplementary and incidental provisions
as appear to the Secretary of State to be necessary or expedient for the purposes
of the order.

(6)An order under this section may be varied or revoked by a subsequent order thereunder.

(7)The power to make orders under this section shall be exercisable by statutory
instrument, which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of
either House of Parliament.

(8)Without prejudice to any exemption conferred by or under this Act, where premises
consisting of a part of a building are put to a designated use, any other part of
the building which is occupied together with those premises in connection with that
use of them shall for the purposes of this Act be treated as forming part of the
premises put to that use.

Annotations:

Amendments (Textual)

F1 S. 1(2)(f) inserted by Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
(c. 37, SIF 43:3), s. 78(1)(2)

F2 S. 1(3A) inserted by Fire Safety and
Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 (c. 27, SIF 50), ss. 1(2)(a),
50(2)

F3Words inserted by Fire Safety and
Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 (c. 27, SIF 50), ss. 1(2)(b),
50(2)

F4Words substituted by Fire Safety and
Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 (c. 27, SIF 50), ss. 1(2)(b),
50(2)

2 Premises exempt from s. 1. E+W+S

No fire certificate shall by virtue of section 1 of this Act be required in respect
of premises . . . F5
consisting of or comprised in a house which is occupied as a single private dwelling.

Annotations:

Amendments (Textual)

F5Words repealed by Fire Safety and
Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 (c. 27, SIF 50),
ss. 13(a),
49(1), Sch. 4

3 Power of fire authority to make fire certificate compulsory for use of certain
premises as a dwelling. E+W+S

(1)This section applies to any premises not for the time being excluded by subsection
(2) below which have been, are being or are to be used as a dwelling if—

(a)the premises consist of or comprise a room which has been, is being or is to be
used as living accommodation and which—

(i)is below the ground floor of the building which constitutes or comprises the premises;
or

(ii)is two or more floors above the ground floor of that building; or

(iii)is a room of which the floor is six metres or more above the surface of the
ground on any side of that building; or

(b)explosive or highly flammable materials of any prescribed kind have been, are
being or are to be kept anywhere under, in or on the building which constitutes
or comprises the premises in a quantity or aggregate quantity greater than the quantity
prescribed for the purposes of this paragraph as the maximum in relation to materials
of that kind.

(2)This section does not apply to—

(a)any premises consisting of or comprised in a house which is occupied as a single
private dwelling; or

(b)any premises consisting of or comprised in a house which is occupied by persons
who do not form a single household.

(3)If in the case of any premises it appears to the fire authority that they are
premises to which this section applies, the authority may serve a notice under this
section relating to those premises on either—

(a)the occupier of the premises; or

(b)the owner of the premises; or

(c)a person (whether the occupier or owner of the premises or not) having the overall
management of the building constituting or comprising the premises.

(4)A notice under this section shall be in the prescribed form and shall—

(a)specify the premises to which it relates; and

(b)give particulars of the facts by reason of which it appears to the fire authority
that this section applies to the premises; and

(c)specify one of the positions mentioned in subsection (3) above and state that
the person on whom the notice is served is being served with it as the occupier
of that position; and

(d)indicate that on the coming into force of the notice a fire certificate will,
in the circumstances mentioned in subsection (6) below, be required in respect of
the premises to which the notice relates; and

(e)state the right of appeal against the notice conferred by section 4 of this Act
and the time within which such an appeal may be brought.

(5)Before a fire authority serve a notice under this section relating to any premises,
they shall, if they are not the local authority for the area in which the premises
are situated, consult that local authority.

(6)A fire certificate shall be required in respect of any premises which, while this
section applies to them and there is in force a notice under this section relating
to them, are used as a dwelling.

(7)Where, in the case of any premises, there is in force a notice under this section
relating to them and it appears to the fire authority that the notified person has
ceased to occupy the specified position, they may serve a fresh notice under this
section in respect of the premises; and on the coming into force of a notice served
by virtue of this subsection, the previous notice relating to the premises shall
cease to have effect.

(8)In this Act—

(a)“the notified person”, in relation to any premises in respect of which a notice
under this section is in force, means the person on whom that notice was served;
and

(b)“the specified position”, in relation to a notice served under this section, means
the position specified in the notice in pursuance of subsection (4)(c) above.

4 Right of appeal against, and coming into force of, notices under s. 3. E+W+S

(1)Where a notice under section 3 of this Act is served in respect of any premises,
the person on whom it is served may within twenty-one days from the service of the
notice appeal to the court on either or both of the following grounds, that is to
say—

(a)that the premises to which the notice relates are not premises to which section
3 applies; or

(b)that he does not occupy the specified position.

(2)On an appeal under this section the court, if satisfied as to either of the grounds
mentioned in subsection (1) above, shall by order cancel the notice, but shall otherwise
by order confirm it.

(3)A notice served under section 3 of this Act shall come into force only if it does
so by virtue of subsection (4) below.

(4)A notice served under section 3 of this Act shall, unless previously withdrawn
by the fire authority, come into force—

(a)where no appeal under this section is brought against it within the time mentioned
in subsection (1) above, at the end of twenty-one days from the expiration of that
time;

(b)where such an appeal is so brought but is withdrawn or dismissed for want of prosecution,
at the end of twenty-one days from the date of withdrawal or dismissal of the appeal;

(c)where such an appeal is so brought, is not withdrawn or dismissed as aforesaid,
and is finally determined by the confirmation of the notice, at the end of twenty-one
days from the date of the final determination of the appeal.

Fire certificates

5 Application for, and issue of, fire certificate. E+W+S

(1)An application for a fire certificate with respect to any premises must be made
to the fire authority in the prescribed form and—

(a)must specify the particular use or uses of the premises which it is desired to
have covered by the certificate; and

(b)must give such information as may be prescribed about the premises and any prescribed
matter connected with them; and

(c)if the premises consist of part of a building, must, in so far as it is available
to the applicant, give such information as may be prescribed about the rest of the
building and any prescribed matter connected with it.

(2)On receipt of an application for a fire certificate with respect to any premises
the fire authority [F6shall
notify the applicant of his duties under subsection (2A) below and] may require
the applicant within such time as they may specify—

(a)to furnish them with such plans of the premises as they may specify; and

(b)if the premises consist of part of a building, to furnish them, in so far as it
is possible for him to do so, with such plans of such other part or parts of the
building as they may specify;

and if the applicant fails to furnish the required plans within that time or such
further time as the authority may allow, the application shall be deemed to have
been withdrawn at the end of that time or further time, as the case may be.

[F7(2A)Where an application is made for a fire certificate
with respect to any premises it is the duty of the occupier to secure that, when
the application is made and pending its disposal—

(a)the means of escape in case of fire with which the premises are provided can be
safely and effectively used at all material times;

(b)the means for fighting fire with which the premises are provided are maintained
in efficient working order; and

(c)any person employed to work in the premises receives instruction or training in
what to do in case of fire.]

(3)Where an application for a fire certificate with respect to any premises has been
duly made and all such plans (if any) as are required to be furnished under subsection
(2) above in connection with it have been duly furnished, it shall be the duty of
the fire authority [F8to
consider whether or not, in the case of premises which qualify for exemption under
section 5A of this Act, to grant exemption and, if they do not grant it, it shall
be their duty] to cause to be carried out an inspection of the relevant building
(including any part of it which consists of premises to which any exemption conferred
by or under this Act applies), and if the fire authority are satisfied as regards
any use of the premises which is specified in the application that—

(a)the means of escape in case of fire with which the premises are provided; and

(b)the means (other than means for fighting fire) with which the relevant building
is provided for securing that the means of escape with which the premises are provided
can be safely and effectively used at all material times; and

(c)the means for fighting fire (whether in the premises or affecting the means of
escape) with which the relevant building is provided [F9.
. .]; and

(d)the means with which the relevant building is provided for giving to persons in
the premises warning in case of fire,

are such as may reasonably be required in the circumstances of the case in connection
with that use of the premises, the authority shall issue a certificate covering
that use.

(4)Where the fire authority, after causing to be carried out under subsection (3)
above an inspection of the relevant building, are, as regards any use of the premises
specified in the application, not satisfied that the means mentioned in that subsection
are such as may reasonably be required in the circumstances of the case in connection
with that use, they shall by notice served on the applicant—

(a)inform him of that fact and of the steps which would have to be taken (whether
by way of making alterations to any part of the relevant building or of otherwise
providing that building or, as the case may be, the premises with any of those means)
to satisfy them as aforesaid as regards that use; and

(b)notify him that they will not issue a fire certificate covering that use unless
those steps are taken (whether by the applicant or otherwise) within a specified
time;

and if at the end of that time or such further time as may be allowed by the authority
or by any order made by a court on, or in proceedings arising out of, an appeal
under section 9 of this Act against the notice, a certificate covering that use
has not been issued, it shall be deemed to have been refused.

[F10(5)In this Act, “escape”, in relation to premises,
means escape from them to some place of safety beyond the building which constitutes
or comprises the premises and any area enclosed by it or enclosed with it; and according,
for the purposes of any provision of this Act relating to means of escape, consideration
may be given to, and conditions or requirements imposed as respects, any place or
thing by means of which a person escapes from premises to a place of safety.]

Annotations:

Amendments (Textual)

F6Words inserted by Fire Safety and
Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 (c. 27, SIF 50),
s. 8(2)(a)

F7 S. 5(2A) inserted by Fire Safety and
Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 (c. 27, SIF 50),
s. 8(2)(b)

F8Words inserted by Fire Safety and
Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 (c. 27, SIF 50),
ss. 1(3),
50(2)

F9Words in s. 5(3)(c) repealed (1.8.1993) by Fire Safety and
Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 (c. 27, SIF 50),
ss. 15,
49(1), Sch. 4;
S.I. 1993/1411, art. 2,
Sch. Appendix

F10 S. 5(5) added by Fire Safety and
Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 (c. 27, SIF 50),
s. 4(2)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C4S. 5 amended by Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (c. 37),
Sch. 8 para. 3

C5S. 5: Functions of local authority not to be responsibility of an
executive of the authority (E.) (16.11.2000) by virtue of S.I. 2000/2853,
reg. 2(1), Sch. 1 Table B28

[F115A
Powers for fire authority to grant exemption in particular cases. E+W+S

(1)A fire authority may, if they think fit as regards any premises which appear to
them to be premises qualifying for exemption under this section as respects any
particular use, grant exemption from the requirement to have a fire certificate
covering that use.

(2)Exemption under this section for any premises as respects any use of them may
be granted by the fire authority, with or without the making of an application for
the purpose,—

(a)on the making of an application for a fire certificate with respect to the premises
covering that use; or

(b)at any time during the currency of a fire certificate with respect to the premises
which covers that use.

(3)In deciding whether or not to grant exemption under this section for any premises
the fire authority shall have regard to all the circumstances of the case and in
particular to the degree of seriousness of the risk in case of fire to persons in
the premises.

(4)For the purpose of making that decision the fire authority may—

(a)require the applicant or, as the case may be, the occupier of the premises to
give such information as they require about the premises and any matter connected
with them; and

(b)cause to be carried out an inspection of the relevant building.

(5)The fire authority shall not grant exemption under this section for any premises
without causing an inspection to be carried out under subsection (4) above unless
they have caused the premises to be inspected (under that or any other power) within
the preceding twelve months.

(6)The effect of the grant of exemption under this section as respects any particular
use of premises is that, during the currency of the exemption, no fire certificate
in respect of the premises is required to cover that use and accordingly—

(a)where the grant is made on an application for a fire certificate, the grant disposes
of the application or of so much of it as relates to that use; and

(b)where the grant is made during the currency of a fire certificate, the certificate
shall wholly or as respects that use cease to have effect.

(7)On granting an exemption under this section, the fire authority shall, by notice
to the applicant for the fire certificate or the occupier of the premises, as the
case may be, inform him that they have granted exemption as respects the particular
use or uses of the premises specified in the notice and of the effect of the grant.

(8)A notice of the grant of exemption for any premises as respects a particular use
of them may include a statement specifying the greatest number of persons of a description
specified in the statement for the purposes of that use who, in the opinion of the
fire authority, can safely be in the premises at any one time.

(9)Where a notice of the grant of exemption for any premises includes a statement
under subsection (8) above, the fire authority may, by notice served on the occupier
of the premises, direct that, as from a date specified in the notice, the statement—

(a)is cancelled; or

(b)is to have effect as varied by the notice;

and, on such a variation the statement shall be treated, so long as the variation
remains in force, as if the variation were specified in it.]

Annotations:

Amendments (Textual)

F11 Ss. 5A and 5B inserted by Fire Safety and
Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 (c. 27, SIF 50),
s. 1(4),
50(2)

[F125B
Withdrawal of exemptions under s. 5A. E+W+S

(1)A fire authority who have granted an exemption under section 5A of this Act from
the requirement to have a fire certificate covering any particular use of premises
may, if they think fit, at any time, withdraw the exemption in accordance with subsections
(2) to (4) below.

(2)In deciding whether or not to withdraw an exemption they have granted the fire
authority shall have regard to all the circumstances of the case and in particular
to the degree of seriousness of the risk in case of fire to persons in the premises.

(3)The fire authority may withdraw an exemption they have granted as respects any
particular use of premises without exercising any of the powers of inspection or
inquiry conferred by section 19 of this Act but they shall not withdraw the exemption
without first giving notice to the occupier of the premises that they propose to
withdraw it and the reasons for the proposal and giving him an opportunity of making
representations on the matter.

(4)An exemption shall be withdrawn by serving a notice on the occupier of the premises
to which the exemption relates stating that the exemption will cease to have effect
as respects the particular use or uses of the premises specified in the notice on
such date as is so specified, being a date not earlier than the end of the period
of fourteen days beginning with the date on which service of the notice is effected.

(5)If premises cease to qualify for exemption under section 5A of this Act a fire
authority who have granted an exemption under that section shall notify the occupier
of the premises of the fact and date of the cessation of the exemption.]

Annotations:

Amendments (Textual)

F12 Ss. 5A and 5B inserted by Fire Safety and
Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 (c. 27, SIF 50),
s. 1(4),
50(2)

6 Contents of fire certificate. E+W+S

(1)Every fire certificate issued with respect to any premises shall specify—

(a)the particular use or uses of the premises which the certificate covers; and

(b)the means of escape in case of fire with which the premises are provided; and

(c)the means (other than means for fighting fire) with which the relevant building
is provided for securing that the means of escape with which the premises are provided
can be safely and effectively used at all material times; and

(d)the type, number and location of the means for fighting fire (whether in the premises
or affecting the means of escape) with which the relevant building is provided F13. . .; and

(e)the type, number and location of the means with which the relevant building is
provided for giving to persons in the premises warning in case of fire,

and may, where appropriate, do so by means of or by reference to a plan.

(2)A fire certificate issued with respect to any premises may impose such requirements
as the fire authority consider appropriate in the circumstances—

(a)for securing that the means of escape in case of fire with which the premises
are provided are properly maintained and kept free from obstruction;

(b)for securing that the means with which the relevant building is provided as mentioned
in subsection (1)(c) to (e) above are properly maintained;

(c)for securing that persons employed to work in the premises receive appropriate
instruction or training in what to do in case of fire, and that records are kept
of instruction or training given for that purpose;

(d)for limiting the number of persons who may be in the premises at any one time;
and

(e)as to other precautions to be observed in the relevant building in relation to
the risk, in case of fire, to persons in the premises.

(3)Any requirements imposed by virtue of subsection (2) above by a fire certificate
issued with respect to any premises—

(a)may, in so far as they apply to the premises, be framed either so as to apply
to the whole of the premises or so as to apply to one or more parts of them; and

(b)where the premises do not constitute the whole of the relevant building, may (where
appropriate) be framed either so as to apply to the whole of the rest of that building
or so as to apply to one or more parts of the rest of it,

and different requirements may, in either case, be imposed in relation to different
parts; and a fire certificate covering more than one use of the premises to which
it relates may by virtue of subsection (2) above impose different requirements in
relation to different uses of the premises or of any part of the premises.

(4)For the purposes of this Act a fire certificate issued with respect to any premises
shall be treated as requiring every matter specified in the certificate in accordance
with subsection (1)(b), (c), (d) or (e) above to be kept in accordance with its
specification in the certificate; and references in this Act to requirements imposed
by a fire certificate shall be construed accordingly.

(5)In so far as a requirement imposed by a fire certificate issued with respect to
any premises requires anything to be done or not to be done to or in relation to
any part of the relevant building, the person responsible for any contravention
thereof shall (subject to any provision included in the certificate in pursuance
of this subsection) be the occupier of that part; but if as regards any such requirement,
in so far as it requires anything to be done or not to be done to or in relation
to any part of the relevant building, the fire authority consider it appropriate
in the circumstances to provide that some other person or persons shall be responsible
for any contravention thereof instead of, or in addition to, the occupier of that
part, they may so provide in the certificate and, if the certificate covers more
than one use of the premises, may in pursuance of this subsection make different
provision therein in relation to different uses of the premises.

(6)Subject to subsection (7) below, a fire authority—

(a)shall not issue a fire certificate which would have the effect of making a person
responsible under or by virtue of subsection (5) above for contraventions of a requirement
imposed by the certificate, or make in a fire certificate any amendment which would
have that effect, unless (in either case) they have previously consulted the person
in question about his proposed responsibility for contraventions of the requirement;
and

(b)shall not amend a fire certificate so as to vary any requirement imposed by it,
in a case where any person already responsible under or by virtue of subsection
(5) above for contraventions of that requirement is to continue to be so responsible
when the variation takes effect, unless they have previously consulted that person
about the proposed variation;

but, without prejudice to any right of appeal conferred by section 9 of this Act,
a fire certificate shall not be invalidated by any failure of the fire authority
by whom it is issued to comply with the requirements of this subsection.

(7)Where a fire authority propose to issue a new fire certificate with respect to
any premises as an alternative to amending an existing fire certificate, and the
new certificate would have the effect of reimposing without variation a requirement
imposed by the existing certificate and of making any person who is responsible
under or by virtue of subsection (5) above for contraventions of the existing requirement
continue to be so responsible for contraventions of it as reimposed, the authority
shall not be required under subsection (6) above to consult that person by reason
only of that fact.

(8)A fire certificate issued with respect to any premises other than premises in
relation to which a notice under section 3 of this Act is in force shall be sent
to the occupier of the premises and shall be kept in the premises so long as it
is in force.

(9)A fire certificate issued with respect to any premises in relation to which a
notice under section 3 of this Act is in force shall be sent to the notified person
and, if that person is not the occupier of the premises, a copy of the certificate
shall be sent to the occupier of the premises; and so long as the certificate is
in force—

(a)the certificate shall be kept in the relevant building; and

(b)where a copy of the certificate is by this subsection required to be sent to the
occupier of the premises, the copy shall be kept in the premises.

Annotations:

Amendments (Textual)

F13Words in s. 6(1)(d) repealed (1.8.1993) by Fire Safety and
Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 (c. 27, SIF 50),
ss. 1(3), 49,
Sch. 4;
S.I. 1993/1411, art. 2, Sch.Appendix

7 Offences in relation to foregoing provisions. E+W+S

(1)Subject to subsection (3) below and section 9(3) of this Act, if any premises
are at any time put to a designated use, being premises such that, where they are
put to that use, a fire certificate is by virtue of section 1 of this Act required
in respect of them, then, if no fire certificate covering that use is at that time
in force in respect of the premises, the occupier of the premises shall be guilty
of an offence.

(2)Subject to subsection (3) below and section 9(3) of this Act, if any premises
are used as a dwelling at any time while section 3 of this Act applies to them and
a notice under that section relating to them is in force, then, if no fire certificate
covering that use is at that time in force in respect of the premises, the notified
person shall, unless he proves that at that time he no longer occupied the specified
position, be guilty of an offence.

(3)A person shall not be guilty of an offence under subsection (1) or (2) above by
reason of any premises being put to a designated use or used as a dwelling at a
time after an application for a fire certificate with respect to them covering that
use has been duly made and before the certificate is granted or refused.

[F14(3A)If, pending the disposal of an application for
a fire certificate with respect to any premises, the premises are put to a designated
use, then, if any requirement imposed by section 5(2A) of this Ac tis contravened
by reason of anything done or not done to or in relation to any part of the relevant
building, the occupier shall be guilty of an offence.]

(4)Subject to section 9(4) and (5) of this Act, if, while a fire certificate is in
force in respect of any premises, any requirement imposed thereby is contravened
by reason of anything done or not done to or in relation to any part of the relevant
building, every person who under or by virtue of section 6(5) of this Act is responsible
for that contravention shall be guilty of an offence:

Provided that a person [F15other
than the occupier of the premises] shall not be convicted of an offence under this
subsection unless it is proved that his responsibility for contraventions of the
requirement in question had been made known to him before the occurrence of the
contravention in respect of which he is charged.

(5)A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1), (2) or (4) above shall be
liable—

(a)on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding £400;

(b)on conviction on indictment, to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding
two years, or both.

[F16(5A)A person guilty of an offence under subsection
(3A) above shall be liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding level
5 on the standard scale.]

(6)In the event of a contravention of subsection (8) of section 6 of this Act in
the case of a fire certificate required by that subsection to be kept in any premises
or of a contravention of subsection (9) of that section in the case of a copy of
a fire certificate required by subsection (9)(b) of that section to be kept in any
premises, the occupier of the premises shall be guilty of an offence and liable
on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding [F17level
3 on the standard scale].

(7)If, while there is in force a notice under section 3 of this Act relating to any
premises, there occurs a contravention of subsection (9) of section 6 of this Act
in the case of a fire certificate issued with respect to those premises and required
by paragraph (a) of that subsection to be kept in the relevant building, the notified
person shall, unless he proves that at the material time he no longer occupied the
specified position, be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to
a fine not exceeding [F17level 3 on the standard
scale].

Annotations:

Amendments (Textual)

F14 S. 7(3A) inserted by Fire Safety and
Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 (c. 27, SIF 50),
s. 8(3)

F15Words inserted by Fire Safety and
Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 (c. 27, SIF 50),
s. 14

F16 S. 7(5A) inserted by Fire Safety and
Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 (c. 27, SIF 50),
s. 8(4)

F17Words substituted by virtue of (E.W.) Criminal Justice
Act 1982 (c. 48, SIF 39:1), ss. 38, 46 and (S.)

Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 (c. 21, SIF 39:1), ss. 289F,
289G

8 Change of conditions affecting adequacy of certain matters specified in fire certificate,
etc. E+W+S

(1)So long as a fire certificate is in force with respect to any premises, the fire
authority may cause any part of the relevant building to be inspected at any reasonable
time for the purpose of ascertaining whether there has been a change of conditions
by reason of which any of the matters mentioned in section 6(1)(b) to (e) of this
Act have become inadequate in relation to any use of the premises covered by the
certificate; but where a building or part of a building is used as a dwelling or
consists of premises of any other description prescribed for the purposes of this
subsection, an inspection of the building or, as the case may be, of such a part
shall not be made under this subsection as of right unless twenty-four hours’ notice
has been given to the occupier of the building or, as the case may be, of the part
in question.

For the purposes of this subsection a description of premises may be framed in any
of the ways mentioned in section 1(4) of this Act.

(2)If, while a fire certificate is in force with respect to any premises—

(a)it is proposed to make a material extension of, or material structural alteration
to, the premises; or

(b)it is proposed to make a material alteration in the internal arrangement of the
premises or in the furniture or equipment with which the premises are provided;
or

(c)the occupier of the premises proposes to begin to keep explosive or highly flammable
materials of any prescribed kind anywhere under, in or on the relevant building
in a quantity or aggregate quantity greater than the quantity prescribed for the
purposes of this paragraph as the maximum in relation to materials of that kind,

the occupier shall, before the carrying out of the proposals is begun, give notice
of the proposals to the fire authority; and if the carrying out of the proposals
is begun without such notice having been given, the occupier shall be guilty of
an offence.

(3)If, while a fire certificate is in force with respect to any premises not constituting
the whole of the relevant building, any person who as occupier of any other part
of that building is under section 6(5) of this Act responsible for contraventions
of any requirement imposed by the certificate proposes to begin to keep explosive
or highly flammable materials of any prescribed kind anywhere under, in or on that
building in a quantity or aggregate quantity greater than the quantity prescribed
for the purposes of this subsection as the maximum in relation to materials of that
kind, that person shall, before the carrying out of the proposals is begun, give
notice of the proposals to the fire authority; and if the carrying out of the proposals
is begun without such notice having been given, that person shall be guilty of an
offence.

(4)If the fire authority are satisfied, as regards any premises with respect to which
a notice under subsection (2) above has been given to them, that the carrying out
of the proposals notified would result in any of the matters mentioned in section
6(1)(b) to (e) of this Act becoming inadequate in relation to any use of the premises
covered by the relevant fire certificate, they may by notice served on the occupier
within two months from the receipt of the notice under subsection (2)—

(a)inform the occupier of the steps which would have to be taken in relation to the
relevant building (whether by way of making alterations to any part of the relevant
building or otherwise) to prevent the matters in question from becoming in their
opinion inadequate in relation to that use in the event of the proposals being carried
out; and

(b)give him such directions as the fire authority consider appropriate for securing,
as regards any of the proposals which may be specified in the directions, that that
proposal, or any stage of it which may be so specified, is not carried out until
such of those steps as may be so specified in relation to that proposal or stage
have been taken (whether by him or otherwise);

and if those steps are duly taken in connection with the carrying out of the proposals,
the fire authority shall amend the fire certificate or issue a new one.

(5)If the fire authority are satisfied (whether as a result of an inspection made
under subsection (1) above or otherwise) that, as regards any premises with respect
to which a fire certificate is in force, any of the matters mentioned in section
6(1)(b) to (e) of this Act has, in consequence of a change of conditions, become
inadequate in relation to any use of the premises covered by the certificate, they
may by notice served on the occupier—

(a)inform him of that fact and of the steps which would have to be taken in relation
to the relevant building (whether by way of making alterations to any part of the
relevant building or otherwise) to make the matter in question adequate in their
opinion in relation to that use; and

(b)notify him that if those steps are not taken (whether by him or otherwise) within
such period as may be specified in the notice, the fire certificate may be cancelled;

and if those steps are duly taken, the fire authority shall, if necessary, amend
the fire certificate or issue a new one.

(6)If the fire authority consider (whether as a result of an inspection made under
subsection (1) above or otherwise) that, as regards any premises with respect to
which a fire certificate is in force, it would, in consequence of a change of conditions
or of the coming into force of any regulations made under section 12 of this Act,
be appropriate to amend the certificate for any of the following purposes, that
is to say—

(a)to vary or revoke any requirement which the certificate imposes by virtue of section
6(2) of this Act; or

(b)to add to the requirements which the certificate so imposes; or

(c)to alter the effect of the certificate as to the person or persons responsible
under or by virtue of section 6(5) of this Act for contraventions of any requirement
imposed (whether by virtue of section 6(2) or otherwise) by the certificate,

the authority may, subject to section 6(6) of this Act, make such amendments in the
certificate as they think appropriate for that purpose or issue a new certificate
embodying those amendments.

(7)If any person contravenes a direction given to him in pursuance of subsection
(4)(b) above, he shall be guilty of an offence; and the fire authority may cancel
the fire certificate issued with respect to any premises if they are satisfied that
there has been such a contravention as aforesaid by the occupier, whether or not
proceedings are brought in respect of the contravention.

(8)A person guilty of an offence under subsection (2), (3) or (7) above shall be
liable—

(a)on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding £400;

(b)on conviction on indictment, to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding
two years, or both.

(9)Where a notice has been served under subsection (5) above in connection with any
premises and the steps mentioned in it in accordance with paragraph (a) of that
subsection are not taken within the period specified in the notice in accordance
with paragraph (b) of that subsection or such longer period as may be allowed by
the fire authority or by any order made by a court on, or in proceedings arising
out of, an appeal under section 9 of this Act against the notice, the fire authority
may cancel the fire certificate in force with respect to the premises or, if it
covers two or more uses of the premises, may either cancel it or amend it so as
to remove from those uses one or more of them (and in that case may make in it all
such amendments as they think appropriate in connection with the removal of the
use or uses in question).

(10)Where there is in force a notice under section 3 of this Act relating to any
premises, the foregoing provisions of this section shall apply to them subject to
the following modifications, that is to say—

(a)in subsection (2), the first reference to the occupier shall be read as a reference
to the occupier or the notified person, the second reference to the occupier shall
be read as a reference to the occupier or the notified person, as the case may be,
and the third reference to the occupier shall be read as a reference to the person
required by that subsection to give notice of the proposals;

(b)in subsections (4) and (7), references to the occupier shall, if the notice under
subsection (2) was given by the notified person, be read as references to that person;
and

(c)in subsection (5), references to the occupier shall be read as references to the
notified person.

(11)Where the fire authority are satisfied, as regards any premises with respect
to which a notice under subsection (2) above has been given to them, that the carrying
out of the proposals notified would not result in any of the matters mentioned in
section 6(1)(b) to (e) of this Act becoming inadequate, they shall, on production
of the fire certificate in force with respect to the premises, cause to be attached
to it a copy of the notice together with a written statement that they are so satisfied.

(12)Where in pursuance of this section the fire authority amend a fire certificate
of which by virtue of section 6(9) of this Act a copy is required to be kept in
the premises to which the certificate relates, they shall cause the copy to be similarly
amended; and where in pursuance of subsection (11) above the fire authority cause
any document to be attached to such a fire certificate, they shall cause the like
document to be attached to the copy of the certificate required to be kept in the
premises to which the certificate relates.

[F188A
Changes of conditions affecting premises for which exemption has been granted. E+W+S

(1)If, during the currency of an exemption granted under section 5A of this Act for
any premises, it is intended to carry out in relation to those premises any proposals
to which this section applies, the occupier shall, before the carrying out of the
proposals is begun, give notice of the proposals to the fire authority; and if the
carrying out of the proposals is begun without such notice having been given, the
occupier shall be guilty of an offence.

(2)This section applies to the following proposals, namely, any proposal—

(a)to make—

(i)an extension of, or structural alteration to, the premises which would affect
the means of escape from the premises; or

(ii)an alteration in the internal arrangrement of the premises, or in the furniture
or equipment with which the premises are provided, which would affect the means
of escape from the premises; or

(b)on the part of the occupier, to begin to keep explosive or highly flammable materials
of any prescribed kind anywhere under, in or on the building which constitutes or
comprises the premises in a quantity or aggregate quantity greater than the quantity
prescribed for the purposes of this paragraph as the maximum in relation to materials
of that kind; or

(c)in a case where the notice of exemption under section 5A of this Act includes
a statement under subsection (8) of that section, to make such a use of the premises
as will involve there being in the premises at any one time a greater number of
persons in relation to whom the statement applies than is specified or treated as
specified in the statement.

(3)A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) above shall be liable—

(a)on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum;

(b)on conviction on indictment, to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding
two years, or both.]

Annotations:

Amendments (Textual)

F18 S. 8A inserted by Fire Safety and
Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 (c. 27, SIF 50),
ss. 2(1),
50(2)

[F198B
Charges for issue or amendment of fire certicicates. E+W+S

(1)Where a fire authority—

(a)issue a fire certificate under section 5 of this Act, or

(b)except in a case falling within subsection (2) below, amend a fire certificate
or, as an alternative to amendment, issue a new fire certificate, under section
8 of this Act,

the applicant for the certificate or, as the case may be, the occupier of the premises
to which the amended or new certificate relates shall pay to the authority such
fee as the authority determine.

(2)No fee shall be chargeable for the amendment of a fire certificate, or issue of
a new fire certificate embodying amendments, under section 8(6) of this Act in a
case where the amendment or amendments is or are made in consequence of the coming
into force of regulations under section 12 of this Act.

(3)A fee charged by a fire authority under this section in connection with the issue
of a fire certificate or the amendment of a, or issue of a new, fire certificate
shall not exceed an amount which represents the cost to the authority of the work
reasonably done by them for the purposes of the issue of the certificate or, as
the case may be, the amendment of the certificaete, other than the cost of any inspection
of the premises.]

Annotations:

Amendments (Textual)

F19 S. 8B inserted by Fire Safety and
Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 (c. 27, SIF 50),
s. 3

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C6S. 8B excluded by Fire Safety and
Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 (c. 27, SIF 50),
s. 49, Sch. 5 para. 3

9 Right of appeal as regards matters arising out of ss. 5 to 8. E+W+S

(1)A person who is aggrieved—

(a)by anything mentioned in a notice served under section 5(4) of this Act as a step
which would have to be taken as a condition of the issue of a fire certificate with
respect to any premises, or by the period allowed by such a notice for the taking
of any steps mentioned in it; or

(b)by the refusal of the fire authority to issue a fire certificate with respect
to any premises; or

(c)by the inclusion of anything in, or the omission of anything from, a fire certificate
issued with respect to any premises by the fire authority; or

(d)by the refusal of the fire authority to cancel or to amend a fire certificate
issued with respect to any premises; or

(e)by any direction given in pursuance of section 8(4)(b) of this Act; or

(f)by anything mentioned in a notice served under section 8(5) of this Act with respect
to any premises as a step which must be taken if the fire authority are not to become
entitled to cancel the fire certificate relating to the premises, or by the period
allowed by such a notice for the taking of any steps mentioned in it; or

(g)by the amendment or cancellation in pursuance of section 8(6), (7) or (9) of this
Act of a fire certificate issued with respect to any premises,

may, within twenty-one days from the relevant date, appeal to the court; and on any
such appeal the court may make such order as it thinks fit.

(2)In this section “the relevant date” means—

(a)in relation to a person aggrieved by any such refusal, direction, cancellation
or amendment as is mentioned in subsection (1) above or by any matter mentioned
in paragraph (a) or (f) of that subsection, the date on which he was first served
by the fire authority with notice of the refusal, direction, cancellation, amendment
or matter in question;

(b)in relation to a person aggrieved by the inclusion of anything in, or the omission
of anything from, a fire certificate issued with respect to any premises, the date
on which the inclusion or omission was first made known to him;

and for the purposes of paragraph (b) above a person who is served with a fire certificate
or a copy of, or of any part of, a fire certificate shall be taken to have had what
the certificate or that part of it does and does not contain made known to him at
the time of the service on him of the certificate or copy.

(3)Where an appeal is brought under this section against the refusal of the fire
authority to issue a fire certificate with respect to any premises or the cancellation
or amendment in pursuance of section 8(7) or (9) of this Act of a fire certificate
issued with respect to any premises, a person shall not be guilty of an offence
under section 7(1) or (2) of this Act by reason of the premises in question being
put to a designated use or used as a dwelling at a time between the relevant date
and the final determination of the appeal.

(4)Where an appeal is brought under this section against the inclusion in a fire
certificate of anything which has the effect of making the certificate impose a
requirement, a person shall not be guilty of an offence under section 7(4) of this
Act by reason of a contravention of that requirement which occurs at a time between
the relevant date and the final determination of the appeal.

(5)Where an appeal is brought under this section against—

(a)the inclusion in a fire certificate, in pursuance of subsection (5) of section
6 of this Act, of a provision making any person responsible for contraventions of
any requirement imposed by the certificate; or

(b)the omission from a fire certificate of a provision which, if included in pursuance
of that subsection, would prevent any person from being, as the occupier of any
premises, responsible under that subsection for contraventions of any requirement
imposed by the certificate,

that person shall not be guilty of an offence under section 7(4) of this Act by reason
of a contravention of that requirement which occurs at a time between the relevant
date and the final determination of the appeal.

[F209A
Duty as to means of escape and for fighting fire. E+W+S

(1)All premises to which this section applies shall be provided with—

(a)such means of escape in case of fire, and

(b)such means for fighting fire,

as may reasonably be required in the circumstances of the case.

(2)The premises to which this section applies are premises which are exempt from
the requirement for a fire certificate by virtue of—

(a)a provision made in an order under section 1 of this Act by virtue of subsection
(3) of that section, or

(b)the grant of exemption by a fire authority under section 5A of this Act [F21but
this section does not apply where Part II of the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations
1997 applies].

(3)In the event of a contravention of the duty imposed by subsection (1) above the
occupier of the premises shall, except as provided in subsection (4) below, be guilty
of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on
the standard scale.

(4)A person is not guilty of an offence under this section in respect of any contravention
of the duty imposed by subsection (1) above which is the subject of an improvement
notice under section 9D of this Act.]

Annotations:

Amendments (Textual)

F20 S. 9A (inserted by Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (c.
37), s. 78(1)(4) ) substituted by Fire Safety and
Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 (c. 27, SIF 50),
s. 5

F21Words in s. 9A inserted (1.12.1997) by S.I. 1997/1840,
reg.22

[F229B
Codes of practice as to means of escape and for fighting fire. E+W+S

(1)The Secretary of State may from time to time, after consultation with such persons
or bodies of persons as appear to him requisite—

(a)prepare and issue codes of practice for the purpose of providing practical guidance
on how to comply with the duty imposed by section 9A of this Act; and

(b)revise any such code by revoking, varying, amending or adding to the provisions
of the code.

(2)A code prepared in pursuance of this section and any alterations proposed to be
made on a revision of such a code shall be laid before both Houses of Parliament,
and the Secretary of State shall not issue the code or revised code, as the case
may be, until after the end of the period of 40 days beginning with the day on which
the code or the proposed alterations were so laid.

(3)If, within the period mentioned in subsection (2) above, either House resolves
that the code be not issued or the proposed alterations be not made, as the case
may be, the Secretary of State shall not issue the code or revised code (but without
prejudice to his power under that subsection to lay further codes or proposed alterations
before Parliament).

(4)For the purposes of subsection (2) above—

(a)where the code or proposed alterations are not laid before both Houses of Parliament
on the same day, the later day shall be taken to be the day on which the code or
the proposed alterations, as the case may be, were laid before both Houses, and

(b)in reckoning any period of 40 days, no account shall be taken of any time during
which Parliament is dissolved or prorogued or during which both Houses are adjourned
for more than four days.

(5)In this Act references to a code of practice under this section are references
to such a code as it has effect for the time being, with any revisions, under this
section.]

Annotations:

Amendments (Textual)

F22 Ss. 9B and 9C inserted by Fire Safety and
Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 (c. 27, SIF 50),
ss. 6,
50(2)

[F239C
Legal effect of codes of practice. E+W+S

(1)A failure on the part of a person to observe any provision of a code of practice
under section 9B of this Act shall not of itself render him liable to any criminal
or civil proceedings.

(2)If, in any proceedings whether civil or criminal under this Act, it is alleged
that there has been a contravention on the part of any person of the duty imposed
by section 9A of this Act—

(a)a failure to observe a provision of a code of practice under section 9B of this
Act may be relied on as tending to establish liability, and

(b)compliance with such a code may be relied on as tending to negative liability.]

Annotations:

Amendments (Textual)

F23 Ss. 9B and 9C inserted by Fire Safety and
Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 (c. 27, SIF 50),
ss. 6,
50(2)

[F249D
Improvement notices. E+W+S

(1)Where a fire authority are of the opinion that the duty imposed by section 9A
of this Act has been contravened in respect of any premises to which that section
applies, they may serve on the occupier of those premises a notice (in this Act
referred to as “an improvement notice”) which—

(a)states they are of that opinion;

(b)specifies, by reference to a code of practice under section 9B of this Act if
they think fit, what steps they consider are necessary to remedy that contravention;
and

(c)requires the occupier to take steps to remedy that contravention within such period
(ending not earlier than the period within which an appeal against the improvement
notice can be brought under section 9E of this Act) as may be specified in the notice.

(2)Where an improvement notice has been served under subsection (1) above—

(a)the fire authority may withdraw that notice at any time before the end of the
period specified in the notice; and

(b)if an appeal against the improvement notice is not pending, the fire authority
may extend or further extend the period specified in the notice.

(3)Where any premises are premises to which section 9A of this Act applies and—

(a)the building which constitutes or comprises the premises is a building to which
at the time of its erection building regulations imposing requirements as to means
of escape in case of fire applied; and

(b)in connection with the erection of that building plans were, in accordance with
building regulations, deposited with a local authority,

the fire authority shall not in pursuance of subsection (1) above serve an improvement
notice requiring structural or other alterations relating to the means of escape
from the premises unless the requirements of subsection (4) below are satisfied
in relation to those premises.

(4)The requirements of this subsection are satisfied in relation to such premises
as are mentioned in subsection (3) above if—

(a)regulations are in force under section 12 of this Act applying to the premises
in relation to any use of them as respects which exemption under section 5A of this
Act has been granted, being regulations which impose requirements as to means of
escape in case of fire, and the fire authority are satisfied that alterations to
the building which constitutes or comprises the premises are necessary to bring
the premises into compliance with the regulations in respect of those requirements;
or

(b)the fire authority are satisfied that the means of escape in case of fire with
which the premises are provided are inadequate in relation to any such use of the
premises by reason of matters or circumstances of which particulars were not required
by or under the building regulations to be supplied to the local authority in connection
with the deposit of plans.

(5)In this section “structural or other alterations relating to means of escape from
the premises”, in relation to any such premises as are mentioned in this section,
means structural or other alterations directly connected with the provision of the
premises with adequate means of escape in case of fire.

(6)Subsections (3) to (5) above extend to England and Wales only.]

Annotations:

Amendments (Textual)

F24 Ss. 9D–9F inserted by Fire Safety and
Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 (c. 27, SIF 50),
ss. 7(1),
50(2)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C7S. 9D modified by
Building Act 1984 (c. 55, SIF 15), ss. 48(4), 49(8)

[F259E
Rights of appeal against improvement notices. E+W+S

(1)A person on whom an improvement notice is served may, within twenty-one days from
the date on which the improvement notice is served, appeal to the court.

(2)On an appeal under this section, the court may either cancel or affirm the notice,
and, if it affirms it, may do so either in its original form or with such modifications
as the court may in the circumstances think fit.

(3)Where an appeal is brought under this section against an improvement notice, the
bringing of the appeal shall have the effect of suspending the operation of the
notice until the appeal is finally disposed of or, if the appeal is withdrawn, until
the withdrawal of the appeal.]

Annotations:

Amendments (Textual)

F25 Ss. 9D–9F inserted by Fire Safety and
Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 (c. 27, SIF 50),
ss. 7(1),
50(2)

[F269F
Provision as to offences. E+W+S

(1)It is an offence for a person to contravene any requirement imposed by an improvement
notice.

(2)Any person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) above shall be liable—

(a)on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum;

(b)on conviction on indictment, to a fine, or imprisonment for a term not exceeding
two years, or both.]

Annotations:

Amendments (Textual)

F26 Ss. 9D–9F inserted by Fire Safety and
Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 (c. 27, SIF 50),
ss. 7(1),
50(2)

Premises involving excessive risk to persons in case of fire

[F2710
Special procedure in cases of special risk: prohibition notices. E+W+S

(1)This section applies to—

(a)any premises which are being or are proposed to be put to a use (whether designated
or not) which falls within at least one of the classes of use mentioned in section
1(2) of this Act, other than premises of the description given in section 2 of this
Act; and

(b)any premises to which section 3 of this Act for the time being applies.

(2)If as regards any premises to which this section applies the fire authority are
of the opinion that use of the premises involves or will involve a risk to persons
on the premises in case of fire so serious that use of the premises ought to be
prohibited or restricted, the authority may serve on the occupier of the premises
a notice (in this Act referred to as “a prohibition notice”).

(3)The matters relevant to the assessment by the fire authority, for the purposes
of subsection (2) above, of the risk to persons in the case of fire include anything
affecting their escape from the premises in that event.

(4)A prohibition notice shall—

(a)state that the fire authority are of the opinion referred to in subsection (2)
above;

(b)specify the matters which in their opinion give or, as the case may be, will give
rise to that risk; and

(c)direct that the use to which the prohibition notice relates is prohibited or restricted
to such extent as may be specified in the notice until the specified matters have
been remedied.

(5)A prohibition notice may include directions as to the steps which will have to
be taken to remedy the matters specified in the notice.

(6)A prohibition or restriction contained in a prohibition notice in pursuance of
subsection (4)(c) above shall take effect immediately it is served if the authority
are of the opinion, and so state in the notice, that the risk of serious personal
injury is or, as the case may be, will be imminent, and in any other case shall
take effect at the end of a period specified in the prohibition notice.

(7)Where a prohibition notice has been served under subsection (2) above the fire
authority may withdraw the notice at any time.]

Annotations:

Amendments (Textual)

F27 S. 10 substituted by Fire Safety and
Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 (c. 27, SIF 50),
ss. 9(1),
49(2), Sch. 5 para. 4

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C8Ss. 10-10B applied (1.12.1997) by S.I. 1997/1840,
reg. 12(1)

Ss. 10-10B applied (1.12.1999) by S.I. 1999/1877,
regs. 1, 17, Sch., para. 12

[F2810A
Rights of appeal against prohibition notices. E+W+S

(1)A person on whom a prohibition notice is served may, within twenty-one days from
the date on which the prohibition notice is served, appeal to the court.

(3)Where an appeal is brought under this section against a prohibition notice, the
bringing of the appeal shall not have the effect of suspending the operation of
the notice, unless, on the application of the appellant, the court so directs (and
then only from the giving of the direction).]

Annotations:

Amendments (Textual)

F28 Ss. 10A and 10B inserted by Fire Safety and
Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 (c. 27, SIF 50),
s. 9(2)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C9Ss. 10-10B applied (1.12.1997) by S.I. 1997/1840,
reg. 12(1)

Ss. 10-10B applied (1.12.1999) by S.I. 1999/1877,
regs. 1, 17, Sch., para. 12

[F2910B
Provision as to offences. E+W+S

(1)lt shall be an offence for any person to contravene any prohibition or restriction
imposed by a prohibition notice.

(2)In any proceedings for an offence under subsection (1) above where the person
charged is a person other than the person on whom the prohibition notice was served,
it shall he a defence for that person to prove that he did not know and had no reason
to believe the notice had been served.

(3)Any person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) above shall be liable—

(a)on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum;

(b)on conviction on indictment, to a fine, or imprisonment for a term not exceeding
two years, or both.]

Annotations:

Amendments (Textual)

F29 Ss. 10A and 10B inserted by Fire Safety and
Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 (c. 27, SIF 50),
s. 9(2)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C10Ss. 10-10B applied (1.12.1997) by S.I. 1997/1840,
reg. 12(1).

Ss. 10-10B applied (1.12.1999) by S.I. 1999/1877,
regs. 1, 17, Sch., para. 12

Building and other regulations about fire precautions

11. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F30 E+W+S

Annotations:

Amendments (Textual)

F30 S. 11 repealed by Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (c.
37, SIF 43:3), Sch. 10

12 Power of Secretary of State to make regulations about fire precautions. E+W+S

(1)In the case of any particular use of premises which he has power to designate
under section 1 of this Act the Secretary of State may by regulations make provision
as to the precautions which, as regards premises put to that use, or any specified
class of such premises, are to be taken or observed in relation to the risk to persons
in case of fire, but so that nothing in any regulations made under this section
shall apply to premises of [F31the
description given in] section 2 of this Act . . .
F32[F33and nothing in this section shall confer on
the Secretary of State power to make provision with respect to the taking or observance
of special precautions in connection with the carrying on of any manufacturing process.]

(2)The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision as to the precautions
which are to be taken or observed in relation to the risk to persons in case of
fire as regards premises which, while section 3 of this Act applies to them and
a notice under that section is in force in relation to them, are used as a dwelling,
or any specified class of such premises.

(3)Without prejudice to the generality of the powers conferred on the Secretary of
State by subsections (1) and (2) above, regulations made by him under this section
may in particular, as regards any premises to which they apply, impose requirements—

(a)as to the provision, maintenance and keeping free from obstruction of means of
escape in case of fire;

(b)as to the provision and maintenance of means for securing that any means of escape
can be safely and effectively used at all material times;

(c)as to the provision and maintenance of means for fighting fire and means for giving
warning in case of fire;

(d)as to the internal construction of the premises and the materials used in that
construction;

(e)for prohibiting altogether the presence or use in the premises of furniture or
equipment of any specified description, or prohibiting its presence or use unless
specified standards or conditions are complied with;

(f)for securing that persons employed to work in the premises receive appropriate
instruction or training in what to do in case of fire;

(g)for securing that, in specified circumstances, specified numbers of attendants
are stationed in specified parts of the premises; and

(h)as to the keeping of records of instruction or training given, or other things
done, in pursuance of the regulations.

(4)Regulations under this section—

(a)may impose requirements on persons other than occupiers of premises to which they
apply; and

(b)may, as regards any of their provisions, make provision as to the person or persons
who are to be responsible for any contravention thereof; and

(c)may provide that if any specified provision of the regulations is contravened,
the person or each of the persons who under the regulations is or are responsible
for the contravention shall be guilty of an offence under this section.

(5)It shall be the duty of the Secretary of State, before making any regulations
under this section, to consult with such persons or bodies of persons as appear
to him requisite.

(6)A person guilty of an offence under this section by virtue of subsection (4)(c)
above shall be liable—

(a)on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding £400;

(b)on conviction on indictment, to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding
two years, or both.

(7)While there are in force under this section any regulations applying to premises
put to a particular use, or to any specified class of such premises, a fire authority—

(a)in determining under subsection (3) of section 5 of this Act whether to issue
a fire certificate covering that use with respect to any premises to which the regulations
apply, shall proceed on the footing that, as regards any matter mentioned in paragraphs
(a) to (d) of that subsection about which provision is made in the regulations,
no more can reasonably be required in the circumstances of the case than is required
by the regulations; and

(b)shall not in any fire certificate covering that use issued with respect to any
premises to which the regulations apply impose in pursuance of section 6(2) of this
Act in relation to that use any requirement as to any matter about which provision
is made in the regulations which is more onerous than the requirements of the regulations
as to that matter.

(8)Where there are in force under this section any regulations applying to premises
put to a particular use, or to any specified class of such premises, and a fire
certificate covering that use is in force with respect to any premises to which
the regulations apply, then—

(a)so long as the requirements as to any matter which are imposed by the fire certificate
in relation to that use are complied with, no person shall be guilty of an offence
under the regulations by reason of any contravention of a requirement of the regulations
as to that matter;

(b)if as a result of an inspection made under section 8(1) of this Act it appears
to the fire authority that any of the matters mentioned in section 6(1)(b) to (e)
of this Act is not in conformity with any provision made in the regulations about
that matter, the authority shall by notice served on the occupier—

(i)inform him of that fact and of the steps which would have to be taken in relation
to the relevant building (whether by way of making alterations to any part of the
relevant building or otherwise) to bring the matter in question into conformity
with that provision; and

(ii)notify him that if those steps are not taken (whether by himself or otherwise)
within such period as may be specified in the notice, the fire certificate may be
cancelled;

and if those steps are duly taken, the fire authority shall, if necessary, amend
the fire certificate or issue a new one.

(9)Where there is in force a notice under section 3 of this Act relating to any premises,
subsection (8)(b) above shall apply to them subject to the modification that the
first reference to the occupier shall be read as a reference to the occupier or
the notified person, and the other references to the occupier shall be read as references
to the occupier or the notified person, as the case may be.

(10)Sections 8(9) and 9 of this Act shall (with the necessary modifications) have
effect in a case where a notice is served under subsection (8)(b) above with respect
to any premises as they have effect in a case where a notice is served under section
8(5); and where in pursuance of this section the fire authority amend a fire certificate
of which by virtue of section 6(9) of this Act a copy is required to be kept in
the premises to which the certificate relates, they shall cause the copy to be similarly
amended.

(11)No regulations shall after the coming into operation of this subsection be made
[F34under section 4(2)(a) of the M1Cinemaa
Act 1985]; but any regulations so made which are in force when this subsection comes
into operation shall have effect as if made under this section, and may be amended
or revoked accordingly.

(12). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F35

Annotations:

Subordinate Legislation Made

P1S. 12: for exercises of this power see Index to Government orders.

P2S. 12(1) (with SS. 12(3)(4),37(2)(3) and 40(1)) power exercised by

S.I. 1991/259.

Amendments (Textual)

F31Words substituted by Fire Safety and
Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 (c. 27, SIF 50),
s. 13(b)

F32Words repealed by Fire Safety and
Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 (c. 27, SIF 50),
ss. 13(b), 49
Sch. 4

F33Words added by Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (c. 37), s. 78(1)(5)

F34Words substituted by
Cinemas Act 1985 (c. 13, SIF 45A), s. 24(1), Sch. 2 para. 9

F35 S. 12(12) repealed by
Cinemas Act 1985 (c. 13, SIF 45A), s. 24(2), Sch. 3

Marginal Citations

M1 1985
c. 13 (45A)

13 Exercise of certain powers of fire authority in England or Wales where building
regulations as to means of escape apply. E+W

(1)Where an application is made for a fire certificate with respect to any premises
and—

(a)the relevant building is a building to which at the time of its erection building
regulations imposing requirements as to means of escape in case of fire applied;
and

(b)in connection with the erection of that building plans were, in accordance with
building regulations, deposited with a local authority,

the fire authority shall not in pursuance of section 5(4) of this Act make the issue
of a certificate conditional on the making to the building of structural or other
alterations relating to escape from the premises unless—

(i)there are in force under section 12 of this Act regulations applying to the premises
in relation to any use of the premises specified in the application, being regulations
which impose requirements as to means of escape in case of fire or means for securing
that any means of escape can be safely and effectively used at all material times,
and the fire authority are satisfied that alterations to the relevant building are
necessary to bring the premises into compliance with the regulations in respect
of those requirements; or

(ii)the fire authority are satisfied that the means of escape in case of fire with
which the premises are provided or the means of the sort mentioned in section 5(3)(b)
of this Act with which the relevant building is provided are inadequate in relation
to any use of the premises so specified by reason of matters or circumstances of
which particulars were not required by or under the building regulations to be supplied
to the local authority in connection with the deposit of plans.

(2)Where an application is made for a fire certificate with respect to any premises
in the circumstances described in subsection (1)(a) and (b) above and since the
erection of the building plans have, in accordance with building regulations, been
deposited with a local authority in connection with any proposals relating to the
building, subsection (1) above shall have effect in relation to that application
as if in paragraph (ii) the reference to the deposit of plans included a reference
to the deposit of plans in connection with those proposals.

(3)Where, while a fire certificate is in force with respect to any premises, the
fire authority receive notice under subsection (2) of section 8 of this Act of any
proposals falling within that subsection to which building regulations imposing
requirements as to means of escape in case of fire apply, and in connection with
those proposals plans have, in accordance with building regulations, been deposited
with a local authority, the fire authority shall not in pursuance of subsection
(4) of that section make the carrying out of those proposals conditional on the
making to the relevant building of structural or other alterations relating to escape
from the premises unless—

(a)there are in force under section 12 of this Act regulations applying to the premises
in relation to any use of the premises covered by the certificate, being regulations
which impose requirements such as are mentioned in subsection (1)(i) above, and
the fire authority are satisfied that the carrying out of the proposals in compliance
with the requirements of the building regulations will not of itself ensure that,
when the proposals have been carried out, the premises will comply with the regulations
under section 12 in respect of the requirements such as are mentioned in subsection
(1)(i) above which the regulations under section 12 impose; or

(b)the fire authority are satisfied that, by reason of matters or circumstances of
which particulars are not required by or under the building regulations to be supplied
to the local authority in connection with the deposit of plans, the carrying out
of the proposals in compliance with the requirements of the building regulations
will not of itself ensure that, when the proposals have been carried out, the means
of escape in case of fire with which the premises will then be provided and the
means of the sort mentioned in section 5(3)(b) of this Act with which the relevant
building will then be provided will be adequate in relation to every use of the
premises covered by the certificate.

(4)In this section “structural or other alterations relating to escape from the premises”,
in relation to any such premises as are mentioned in this section, means structural
or other alterations directly connected with the provision of the premises with
adequate means of escape in case of fire or the provision of the relevant building
with adequate means of the sort mentioned in section 5(3)(b) of this Act.

(5). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F36

(6)This section does not extend to Scotland.

Annotations:

Amendments (Textual)

F36 S. 13(5) repealed by
Building Act 1984 (c. 55, SIF 15), s. 133(2),
Sch. 7

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C11S. 13 modified by
Building Act 1984 (c. 55, SIF 15), ss. 48(2)(4),
49(8)

14 Exercise of certain powers of fire authority in Scotland where building standards
regulations as to means of escape apply. E+W+S

(1)Subject to subsection (2) below, where—

(a)building standards regulations imposing requirements as to means of escape in
case of fire apply to any building; or

(b)the sheriff, on an appeal to him under section 16 of the
M2Building (Scotland) Act 1959—

(i)against an order under section 10 of that Act requiring the execution of operations
necessary to make a building conform to a provision of building standards regulations
with respect to requirements of the means of escape in case of fire, or

(ii)against an order under section 11 of that Act requiring the building to be made
to conform to such a provision,

has varied the order by determining that such operations shall be executed as are
necessary to make the building conform to a different standard, or, as the case
may be, that the building should conform to a different standard, and the fire authority
are satisfied that the building so conforms,

then the fire authority shall not, for the purposes of section 5 [F37,
8 or (in relation to premises to which section 9A applies) 9D(1) and (2)] of this
Act, specify any alterations in respect of that building to a standard higher than
that of the said regulations or, as the case may be, than that determined by the
sheriff.

(2)The restrictions imposed on the fire authority by the foregoing subsection shall
not apply where—

(a)there are in force under section 12 of this Act regulations applying to the building
in relation to any use of the building, being regulations which impose requirements
as to means of escape from fire or means for securing that any means of escape can
be safely and effectively used at all material times, and the fire authority are
satisfied that alterations to the building are necessary to bring the building into
compliance with the regulations in respect of those requirements; or

(b)the fire authority are satisfied that the means of escape in case of fire with
which the building is provided or the means of the sort mentioned in section 5(3)(b)
of this Act with which the building is provided are inadequate in relation to any
use of the building by reason of matters or circumstances of which particulars were
not required by or under the building standards regulations.

(3)In this section “building standards regulations” has the same meaning as in the
M3Building (Scotland) Act 1959.

Annotations:

Amendments (Textual)

F37Words substituted by Fire Safety and
Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 (c. 27, SIF 50),
ss. 7(2),
50(2)

Marginal Citations

M2 1959
c. 24.

M3 1959
c. 24.

Consultation between fire and other authorities

15. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F38 E+W+S

Annotations:

Amendments (Textual)

F38 S. 15 repealed by
Building Act 1984 (c. 55, SIF 15), s. 133(2),
Sch. 7

16 Duty of local authority to consult fire authority in certain cases before passing
plans. E+W

(1)Where it is proposed to erect a building or to make any extension of or structural
alteration to a building and, in connection with the proposals, plans are, in accordance
with building regulations, deposited with a local authority, then, if it appears
to the local authority likely—

(a)that the first use to which any premises constituting or comprised in the building
or, as the case may be, the building as extended will be put after the proposals
are carried out will be a use which at the time of the deposit of the plans was
a designated use; or

(b)that the first use to which any such premises will be put after the proposals
are carried out will be use as a dwelling, and that one or more of the conditions
set out in section 3(1)(a) and (b) of this Act will then be fulfilled as regards
those premises,

the local authority, if they are not the fire authority, shall consult the fire authority
before passing the plans.

(2)Where it is proposed to change the use to which a building or part of a building
is put and, in connection with that proposal, plans are, in accordance with building
regulations, deposited with a local authority, then, if it appears to the local
authority likely—

(a)that the first use to which any premises constituting or comprised in the building
will be put after the time when that change of use occurs will be a use which at
the time of the deposit of the plans was a designated use; or

(b)that the first use to which any such premises will be put after the time when
that change of use occurs will be use as a dwelling, and that one or more of the
conditions set out in section 3(1)(a) and (b) of this Act will then be fulfilled
as regards those premises,

the local authority, if they are not the fire authority, shall consult the fire authority
before passing the plans.

(3)This section does not extend to Scotland.

Annotations:

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C12S. 16 applied (with modifications) (1.12.1997) by S.I. 1997/1840,
reg. 17(1)(2)(3)(a)

17 Duty of fire authorities to consult other authorities before requiring alterations
to buildings. E+W+S

(1)Before a fire authority—

(a)serve on the applicant for a fire certificate with respect to any premises a notice
under section 5(4) of this Act informing him that they will not issue a certificate
unless alterations are made to the relevant building; or

(b)serve in respect of any premises a notice under section 8(4) or (5) [F39,
section 9D] or section 12(8)(b) of this Act mentioning as a step which would have
to be taken [F39or, in the case of a notice
under section 9D, which must be taken] anything involving the making of alterations
to the relevant building,

the authority shall—

(i)if the premises are situated in England or Wales . . . and the fire authority
are not the local authority for the area in which the premises are situated, consult
that local authority; . . . F40

(ii)if the premises are situated in Scotland, consult the [F41local]
authority (within the meaning of . . .
F42 the M4Building
(Scotland) Act 1959) for the area in which the premises are situated, [F43and]

[F44(iii)if the premises are used as a place of work and
are within the field of responsibility of one or more enforcing authorities within
the meaning of Part I of the M5Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, consult
that authority or each of those authorities.]

(2)For the avoidance of doubt it is hereby declared that a local authority [F45buildings authority or other authority] who have in
accordance with this section been consulted by a fire authority proposing to serve
any such notice as is mentioned in subsection (1) above may be a person aggrieved
within the meaning of section 9 of this Act.

[F46(3)Section 18(7) of the M6Health
and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (meaning in Part I of that Act of “enforcing authority”
and of such an authority’s “field of responsibility”) shall apply for the purposes
of this section as it applies for the purposes of that Part.]

Annotations:

Amendments (Textual)

F39Words inserted by Fire Safety and
Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 (c. 27, SIF 50),
ss. 7(3),
50(2)

F40Word repealed by Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (c. 37), Sch. 10

F41Word substituted by Local Government (Scotland)
Act 1973 (c. 65), Sch. 15 Pt. II para. 30(a)

F42Words repealed by Local Government (Scotland)
Act 1973 (c. 65), Sch. 29

F43Word added by Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (c. 37), s. 78(1)(6)(a)

F44 S. 17(1)(iii) added by Health and
Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (c. 37), s. 78(1)(6)(a)

F45Words substituted by Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (c. 37), s.
78(1)(6)(b)

F46 S. 17(3) added by Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (c.
37), s. 78(1)(6)(c)

Marginal Citations

M4 1959
c. 24.

M5 1974
c. 37.

M6 1974
c. 37.

Enforcement

18 Enforcement of Act. E+W+S

(1)[F47Subject to subsection (2) below, it] shall be the
duty of every fire authority to enforce within their area the provisions of this
Act and of regulations made under this Act, and for that purpose to appoint inspectors
[F48and cause premises to be inspected]; but nothing
in this [F49subsection] shall be taken to authorise a fire
authority in Scotland to institute proceedings for any offence.

[F50(2)A fire authority shall have power to arrange with
the Health and Safety Commission for such of the authority’s functions under this
Act as may be specified in the arrangements to be performed on their behalf by the
Health and Safety Executive (with or without payment) in relation to any particular
premises so specified which are used as a place of work.]

[F51(3)In performing the duty imposed by subsection (1)
above so far as it requires premises in their areas to be inspected, fire authorities
shall act in accordance with such guidance as the Secretary of State may give them.]

Annotations:

Amendments (Textual)

F47Words substituted by Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (c. 37), s.
78(1)(7)(a)

F48Words inserted (prosp.) by Fire Safety and
Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 (c. 27, SIF 50),
ss. 10(a),
50(2)

F49Word substituted by Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (c. 37), s. 78(1)(7)(b)

F50 S. 18(2) added by Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (c.
37), s. 78(1)(7)(c)

F51 S. 18(3) inserted (prosp.) by Fire Safety and
Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 (c. 27, SIF 50),
ss. 10(b),
50(2)

19 Powers of inspectors. E+W+S

(1)Subject to the provisions of this section, any of the following persons (in this
section referred to as “inspectors”) namely an inspector appointed under section
18 of this Act and a fire inspector, may do anything necessary for the purpose of
carrying this Act and regulations thereunder into effect and, in particular, shall,
so far as may be necessary for that purpose, have power to do at any reasonable
time any of the following things, namely—

(a)to enter any such premises as are mentioned in subsection (2) below, and to inspect
the whole or any part thereof and anything therein;

(b)to make such inquiry as may be necessary for any of the purposes mentioned in
subsection (3) below;

(c)to require the production of, and to inspect, any fire certificate in force with
respect to any premises or any copy of any such certificate;

(d)to require any person having responsibilities in relation to any such premises
as are referred to in paragraph (a) above (whether or not the owner or occupier
of the premises or a person employed to work therein) to give him such facilities
and assistance with respect to any matters or things to which the responsibilities
of that person extend as are necessary for the purpose of enabling the inspector
to exercise any of the powers conferred on him by this subsection.

(2)The premises referred to in subsection (1)(a) above are the following, namely—

(a)any premises requiring a fire certificate or to which any regulations made under
section 12 of this Act apply;

[F52(aa)any premises in respect of which there is in force
an exemption under section 5A of this Act from the requirement for a fire certificate
with respect to them;]

(b)any premises such as are mentioned in section 10(1)(a) of this Act;

(c)any premises to which section 3 of this Act for the time being applies;

(d)any premises not falling within any of the foregoing paragraphs which form part
of a building comprising any premises so falling; and

(e)any premises which the inspector has reasonable cause to believe to be premises
falling within any of the foregoing paragraphs.

(3)The purposes referred to in subsection (1)(b) above are the following, namely—

(a)to ascertain, as regards any premises, whether they fall within any of paragraphs
(a) to (d) of subsection (2) above;

(b)to identify the owner or occupier of any premises falling within any of those
paragraphs;

(c)to ascertain whether, in the case of any premises to which section 3 of this Act
for the time being applies, any person has the overall management of the building
constituting or comprising the premises and, if so, to identify that person;

(d)to ascertain, as regards any premises falling within any of the said paragraphs
(a) to (d), whether the provisions of this Act and regulations made under section
12 thereof are complied with, and, where a fire certificate is in force in respect
of any such premises, whether the requirements imposed by the certificate are complied
with.

(4)An inspector shall, if so required when visiting any premises in the exercise
of powers conferred by this section, produce to the occupier of the premises some
duly authenticated document showing his authority.

(5)In the case of premises used as a dwelling or premises of any other description
prescribed for the purposes of this subsection, no power of entry conferred by subsection
(1) above shall be exercised as of right unless twenty-four hours’ notice has been
given to the occupier; and for the purposes of this subsection a description of
premises may be framed in any of the ways mentioned in section 1(4) of this Act.

(6)A person who—

(a)intentionally obstructs an inspector in the exercise or performance of his powers
or duties under this Act; or

(b)without reasonable excuse fails to comply with any requirement imposed by an inspector
under subsection (1)(d) above,

shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding
[F53level 3 on the standard scale].

Annotations:

Amendments (Textual)

F52 S. 19(2)(aa) inserted by Fire Safety and
Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 (c. 27, SIF 50),
ss. 2(2),
50(2)

F53Words substituted by virtue of (E.W.) Criminal Justice
Act 1982 (c. 48, SIF 39:1), ss. 38, 46 and (S.)

Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 (c. 21, SIF 39:1), ss. 289F,
289G

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C13S. 19 applied (with modifications) (1.12.1997) by S.I. 1997/1840,
reg. 17(1)(2)

20 Exercise on behalf of fire inspectors of their powers by officers of fire brigades.
E+W+S

(1)The like powers as are in relation to any premises conferred by section 19 of
this Act on a fire inspector shall be exercisable by an officer of the fire brigade
maintained by the fire authority when authorised in writing by such an inspector
for the purpose of reporting to him on any matter falling within his duties under
this Act; and subsections (4) and (6) of that section shall, with the necessary
modifications, apply accordingly.

(2)A fire inspector shall not authorise an officer of a fire brigade under this section
except with the consent of the fire authority who maintain that brigade.

Annotations:

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C14S. 20 applied (with modifications) (1.12.1997) by S.I. 1997/1840,
reg. 17(1)(2)

21 Restriction on disclosure of information. E+W+S

[F54(1)Subject to subsection (2) below,] if a person discloses
(otherwise than in the performance of his duty or for the purposes of any legal
proceedings, including an arbitration, or for the purposes of a report of any such
proceedings) any information obtained by him in any premises entered by him in the
exercise of powers conferred by this Act, he shall be guilty of an offence and liable
on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding [F55level
3 on the standard scale].

[F56(2)Nothing in subsection (1) above prohibits the disclosure
of information to an enforcing authrity within the meaniong of the M7Health
and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 in order to enable that authority to discharge
any function falling within its field of responsibility.

(3)Section 18(7) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (meaning in Part
I of that Act of “enforcing authority” and of such an authority’s “field of responsibility”)
shall apply for the purposes of this section as it applies for the purposes of that
Part.]

Annotations:

Amendments (Textual)

F54Words inserted by Fire Safety and
Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 (c. 27, SIF 50),
s. 11(a)

F55Words substituted by virtue of (E.W.) Criminal Justice
Act 1982 (c. 48, SIF 39:1), ss. 38, 46 and (S.)

Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 (c. 21, SIF 39:1), ss. 289F,
289G

F56 S. 21(2)(3) inserted by Fire Safety and
Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 (c. 27, SIF 50),
s. 11(b)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C15S. 21 applied (with modifications) (1.12.1997) by S.I. 1997/1840,
reg. 17(1)(2)

Marginal Citations

M7 1974
c. 37 (43:3)

Offences, penalties and legal proceedings

22 Falsification of documents, false statements etc. E+W+S

(1)If a person—

(a)with intent to deceive, [F57forges
a fire certificate or] makes or has in his possession a document so closely resembling
a fire certificate as to be calculated to deceive; or

(b)for the purpose of procuring the issue of a fire certificate, makes any statement
or gives any information which he knows to be false in a material particular or
recklessly makes any statement or gives any information which is so false; or

(c)in purported compliance with any obligation to give information to which he is
subject under or by virtue of this Act, or in response to any inquiry made by virtue
of section 19(1)(b) of this Act, gives any information which he knows to be false
in a material particular or recklessly gives any information which is so false;
or

(d)makes in any register, book, notice or other document required by or by virtue
of regulations made under this Act to be kept, served or given, an entry which he
knows to be false in a material particular,

he shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding
[F58level 5 on the sandard scale].

(2)If a person with intent to deceive pretends to be—

(a)an inspector within the meaning of section 19 of this Act, or

(b)a person by whom the powers conferred by that section on a fire inspector are
exercisable by virtue of section 20 of this Act,

he shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding
£100.

[F59(3)In this section in its application to England and
Wales the expression “forges” has the same meaning as in the M8Forgery
Act 1913.]

Annotations:

Amendments (Textual)

F57Words repealed (E.W.) by Forgery and Counterfeiting
Act 1981 (c. 45, SIF 39:7), s. 30,
Sch. Pt. I

F58Words substituted by virtue of (E.W.) Criminal Justice
Act 1982 (c. 48, SIF 39:1), ss. 38, 46 and (S.)

Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 (c. 21, SIF 39:1), ss. 289F,
289G

F59 S. 22(3) repealed (E.W.) by Forgery and Counterfeiting
Act 1981 (c. 45, SIF 39:7), s. 30,
Sch. Pt. I

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C16S. 22(1) applied (with modifications) (1.12.1997) by S.I. 1997/1840,
reg. 17(1)(2)(3)(b)

Marginal Citations

M8 1913
c. 27.

23 Offences by bodies corporate. E+W+S

(1)Where an offence under this Act committed by a body corporate is proved to have
been committed with the consent or connivance of, or to be attributable to any neglect
on the part of, any director, manager, secretary or other similar officer of the
body corporate, or any person purporting to act in any such capacity, he as well
as the body corporate shall be guilty of that offence, and shall be liable to be
proceeded against and punished accordingly.

(2)Where the affairs of a body corporate are managed by its members, this section
shall apply in relation to the acts and defaults of a member in connection with
his functions of management as if he were a director of the body corporate.

Annotations:

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C17S. 23 applied (with modifications) (1.12.1997) by 1997/1840, reg.
17(1)(2)

24 Offences due to fault of other person. E+W+S

Where the commission by any person of an offence under this Act or any regulations
made thereunder is due to the act or default of some other person, that other person
shall be guilty of the offence, and a person may be charged with and convicted of
the offence by virtue of this section whether or not proceedings are taken against
the first-mentioned person.

25 Defence available to persons charged with offences. E+W+S

In any proceedings for an offence under this Act or under regulations made thereunder,
it shall be a defence for the person charged to prove that he took all reasonable
precautions and exercised all due diligence to avoid the commission of such an offence.

Annotations:

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C18S. 25 applied (with modifications) (1.12.1997) by S.I. 1997/1840,
reg. 17(1)(2)(3)(c)

26 Appeals to magistrates’ courts. E+W+S

(1)Where any provision of this Act provides for an appeal to a magistrates’ court,
the procedure shall be by way of complaint for an order, and [F60the

M9Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980] shall apply to the proceedings.

(2)For the purposes of any such provision of this Act the making of the complaint
shall be deemed to be the bringing of the appeal.

Annotations:

Amendments (Textual)

F60Words substituted by
Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 (c. 43, SIF 82), s. 154,
Sch. 7

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C19S. 26 applied (with modifications) (1.12.1997) by S.I. 1997/1840,
reg. 17(1)(2)

Marginal Citations

M9 1980
c. 43 (82)

27 Appeal from order made on complaint. E+W+S

(1)A person aggrieved by an order made by a magistrates’ court on determining a complaint
under this Act may appeal therefrom to the Crown Court; and for the avoidance of
doubt it is hereby declared that a fire authority or local authority may be a person
aggrieved within the meaning of this section.

(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F61

Annotations:

Amendments (Textual)

F61 S. 27(2) repealed by Statute Law Repeals Act 1986
(c. 12), s. 1(1),
Sch. Pt. XIII

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C20S. 27 applied (with modifications) (1.12.1997) by S.I. 1997/1840,
reg. 17(1)(2)

[F6227A
Civil and other liability. E+W+S

Except in so far as this Act otherwise expressly provides, and subject to section
18 of the M10Interpretation Act 1978 (offences under two or
more laws), the provisions of this Act shall not be construed as –

(a)conferring a right of action in any civil proceedings (other than proceedings
for the recovery of a fine) in respect of any contravention of a provision of this
Act, of any regulations thereunder or of any fire certificate or notice issued or
served thereunder by the fire authority; or

(b)affecting any requirement or restriction imposed by or under any other enactment
whether contained in a public general Act or in a local or private Act; or

(c)derogating from any right of action or other remedy (whether civil or criminal)
in proceedings instituted otherwise than under this Act.]

Annotations:

Amendments (Textual)

F62 S. 27A inserted by Fire Safety and
Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 (c. 27, SIF 50),
s. 12(1)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C21S. 27A applied (with modifications) by S.I. 1997/1840,
reg. 17(1)(2)

Marginal Citations

M10 1978
c. 30 (115:1)

28 Power of county court or sheriff, where notice under s. 3 is in force, to modify
agreements and leases and apportion expenses. E+W+S

(1)Where there is in force a notice under section 3 of this Act relating to any premises
(in this section referred to as “the relevant premises”), this section shall apply
to any premises consisting of or comprised in the relevant building.

(2)A person who, by reason of the terms and conditions of an agreement or lease relating
to any premises to which this section applies, is prevented from carrying out or
doing with respect to the premises any structural or other alterations or other
thing whose carrying out or doing is requisite—

(a)as being a step mentioned in a notice served in connection with the relevant premises
under any of the following provisions of this Act, namely sections 5(4), 8(4), 8(5)
and 12(8)(b); or

(b)in order to secure compliance with a requirement imposed by a fire certificate
issued with respect to the relevant premises; or

(c)in order to secure compliance with a provision of regulations under section 12
of this Act which is, or will become, applicable to the premises by virtue of there
being in force a notice under section 3 of this Act relating to the relevant premises,

may apply to the county court within whose jurisdiction the premises are situated,
and the court may make such an order setting aside or modifying any of the terms
and conditions of the agreement or lease as the court considers just and equitable
in the circumstances of the case.

References in this subsection to the terms and conditions of an agreement or lease
relating to any premises include references to the terms and conditions on or subject
to which by virtue of [F63section
3 of the M11Rent Act 1977] a statutory tenant retains possession
of any premises.

(3)Where, in the case of any premises to which this section applies, the carrying
out or doing with respect to those premises of any structural or other alterations
or other thing whose carrying out or doing is requisite as mentioned in subsection
(2) above involves a person having an interest in the premises in expense or in
increased expense, and he alleges that the whole or part of the expense or, as the
case may be, the increase, ought to be borne by some other person having an interest
in the premises, the first-mentioned person may apply to the county court within
whose jurisdiction the premises are situated, and the court may by order give such
directions—

(a)with respect to the persons by whom the expense or increase is to be borne, and
the proportions in which it is to be borne by them; and

(b)if need be, for modification of the terms of any agreement or lease relating to
the premises so far as concerns rent payable in respect of the premises,

as the court considers just and equitable in the circumstances of the case:

Provided that on an application under this subsection the court shall not direct
the whole or any part of the expense or increase to be borne by a person other than
the applicant by reason only of that other person being a statutory tenant of the
premises or any part of the premises.

(4)In this section “statutory tenant” has the same meaning as in [F64the

M12Rent Act 1977.]

(5)In the application of this section to Scotland—

(a)for references to the county court there shall be substituted references to the
sheriff;

(b)in subsection (2), for the reference to [F63section
3 of the M13Rent Act 1977] there shall be substituted a reference
to section [F6515]of
the M14Rent (Scotland) Act [F651984];

(c)“statutory tenant” has the same meaning as in section [F65115(1)]
of the Rent (Scotland) Act [F651984];

(d)subsection (4) shall be omitted:

. . . F66

Annotations:

Amendments (Textual)

F63Words substituted by
Rent Act 1977 (c. 42), Sch. 23 para. 49(a)

F64Words substituted by
Rent Act 1977 (c. 42), Sch. 23 para. 49(b)

F65Words substituted (S.) by
Rent (Scotland) Act 1984 (c. 58, SIF 75:4), s. 117(1),
Sch. 8 Pt. II

F66 S. 28(5) proviso repealed by Statute Law (Repeals)
Act 1978 (c. 45), Sch. 1 Pt.
XVII

Marginal Citations

M11 1977
c. 42.

M12 1977
c. 42.

M13 1977
c. 42.

M14 1984
c. 58. (75:4

[F6728A
Special provision for factory, office, railway and shop premises. E+W+S

(1)This Act shall have effect in relation to premises of the descriptions specified
in Part I of Schedule 2 to this Act subject to the modifications specified in Part
II of that Schedule.

(2)The Secretary of State may by order vary the provisions of that Schedule by amending,
omitting or adding to the descriptions of premises or the modifications for the
time being specified in it if it appears to him to be necessary or expedient in
connection with any provision made by health and safety regulations under section
15 of the M15Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

(3)The power to make an order under this section is exercisable by statutory instrument
which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House
of Parliament.]

Annotations:

Amendments (Textual)

F67 S. 28A inserted by Fire Safety and
Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 (c. 27, SIF 50),
s. 16(1)

Marginal Citations

M15 1974
c. 37 (43:3)

Amendments of other Acts

29 Extension of ss. 24 and 33 of Fire Services Act 1947. E+W+S

In sections 24 and 33(1) of the M16Fire
Services Act 1947 (which authorise the appointment of inspectors and the holding
of inquiries for obtaining information as to the performance by fire authorities
of their functions under that Act) the references to that Act shall be read as including
references to this Act.

Annotations:

Marginal Citations

M16 1947
c. 41.

30 Provisions as to ss. 59 and 60 of Public Health Act 1936 and certain similar
enactments. E+W+S

(1). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F68

(2)So long as a fire certificate is in force with respect to any premises, any provision
of a local Act which apart from this subsection would apply in the case of those
premises shall not apply in their case in so far as it relates to any matter in
relation to which requirements are imposed by that certificate; and so long as any
regulations made under section 12 of this Act apply to any premises, any provision
of a local Act which apart from this subsection would apply in the case of those
premises shall not apply in their case in so far as it relates to any matter about
which provision is made in the regulations.

(3)While this subsection applies to any premises, none of the following provisions
shall apply to the premises, that is to say—

[F69(a)section 71(1) to (4) of the M17Building
Act 1984;

(b)section 72 (except subsection (5)) of that Act;]

(c)section 35 (means of escape in buildings in inner London) of the
M18London Building Acts (Amendment) Act 1939; and

(d)any provision of a local Act which is for the time being designated for the purposes
of this paragraph under subsection (5) below.

(4)Subsection (3) above applies to—

(a)any premises in respect of which a fire certificate is for the time being in force;

(b)any premises to which a notice for the time being in force under section 3 of
this Act relates; and

(c)any premises to which any regulations made under section 12 of this Act apply.

(5)Where it appears to the Secretary of State, as regards any provision contained
in a local Act, that it is unnecessary or would be impracticable for that provision
to apply to premises while they are premises to which subsection (3) above applies,
he may by order designate that provision for the purposes of subsection (3)(d) above.

(6)An order under subsection (5) above may be varied or revoked by a subsequent order
thereunder.

(7)The power to make orders under subsection (5) above shall be exercisable by statutory
instrument, which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of
either House of Parliament.

(8)This section does not extend to Scotland.

Annotations:

Amendments (Textual)

F68 S. 30(1) repealed by
Building Act 1984 (c. 55, SIF 15), s. 133(2),
Sch. 7

F69 S. 30(3)(a)(b) substituted by Building Act 1984
(c. 55, SIF 15), Sch. 6 para. 13

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C22S. 30 applied (with modifications) by S.I. 1997/1840,
reg. 17(1)(2)

Marginal Citations

M17 1984
c. 55 (15)

M18 1939
c. xcvii.

31 Suspension of terms and conditions of licences dealing with same matters as fire
certificates or regulations. E+W+S

(1)Where any enactment provides for the licensing of premises of any class or description
and the authority responsible for issuing licences thereunder is required or authorised
to impose terms, conditions or restrictions in connection with the issue of such
licences, then, in the case of any premises of that class or description—

(a)so long as there is in force with respect to the premises a fire certificate covering
the use of the premises by reason of which a licence under that enactment is required,
any term, condition or restriction imposed in connection with the issue under that
enactment of any licence with respect to those premises shall be of no effect in
so far as it relates to any matter in relation to which requirements are or could
be imposed by that certificate; and

(b)without prejudice to paragraph (a) above, so long as there are in force under
section 12 of this Act any regulations applying to the premises in respect of that
use, any term, condition or restriction imposed as aforesaid shall be of no effect
in so far as it relates to any matter about which provision is made in the regulations.

(2)References in this section to the issue of licences include references to their
renewal, transfer or variation.

32 Provision for securing exercise of local Act powers in conformity with this Act.
E+W+S

A person required by or under a local Act to do any thing in relation to any premises
shall not be treated as having acted in contravention of that Act by reason of his
failure to do that thing in so far as the failure is attributable to the fact that
remedying it would involve a contravention of this Act or of regulations made under
section 12 thereof.

Annotations:

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C23S. 32 applied (with modifications) by S.I. 1997/1840,
reg. 17(1)(2)

33 Amendment of Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act 1963. E+W+S

(1)Section 29 of the M19Offices,
Shops and Railway Premises Act 1963 (which provides for the issue of fire certificates
under that section and which, with section 30 of that Act, enables the appropriate
authority in that connection to stipulate for the making of specified alterations
to premises) shall be amended as follows:—

(a)after subsection (9) there shall be inserted as subsection (9A)—

“(9A)In the case of premises consisting of or comprised in a building to which building
regulations (within the meaning of section 4 of the Public Health Act 1961) imposing
requirements as to means of escape in case of fire apply, the appropriate authority
shall not for the purposes of this or the next following section specify any structural
alterations in respect of those premises beyond such as may be necessary to bring
the premises into compliance with the regulations in respect of those requirements.”;

(b)for subsection (10), there shall be substituted the following:—

“(10)In the case of premises consisting of or comprised in a building to which building
standards regulations (within the meaning of the Building (Scotland) Act 1959) imposing
requirements as to means of escape in case of fire apply, the appropriate authority
shall not for the purposes of this or the next following section specify any structural
alterations in respect of those premises to a standard higher than that of the said
regulations.”;

(c)after subsection (11) there shall be added as subsection (12)—

“(12)References in subsection (9A) above to building regulations shall, in any particular
case in relation to which there is in force a direction made under section 6 of
the Public Health Act 1961 dispensing with or relaxing any requirement in such regulations,
be construed as references to building regulations as they apply in that case.”

(2)In subsection (3) of section 83 of the
M20Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act 1963 (application to Crown), after
the words “sections 29(2) to (8)” there shall be inserted the word “ (9A)”.

Annotations:

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C24The text of s. 33 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not
reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which
may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

Marginal Citations

M19 1963
c. 41.

M20 1963
c. 41.

Miscellaneous and general

35 Power to apply Act to vessels and movable structures. E+W+S

The Secretary of State may by regulations apply any of the provisions of this Act,
subject to such modifications as may be prescribed, to—

(a)vessels remaining moored or on dry land for such periods or in such circumstances
as may be prescribed; and

(b)tents and other movable structures of any prescribed description. [F70;
and

(c)places of work in the open air of any prescribed description.]

Annotations:

Amendments (Textual)

F70 S. 35(c) and “; and” inserted by Fire Safety and
Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 (c. 27, SIF 50),
s. 17

36 Power of local authorities to make loans to meet expenditure on certain alterations
to buildings occasioned by this Act. E+W+S

(1)Where there is in force a notice under section 3 of this Act relating to any premises,
any person proposing to incur expenditure in making to any part of the relevant
building any structural or other alterations the making of which is requisite as
being a step mentioned in a notice served in connection with those premises under
section 5(4), 8(5) or 12(8)(b) of this Act, may apply for a loan to the local authority
in whose area the premises are situated.

(2)Subject to this section, if the local authority consider that the applicant—

(a)can reasonably be expected to meet obligations assumed by him in pursuance of
this section in respect of a loan of the amount of the expenditure to which the
application relates; or

(b)cannot reasonably be expected to meet obligations so assumed by him in respect
of a loan of that amount, but can reasonably be expected to meet obligations so
assumed by him in respect of a loan of a smaller amount,

the local authority may, if they think fit, offer to enter into a contract with the
applicant for a loan by the local authority to the applicant of the appropriate
amount, to be secured to the local authority by a mortgage of the applicant’s interest
in the relevant building or the part of it to which the application relates.

In this subsection “the appropriate amount”, in a case falling within paragraph (a)
above, means the amount of the expenditure to which the application relates, and
in a case falling within paragraph (b) above means the smaller amount there referred
to.

(3)The local authority shall not make an offer under the foregoing provisions of
this section unless they are satisfied—

(a)that the applicant’s interest in the relevant building or the part of it to which
the application relates amounts to an estate in fee simple absolute in possession
or an estate for a term of years absolute which will not expire before the date
for final repayment of the loan; and

(b)that, according to a valuation made on behalf of the local authority, the amount
of the principal of the loan does not exceed the value which it is estimated the
mortgaged security will bear when the proposed alterations have been carried out.

(4)Subject to subsection (5) of this section, every loan under this section shall
bear interest at the rate which, on the date of the contract to make the loan, is
the rate for the time being determined by the Treasury in accordance with section
5 of the M21National Loans Act 1968 in respect of local loans
made on the security of local rates on that date and for the same period as that
loan.

In this subsection “local loans” and “made on the security of local rates” have the
same meanings as in section 6(2) of the
M22National Loans Act 1968.

(5)Where, on the date of a contract for a loan under this section, there are two
or more rates of interest for the time being determined by the Treasury as mentioned
in subsection (4) above, the reference in that subsection to the rate so determined
shall be read as a reference to such one of those rates as may be specified in a
direction given by the Treasury for the purposes of this section.

(6)The Treasury shall cause any direction given under subsection (5) above to be
published in the London and Edinburgh Gazettes as soon as may be after giving it.

(7)Subject to the foregoing provisions of this section, the contract offered by the
local authority under this section shall require proof of title and shall contain
such other reasonable terms as the local authority may specify in their offer.

[F71(8)The local authority’s offer may in particular include
provision—

(a)for the advance to be made by instalments from time to time as the alterations
progress;

(b)for repayment either by instalments of principal or by an annuity of principal
and interest combined;

(c)that in the event of any of the conditions subject to which the advance is made
not being complied with, the balance for the time being unpaid shall be come repayable
on demand by the local authority;

(d)that the balance for the time being unpaid may be repaid on one of the usual quarter
days by the person for the time being entitled to the equity of redemption after
one month’s written notice of intention to repay has been given to the local authority.]

(9)In its application to Scotland this section shall have effect subject to the following
modifications—

(a)in subsection (2), for the words “mortgage of” there shall be substituted the
words “ heritable security over”, and at the end there shall be inserted the words
“ and ”heritable security’ means any security capable of being constituted over
any interest in land by disposition or assignation of that interest in security
of any debt and of being recorded in the Register of Sasines”;

(b)in subsection (3)(a), for the words from “an estate in fee simple” to “years absolute”
there shall be substituted the words “ ownership or a lease”;

(c)in subsection (3)(b), for the words “mortgaged security” there shall be substituted
the words “ security subjects”;

[F72(d)in subsection (8), for “on one of the usual quarter
days” there shall be substituted “at ant term of Whitsunday or Martinmas” and for
“the person for the time being entitled to the equity of redemption” there shall
be substituted “the debtor”.]

Annotations:

Amendments (Textual)

F71 S. 36(8) substituted by Housing (Consequential
Provisions) Act 1985 (c. 71, SIF 61), s. 4,
Sch. 2 para. 21(2)

F72 S. 36(9)(d) substituted by Housing (Consequential
Provisions) Act 1985 (c. 71, SIF 61), s. 4,
Sch. 2 para. 21(3)

Marginal Citations

M21 1968
c. 13.

M22 1968
c. 13.

37 General provisions as to regulations. E+W+S

(1)Any power of the Secretary of State to make regulations under this Act shall be
exercisable by statutory instrument, which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance
of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

(2)Any power conferred by this Act to make regulations includes power to make different
provision in relation to different circumstances.

(3)Regulations made under this Act may grant or provide for the granting of exemptions
from any of the provisions of the regulations, either unconditionally or subject
to conditions.

Annotations:

Subordinate Legislation Made

P3S.37:for exercises of this power see Index to Government Orders.

P4S. 12(1) (with SS. 12(3)(4),37(2)(3) and 40(1)) power exercised by

S.I. 1991/259.

38 Service of documents. E+W+S

(1)Any notice or other document required or authorised by or by virtue of this Act
to be served on any person may be served on him either by delivering it to him or
by leaving it at his proper address or by sending it by post.

(2)Any notice or other document so required or authorised to be served on a body
corporate or a firm shall be duly served if it is served on the secretary or clerk
of that body or a partner of that firm.

(3)For the purposes of this section, and of [F73section
7 of the M23Interpretation Act 1978] in its application to
this section, the proper address of any person, in the case of the secretary or
clerk of a body corporate, shall be that of the registered or principal office of
that body, in the case of a partner of a firm, shall be that of the principal office
of the firm, and in any other case shall be the last known address of the person
to be served.

(4)If the name or the address of any owner or occupier of premises on whom any such
notice or other document as aforesaid is to be served cannot after reasonable inquiry
be ascertained by the person seeking to serve it, the document may be served by
addressing it to the person on whom it is to be served by the description of “owner”
or “occupier” of the premises (describing them) to which the notice relates, and
by delivering it to some responsible person resident or appearing to be resident
on the premises, or, if there is no such person to whom it can be delivered, by
affixing it or a copy of it to some conspicuous part of the premises.

Annotations:

Amendments (Textual)

F73Words substituted by virtue of Interpretation Act 1978 (c.
30), s. 25(2) (1.1.1979) for words from “section 26” to “1889”

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C25S. 38 applied (with modifications) (1.12.1997) by S.I. 1997/1840,
reg. 17(1)(2)

Marginal Citations

M23 1978
c. 30 (115:1)

39 Expenses. E+W+S

There shall be paid out of moneys provided by Parliament any expenditure incurred
by the Secretary of State under or by virtue of this Act and any increase attributable
to any provision of this Act in the sums payable under any other enactment out of
moneys so provided.

40 Application to Crown, etc. E+W+S

(1)Subject to the provisions of this section—

(a)the following provisions of this Act, namely sections 1, 2, 3 (except subsection
(5)), 4 [F745(2A), 5A, 5B,], 6 [F75,
[F76,
9A (except subsections (3) and (4)), 9B and 9C]] and 12(1) to (3) and (4)(a) and
(b), shall apply to premises occupied by the Crown; and

(b)the following provisions of this Act, namely sections 1, 2, 3 (except subsection
(5)), 4 to 8 [F778A,
8B,], [F789A][F779B, 9C, 9D, 9F,] 10,
[F7710B]
12, 19 to 21 and 32, shall apply to premises owned by the Crown but not occupied
by it.

(2)No fire certificate shall by virtue of subsection (1) above be required in respect
of premises of any of the following descriptions, that is to say—

(a)any premises constituting, or forming part of, a prison within the meaning of
the M24Prison Act 1952 or constituting, or forming part
of, a remand centre, detention centre or [F79youth
custody centre] provided by the Secretary of State under section 43 of that Act;

(b)any premises constituting, or forming part of, a prison within the meaning of
the M25Prisons (Scotland) Act 1952 or constituting, or
forming part of, a remand centre, . . .
F80, Borstal institution or young offenders institution provided by the
Secretary of State under section 31 of that Act;

[F81(c)any premises constituting, or forming part of,
a special hospital within the meaning of the M26Mental Health Act 1959 or a State hospital within
the meaning of the [F82 M27Mental Health (Scotland) Act 1984];]

(d)any premises occupied solely for purposes of the armed forces of the Crown.

(3)Any provision of this Act which, by virtue of subsection (1) above, applies to
premises occupied or owned by the Crown shall, in its application to any such premises,
have effect with the substitution, for any reference to the fire authority, of a
reference to a fire inspector or any person authorised by the Secretary of State
to act for the purposes of this section.

(4)As regards any premises falling within subsection (1)(a) above, any power exercisable
by virtue of subsection (3) above by a fire inspector shall be exercisable also
by an officer of the fire brigade maintained by the fire authority if and so far
as he is authorised in writing by such an inspector to exercise that power; but
a fire inspector shall not authorise an officer of a fire brigade under this subsection
except with the consent of the fire authority who maintain that brigade.

(5)If a person with intent to deceive pretends to be a person by whom any powers
exercisable by a fire inspector by virtue of subsection (3) above are exercisable
by virtue of subsection (4) above, he shall be guilty of an offence and liable on
summary conviction to a fine not exceeding [F83level
3 on the standard scale].

(6)In relation to any premises falling within subsection (1)(b) above section 20(1)
of this Act shall have effect as if for the reference to an officer of the fire
brigade maintained by the fire authority there were substituted a reference to any
person.

[F84(7)Section 341 of the M28Public
Health Act 1936 (power to apply provisions of that Act to Crown Property) shall
have effect as if sections 11 and 15 of this Act were contained in that Act.]

(8)To such extent, if any, as they so provide, regulations under section 35 of this
Act shall bind the Crown.

(9)Nothing in this Act shall be taken to authorise the entry of premises occupied
by the Crown.

[F81(10)This
Act shall apply to premises in Scotland occupied by a [F85Health
Board] as if they were premises occupied by the Crown.]

F86(10A). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . .

[F87(10B)This Act shall apply to premises occupied by
the National Radiological Protection Board as if they were premises occupied by
the Crown.]

(11)Any premises used for the purposes of a visiting force or of a headquarters or
defence organisation designated for the purposes of the
M29International Headquarters and Defence Organisations Act 1964 shall be
exempt from the operation of this Act to the extent to which the premises would
be exempt therefrom if the premises were occupied by the Crown solely for purposes
of the armed forces of the Crown.

In this subsection “visiting force” means any such body, contingent or detachment
of the forces of any country as is a visiting force for the purposes of any of the
provisions of the M30Visiting
Forces Act 1952.

Annotations:

Subordinate Legislation Made

P5S.40: for exercises of this power see Index to Government Orders.

P6S. 40(1): S. 12(1) (with SS.12(3)(4),37(2)(3) and 40(1)) power exercised
(12.2.1991) by
S.I. 1991/259.

Amendments (Textual)

F74Words inserted by Fire Safety and
Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 (c. 27, SIF 50),
ss. 18(2),
50(2)

F75Words inserted by Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (c. 37), s. 78(1)(8)(a)

F76Words substituted by Fire Safety and
Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 (c. 27, SIF 50),
ss. 18(2),
50(2)

F77Words inserted by Fire Safety and
Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 (c. 27, SIF 50),
ss. 18(3),
50(2)

F78Word inserted by Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (c. 37), s. 78(1)(8)(b)

F79Words substituted by
Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48, SIF 39:1), s. 77, Sch. 14 para.
29

F80Words repealed by
Criminal Justice Act 1988 (c. 33, SIF 39:1), ss. 123(6),
170(2), Sch. 8 para.
16, Sch. 16 (the repeal being in force (S.) on 1.11.1988
by
S.I. 1988/1817, art. 2 Sch.)

F81 S. 40(2)(c)(10) repealed (1.4.1991)
by
National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 (c. 19, SIF 113:2),
s. 66(2),
Sch. 10

F82Words substituted by virtue of Interpretation Act 1978 (c.
30), s. 25(2) (1.1.1979) for words from “section 26” to “1889”

F83Words substituted by virtue of (E.W.) Criminal Justice
Act 1982 (c. 48, SIF 39:1), ss. 38, 46 and (S.)

Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 (c. 21, SIF 39:1), ss. 289F,
289G

F84 S. 40(7) repealed (E.W.) by Building Act 1984 (c. 55,
SIF 15), s. 133(2),
Sch. 7

F85Words substituted by Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (c. 37), s.
78(1)(8)(c)

F86 S. 40(10A) repealed (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 17,
s. 5(1)(2), Sch.3 (with s. 4(1), Sch. 2 paras. 6,
16)

F87 S. 40(10B) inserted by Fire Safety and
Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 (c. 27, SIF 50),
s. 18(4)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C26S. 40 modified (17.7.1992) by S.I. 1992/1732,
art. 5

S. 40 extended (6.5.1999) by S.I. 1999/677,
art. 5(1)

C27References to a youth offender institution substituted (E.W.) for references to
a detention centre and to a youth custody centre by virtue of Criminal Justice
Act 1988 (c. 33, SIF 39:1), s. 123(6),
Sch. 8 Pt.
I para. 1

Marginal Citations

M24 1952
c. 52.

M25 1952
c. 61.

M26 1959
c. 72.

M27 1984
c. 36 (85)

M28 1936
c. 49 (100:1)

M29 1964
c. 5.

M30 1952
c. 67.

41 Application to premises occupied by U.K. Atomic Energy Authority. E+W+S

Sections 17, 18, 30, 31 and 36 of this Act shall not apply to any premises occupied
by the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority, and in the application of other provisions
of this Act to any such premises—

(a)for any reference to the fire authority there shall be substituted a reference
to a fire inspector or any person authorised by the Secretary of State to act for
the purposes of this section; and

(b)for the reference in section 20(1) to an officer of the fire brigade maintained
by the fire authority there shall be substituted a reference to any person.

42. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F88 E+W+S

Annotations:

Amendments (Textual)

F88 S. 42 repealed by Northern Ireland
Constitution Act 1973 (c. 36), s. 42(1),
Sch. 6 Pt. I

43 Interpretation. E+W+S

(1)In this Act—

“building” includes a temporary or movable building and also includes any permanent
structure and any temporary structure other than a movable one;

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F89

“contravention” includes failure to comply, and “contravene” has a corresponding
meaning;

“the court”, except in section 28 of this Act . . .
F90, means, in relation to premises in England or Wales, a magistrates’ court
acting for the petty sessions area in which they are situated and, in relation to
premises in Scotland, the sheriff within whose jurisdiction they are situated;

“designated use” has the meaning assigned by section 1(1) of this Act;

[F91“escape” has the meaning assigned to it by section
5(5) of this Act and “means of escape” is to be construed in accordance with that
subsection;]

“fire authority”, in relation to any premises or proposed premises, means the authority
discharging in the area in which the premises are or are to be situated the functions
of fire authority under the M31Fire
Services Act 1947;

“fire certificate” has the meaning assigned by section 1(1) of this Act;

“fire inspector” means an inspector or assistant inspector appointed under section
24 of the M32Fire
Services Act 1947;

“furniture” includes furnishings (including wall-coverings and ceiling-coverings
of all sorts, as well as floor-coverings);

“local authority” means—

(a) as respects England F92. .
., the council of a . . . F93
London borough or . . . district, the Common Council of the City of London or the
Council of the Isles of Scilly;

[F94(aa)as respects Wales, the council of a county or
county borough;]

(b) as respects Scotland, [F95except
in section 17, the [F96council for a local government area]];

“notice” means a notice in writing;

“the notified person” and “the specified position” have the meanings assigned by
section 3(8) of this Act;

“owner”—

(a) as respects England and Wales, means the person for the time being receiving
the rackrent of the premises in connection with which the word is used, whether
on his own account or as agent or trustee for another person, or who would so receive
the rackrent if the premises were let at a rackrent; and

(b) as respects Scotland, means the person for the time being entitled to receive
or who would, if the same were let, be entitled to receive, the rents of the premises
in connection with which the word is used and includes a trustee, factor, tutor
or curator, and in the case of public or municipal property, applies to the persons
to whom the management thereof is entrusted;

“premises” means building or part of a building;

“prescribed” means prescribed by regulations made under this Act by the Secretary
of State;

[F97“prohibition notice” has the meaning assigned by section
10(2) of this Act;]

“the relevant building”, in relation to—

(a) any premises in relation to which a notice under section 3 of this Act is in
force; or

(b) any premises which are the subject of an application for a fire certificate;
or

means the building constituting or comprising the premises in question.

[F98“work” has the same meaning as it has for the purposes
of Part I of the M33Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974].

(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F99

(3)Except in so far as the context otherwise requires, any reference in this Act
to any enactment is a reference to it as amended, and includes a reference to it
as applied, by or under any other enactment, including this Act.

Annotations:

Amendments (Textual)

F89Definition of “building regulations” repealed by Health and Safety at Work
etc. Act 1974 (c. 37), Sch. 10

F90Words repealed by Fire Safety and
Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 (c. 27, SIF 50), ss. 16(3)(b), 49,
Sch. 4

F91Definition inserted by Fire Safety and
Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 (c. 27, SIF 50),
s. 4(3)

F92words in s. 43(1) in para. (a) of the definition of “local authority” repealed
(1.4.1996) by
1994 c. 19, ss. 22(3), 66(8), Sch. 9 para. 8,
Sch.18 (with ss. 54(5)(7), 66(7), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1),
23(2)); S.I. 1996/396,
art. 4, Sch.2

F93Words repealed by
S.I. 1974/595, Sch. 1

F94In s. 43(1) in the definition of “local authority” para. (aa) inserted (1.4.1996)
by
1994 c. 19, s. 22(3), Sch. 9 para.8
(with ss. 54(5)(7), 66(7), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1),
23(2)); S.I. 1996/396,
art. 4, Sch.2

F95Words substituted by Local Government (Scotland)
Act 1973 (c. 65),
Sch. 27 Pt. II para. 200

F96Words in s. 43(1) in para. (b) of the definition
of “local authority” substituted (S.) (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 39,
s. 180(1), Sch. 13 para.87;

S.I. 1996/323, art.4(1)(c)

F97Definition inserted by Fire Safety and
Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 (c. 27, SIF 50),
s. 9(3)

F98Definition added by Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (c. 37), s. 78(1)(9)

F99 S. 43(2) repealed by Fire Safety and
Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 (c. 27, SIF 50),
ss. 12(2), 49,
Sch. 4

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C28S. 43 applied (with modifications) (1.12.1997) by S.I. 1997/1840,
reg. 17(1)(2)(3)(d)

Marginal Citations

M31 1947
c. 41.

M32 1947
c. 41.

M33 1974
c. 37.

44 Short title, extent and commencement. E+W+S

(1)This Act may be cited as the Fire Precautions Act 1971.

(2)This Act, . . . F100 does
not extend to Northern Ireland.

(3)This Act shall come into operation on such day as the Secretary of State may by
order made by statutory instrument appoint, and different dates may be appointed
under this subsection for different purposes.

Annotations:

Amendments (Textual)

F100Words repealed by Northern Ireland Constitution
Act 1973 (c. 36), s. 42(1),
Sch. 6 Pt. I

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C29Power of appointment conferred by s. 44(3) not fully exercised

Section 34.

[F103SCHEDULE I] E+W+S Modification of Rent Act 1968 and
Corresponding Scottish Acts

Annotations:

Amendments (Textual)

F103Words substituted (1.1.1988) by virtue of Fire Safety and
Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 (c. 27, SIF 50),
ss. 16(2),
50(2)

Part I E+W+S . . . F101

Annotations:

Amendments (Textual)

F101 Sch. 1 Pt. I repealed (E.W.) by Rent Act 1977 (c.
42, SIF 75:3), Sch. 25

Part II E+W+S . . . F102

Annotations:

Amendments (Textual)

F102 Sch. 1 Pt. II repealed (S.) by Housing (Financial
Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1972 (c. 46, SIF 61), Sch. 11 Pt. V

[F104SCHEDULE 2 E+W+S Special Provision for Certain Premises

Annotations:

Amendments (Textual)

F104 Sch. 2 inserted by Fire Safety and
Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 (c. 27, SIF 50),
ss. 16(2),
50(2), Sch. 1

Part I E+W+S The Premises

1Subject to paragraph 2 below, the following are the descriptions of premises in
relation to which this Act is subject to the modifications specified in relation
to them in Part II—

(a)premises constituting, or forming part of, a factory within the meaning of the

M34Factories Act 1961 and premises to which sections 123(1) and 124 of that
Act (application to electrical stations and institutions) apply (in this Schedule
referred to as “factory premises”);

(b)office premises within the meaning of the M35Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act 1963, or premises
deemed to be such premises for the purposes of that Act (in this Schedule referred
to as “office premises”);

(c)railway premises within the meaning of that Act of 1963, or premises deemed to
be such premises for the purposes of that Act (in this Schedule referred to as “railway
premises”); and

(d)shop premises within the meaning of that Act of 1963, or premises deemed to be
such premises for the purposes of that Act (in this Schedule referred to as “shop
premises”).

Annotations:

Marginal Citations

M341961 9 & 10 Eliz. 2 c. 34 (43:3)

M35 1963
c. 41 (43:3)

2Premises which are deemed to form part of a mine for the purposes of the M36Mines
and Quarries Act 1954 are excluded from the descriptions of premises mentioned in
sub-paragraphs (b) to (d) of paragraph 1 above.

Annotations:

Marginal Citations

M361954 2 & 3 Eliz. 2 c. 70 (86)

Part II E+W+S The Modifications

3(1)This paragraph applies to premises in respect of which a fire certificate is
required which are factory premises, office premises, railway premises or shop premises,
and which—

(a)are held under a lease or an agreement for a lease or under a licence and consist
of part of a building all parts of which are in the same ownership; or

(b)consist of part of a building in which different parts are owned by different
persons.

(2)In relation to premises to which this paragraph applies this Act shall have effect
with the following modifications.

(3)For the references to the occupier in sections 5(2A), 5A(4), 5A(7), 5A(9), 5B(3),
5B(4), 5B(5), 6(5), 7(1), 7(3A), 7(4), 8(2) (except paragraph (c) and the insertion
made by sub-paragraph (5) below), 8(4), 8(5), 8(7), 8B(1), 9(5)(b), 9A(3), 9D(1)
and 12(8)(b) there shall be substituted—

(a)in the case of premises falling within sub-paragraph (1)(a) above, references
to the owner of the building;

(b)in the case of premises falling within sub-paragraph (1)(b) above, references
to the persons who between them own the building.

(4)For the words “a fire certificate” where they occur in section 6(8) and where
they first occur in section 7(6) there shall be substituted the words “a copy of
the fire certificate” and in section 6(8) at the end of the subsection there shall
be inserted the words “and the fire certificate shall be sent to the owner of the
building or, as the case may be, the person who owns the part of the building of
which the premises consist”.

(5)In sections 8(2) and 8A(1) after the words “fire authority;” there shall be inserted
the words “and the occupier shall, before the carrying out of the proposals is begun,
furnish to the persons responsible for giving notice of the proposals to the fire
authority any information in his possession which is relevant to those proposals;”.

(6)In section 8A(1) for the references to the occupier (except the reference inserted
by sub-paragraph (5) above) there shall be substituted—

(a)in the case of premises—

(i)falling within sub-paragraph (1)(a) above; and

(ii)in relation to which it is intended to carry out proposals falling within subsection
(2)(a) or (c) of that section,

references to the owner of the building; and

(b)in the case of premises—

(i)falling within sub-paragraph (1)(b) above; and

(ii)in relation to which it is intended to carry out proposals falling within subsection
(2)(a) or (c) of that section,

references to the persons who between them own the building.

(7)The expressions “owner of the building” and “the persons who between them own
the building” do not include the Crown in the modifications made—

(a)by sub-paragraph (3) above of sections 7(1), 8(7), 9A(3) and of the word “occupier”
in the third place where it occurs in section 8(2); and

(b)by sub-paragraph (6) above of the word “occupier” in the second place where it
occurs in section 8A(1).

4In section 6(1) as it has effect in relation to factory premises there shall be
inserted after paragraph (e) the following paragraph—

“(f)particulars as to any explosive or highly flammable materials which may be stored
or used in the premises,”.

5In section 8 as it has effect in relation to factory premises—

(a)for paragraph (c) of subsection (2) there shall be substituted the following paragraph—

“(c)the occupier of the premises proposes to begin to store or use explosive or highly
flammable materials in the premises or materially to increase the extent of such
storage or use,”; and

(b)in subsection (3) for the words from “keep explosive” to “that kind” there shall
be substituted the words “store or use explosive or highly flammable materials in
the premises or materially to increase the extent of such storage or use”.

6In section 8A as it has effect in relation to factory premises, for paragraph (b)
of subsection (2) there shall be substituted the following paragraph—

“(b)on the part of the occupier of the premises to begin to store or use explosive
or highly flammable materials in the premises or materially to increase the extent
of such storage or use;”.

7Where a licence issued under the M37Explosives Act 1875 or the M38Petroleum
(Consolidation) Act 1928 is in force with respect to factory premises, office premises,
shop premises or railway premises, section 31 of this Act shall not have effect
in relation to any term, condition or restriction imposed in connection with the
issue, renewal, transfer or variation of such licence.

Annotations:

Marginal Citations

M3738 & 39 Vict. c. 17 (51:2)

M3818 & 19 Geo. V c. 32 (100:3

8Where any premises (“the relevant premises”)—

(a)are premises for which a fire certificate is required, premises for which a fire
certificate is in force, premises to which section 9A of this Act applies or premises
to which regulations under section 12 of this Act apply, and

(b)are factory premises, office premises, shop premises or railway premises,

section 28 shall apply to the premises or to any other premises comprised in the
same building—

(i)with the substitution of the foregoing words (reading “this section” for “section
28”) for subsection (1);

(ii)with the insertion, in subsection (2)(a), after “8(5)” of “9D(1)”; and

(iii)with the substitution, for subsection (2)(c) of the following—

“(c)in order to secure compliance with section 9A or a provision of regulations under
section 12 of this Act;”.]

Crown copyright information is reproduced with the permission of the Controller of HMSO and the Queen’s Printer for Scotland.

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Fire Precautions Act 1971 (c. 40)

Fire Precautions Act 1971

1971 CHAPTER 40

Premises for which fire certificates are required

1 Uses of premises for which fire certificate is compulsory. E+W+S

2 Premises exempt from s. 1. E+W+S

3 Power of fire authority to make fire certificate compulsory for use of certain premises as a dwelling. E+W+S

4 Right of appeal against, and coming into force of, notices under s. 3. E+W+S

Fire certificates

5 Application for, and issue of, fire certificate. E+W+S

[F115A Powers for fire authority to grant exemption in particular cases. E+W+S

[F125B Withdrawal of exemptions under s. 5A. E+W+S

6 Contents of fire certificate. E+W+S

7 Offences in relation to foregoing provisions. E+W+S

8 Change of conditions affecting adequacy of certain matters specified in fire certificate, etc. E+W+S

[F188A Changes of conditions affecting premises for which exemption has been granted. E+W+S

[F198B Charges for issue or amendment of fire certicicates. E+W+S

9 Right of appeal as regards matters arising out of ss. 5 to 8. E+W+S

[F209A Duty as to means of escape and for fighting fire. E+W+S

[F229B Codes of practice as to means of escape and for fighting fire. E+W+S

[F239C Legal effect of codes of practice. E+W+S

[F249D Improvement notices. E+W+S

[F259E Rights of appeal against improvement notices. E+W+S

[F269F Provision as to offences. E+W+S

Premises involving excessive risk to persons in case of fire

[F2710 Special procedure in cases of special risk: prohibition notices. E+W+S

[F2810A Rights of appeal against prohibition notices. E+W+S

[F2910B Provision as to offences. E+W+S

Building and other regulations about fire precautions

11. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F30 E+W+S

12 Power of Secretary of State to make regulations about fire precautions. E+W+S

13 Exercise of certain powers of fire authority in England or Wales where building regulations as to means of escape apply. E+W

14 Exercise of certain powers of fire authority in Scotland where building standards regulations as to means of escape apply. E+W+S

Consultation between fire and other authorities

15. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F38 E+W+S

16 Duty of local authority to consult fire authority in certain cases before passing plans. E+W

17 Duty of fire authorities to consult other authorities before requiring alterations to buildings. E+W+S

Enforcement

18 Enforcement of Act. E+W+S

19 Powers of inspectors. E+W+S

20 Exercise on behalf of fire inspectors of their powers by officers of fire brigades. E+W+S

21 Restriction on disclosure of information. E+W+S

Offences, penalties and legal proceedings

22 Falsification of documents, false statements etc. E+W+S

23 Offences by bodies corporate. E+W+S

24 Offences due to fault of other person. E+W+S

25 Defence available to persons charged with offences. E+W+S

26 Appeals to magistrates’ courts. E+W+S

27 Appeal from order made on complaint. E+W+S

[F6227A Civil and other liability. E+W+S

28 Power of county court or sheriff, where notice under s. 3 is in force, to modify agreements and leases and apportion expenses. E+W+S

[F6728A Special provision for factory, office, railway and shop premises. E+W+S

Amendments of other Acts

29 Extension of ss. 24 and 33 of Fire Services Act 1947. E+W+S

30 Provisions as to ss. 59 and 60 of Public Health Act 1936 and certain similar enactments. E+W+S

31 Suspension of terms and conditions of licences dealing with same matters as fire certificates or regulations. E+W+S

32 Provision for securing exercise of local Act powers in conformity with this Act. E+W+S

33 Amendment of Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act 1963. E+W+S

Miscellaneous and general

35 Power to apply Act to vessels and movable structures. E+W+S

36 Power of local authorities to make loans to meet expenditure on certain alterations to buildings occasioned by this Act. E+W+S

37 General provisions as to regulations. E+W+S

38 Service of documents. E+W+S

39 Expenses. E+W+S

40 Application to Crown, etc. E+W+S

41 Application to premises occupied by U.K. Atomic Energy Authority. E+W+S

42. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F88 E+W+S

43 Interpretation. E+W+S

44 Short title, extent and commencement. E+W+S

[F103SCHEDULE I] E+W+S Modification of Rent Act 1968 and Corresponding Scottish Acts

Part I E+W+S . . . F101

Part II E+W+S . . . F102

[F104SCHEDULE 2 E+W+S Special Provision for Certain Premises

Part I E+W+S The Premises

Part II E+W+S The Modifications

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3 Power of fire authority to make fire certificate compulsory for use of certain
premises as a dwelling. E+W+S

[F115A
Powers for fire authority to grant exemption in particular cases. E+W+S

[F125B
Withdrawal of exemptions under s. 5A. E+W+S

8 Change of conditions affecting adequacy of certain matters specified in fire certificate,
etc. E+W+S

[F188A
Changes of conditions affecting premises for which exemption has been granted. E+W+S

[F198B
Charges for issue or amendment of fire certicicates. E+W+S

[F209A
Duty as to means of escape and for fighting fire. E+W+S

[F229B
Codes of practice as to means of escape and for fighting fire. E+W+S

[F239C
Legal effect of codes of practice. E+W+S

[F249D
Improvement notices. E+W+S

[F259E
Rights of appeal against improvement notices. E+W+S

[F269F
Provision as to offences. E+W+S

[F2710
Special procedure in cases of special risk: prohibition notices. E+W+S

[F2810A
Rights of appeal against prohibition notices. E+W+S

[F2910B
Provision as to offences. E+W+S

11. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F30 E+W+S

13 Exercise of certain powers of fire authority in England or Wales where building
regulations as to means of escape apply. E+W

14 Exercise of certain powers of fire authority in Scotland where building standards
regulations as to means of escape apply. E+W+S

15. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F38 E+W+S

16 Duty of local authority to consult fire authority in certain cases before passing
plans. E+W

17 Duty of fire authorities to consult other authorities before requiring alterations
to buildings. E+W+S

20 Exercise on behalf of fire inspectors of their powers by officers of fire brigades.
E+W+S

[F6227A
Civil and other liability. E+W+S

28 Power of county court or sheriff, where notice under s. 3 is in force, to modify
agreements and leases and apportion expenses. E+W+S

[F6728A
Special provision for factory, office, railway and shop premises. E+W+S

30 Provisions as to ss. 59 and 60 of Public Health Act 1936 and certain similar
enactments. E+W+S

31 Suspension of terms and conditions of licences dealing with same matters as fire
certificates or regulations. E+W+S

32 Provision for securing exercise of local Act powers in conformity with this Act.
E+W+S

36 Power of local authorities to make loans to meet expenditure on certain alterations
to buildings occasioned by this Act. E+W+S

42. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F88 E+W+S

[F103SCHEDULE I] E+W+S Modification of Rent Act 1968 and
Corresponding Scottish Acts