Fire safety legislation

The Fire Precautions (Designated Premises) (Jersey) Regulations 2012 law details what type of premises require a Fire Safety Certificate.  

Petrol is a highly flammable fuel and can give off vapour which can be set on fire. When not handled safely, it has the potential to cause a serious fire or explosion.

There is always a risk of a fire or an explosion if there is a source of ignition nearby such as a naked flame or an electrical spark.

​Storage of petroleum

The legal quantities of petroleum that can be stored at a property without having a petroleum licence is up to 25 litres. This may be stored in one approved metal container or no more than three approved plastic containers. These rules are set out under the Petroleum-Spirit (Storage) (Jersey) Regulations 2001.

​Transport of petroleum​​​​​

The legal quantities of petroleum that can be transported in a vehicle other than a fuel tanker without having a petroleum licence is up to 100 litres in closed and secure receptacles holding no more than 25 litres. Where five litre plastic receptacles are used no more than 50 litres may be conveyed. 

Containers, whether metal or plastic, must be approved and certified and be in good condition to prevent breakage and ensure they prevent leakage of liquid and vapour. 

These rules are set out under the Petroleum-Spirit (Carriage by road) (Jersey) Regulations 2001.

Applying for a petroleum licence

Petroleum licences are issued by the Fire Safety Department to allow premises to hold and dispense petrol safely. Your petroleum licence must be renewed annually on 1 August. If you hold a licence you'll be contacted automatically by the Fire Safety department.

Complete the Petroleum PA1 2025 application form below to apply for a new petroleum license or make amendments to your current license.

​Petroleum (Jersey) Law 1984 on Jersey Law

Standard conditions of licence for petroleum filling stations

If you have a petroleum filling station you must adhere to certain conditions of licence as detailed in the document below.​

Advice for domestic fuel storage

When domestically storing fuel make sure you:

• ​always store fuel cans in a well-ventilated outdoor area away from heat sources, ignition points, and living spaces to minimise the risk of vapour buildup and potential fire hazards
• ensure fuel cans are stored out of reach of children and pets to prevent accidental ingestion or tampering. Consider using lockable cabinets or storage containers for added safety
• only use approved fuel cans specifically designed for storing and transporting flammable liquids. Avoid repurposing containers such as food or beverage bottles, which may not be suitable for fuel storage
• never overfill fuel cans beyond their maximum capacity to prevent spills and leaks. Leave some space at the top of the container to allow for expansion of the fuel
• when refuelling vehicles or equipment, use a funnel to prevent spills and minimise contact between fuel and skin or surfaces. Wipe up any spills immediately and dispose of cleaning materials safely
• always handle fuel cans with care, avoiding rough handling, dropping, or tipping over. Even small punctures or cracks in the container can lead to leaks and potential hazards
• never smoke or use open flames near fuel cans or during refuelling activities. Even minor sparks can ignite fuel vapours, leading to fires or explosions
• ground fuel cans by touching them to a grounded metal object before and during pouring to discharge static electricity and prevent sparks
• keep fuel in its original container with the proper label intact to ensure easy identification and safe handling. Avoid transferring fuel to makeshift containers that may not be suitable for storage
• dispose of unused fuel properly according to local regulations. Do not pour fuel down drains, sewers, or onto the ground. Consider recycling options or hazardous waste disposal facilities for the safe disposal of old or unused fuel

Following these safety tips when using fuel cans domestically can help: 

• ​prevent accidents
• protect individuals and property
• promote responsible fuel handling practices

The Explosives (Jersey) Law 1970 regulates the importation, manufacture, storage, use, conveyance, sale, purchase, transfer, acquisition and possession of explosives.

If you wish to sell fireworks, you must have a licence granted by the Connétable of the Parish in which the place from which the fireworks are to be sold is situated.

The licence costs £15, is valid for one year expiring on 31 December and is subject to certain conditions – in particular, the retail sale of fireworks is only permitted for a limited period, in the days leading up to 5 November, and the sale of certain types of fireworks is prohibited.

Every year many people are injured by fires that occur in the workplace – and the financial costs of a fire can be equally devastating. 

Risks to employees and the workplace can be reduced if your employees are aware of their responsibility to promptly report fire-related hazards and know what action to take if there is a fire.

The States of Jersey Fire and Rescue Service provides quality fire safety training which is specifically designed to help you, and your employees meet your obligations within current legislation, such as Health and Safety at Work (Jersey) Law 1989 and the Fire Precautions (Jersey) Law 1977.

Up until its ban in 2000, the toxic substance asbestos was used in many building materials and household items in Jersey. 

If your home or workplace was built before the year 2000, it could contain asbestos. Asbestos commonly found in the home includes:​​​

• cement (corrugated and flat sheets, ironing board rests, roof tiles, boiler flues)
• vinyl (plastic floor tiles, linoleum with paper backing)
• decorative plaster (artex on ceilings or walls, inside or outside)
• bitumen (pitch fibre pipes, toilet cisterns, sink pads, roofing felt)
• textiles (electrical flashguards, ironing board covers, fire blankets)
• insulating board (ceilings, walls, fire doors, soffits) 
• lagging (insulation on hot or cold water pipes)     
• loose fill insulation (lofts, wall cavities)​

Many asbestos materials have a modern replacement which does not contain asbestos. The replacement often looks identical to the original.

When asbestos-containing materials are exposed to fire, they can release toxic fibres into the air, posing serious health risks to anyone exposed. In particular, mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer linked to asbestos exposure, has a high mortality rate. It is a devastating disease that can affect not only employees but also their families. It is crucial for people to avoid the area containing asbestos when evacuating the building, if possible.

If your building was constructed before the ban on asbestos, it’s important to have a comprehensive asbestos management plan in place. This may involve conducting asbestos surveys, implementing proper asbestos removal and abatement procedures, and providing regular training and education to employees about asbestos awareness and safety measures.

Fire certificates for buildings

You must have a fire certificate for premises such as:

• hospitals, regardless of how many people sleep there
• care or nursing homes, regardless of how many people sleep there
• ports and airport and any building which forms part of these. Including areas used for passenger arrivals and departures from a ship or aircraft
• hostels, tourist accommodation and lodging houses and residential schools, if they either provide sleeping accommodation for:
  • more than 5 people, some of which is above the first floor or below the ground floor
  • ​for more than 40 people
• residential schools

Fire certificates for houses in multiple occupation (HMOs)

If you own or lease buildings occupied by people who do not form a single household, your building may be classed as an HMO and you'll need a fire certificate.
Your building may be an HMO if any of the following apply:

• the building, or part of the building, is owned or leased and has been converted into flats or bedsits
• more than 5 people live in the building and one or more of them sleep below the ground floor or above the first floor
• more than 40 people live in the building on any floor
• more than 1 of the flats or bedsits shares a toilet, bathroom or cooking facilities with another flat or bedsit
• the building has been converted into a block of self-contained flats, of which fewer than 2 thirds are owner-occupied

The Fire Precautions Law

This legislation enforced by the States of Jersey Fire and Rescue Service sets out the type of premises required to have a fire certificate.

How to determine if you need a fire certificate

Use this flow chart to decide if your property is an HMO. If you're not sure, contact the States of Jersey Fire and Rescue Service.

Premises that need a fire certificate are set out in greater detail in the Fire Precautions (Designated Premises) (Jersey) Regulations.
 

Cost and applications

The cost of your application depends on the type of application you're intending to make.

You can find the latest fees here. 

Apply for a fire certificate

Your completed form should be sent to the States of Jersey Fire and Rescue Service.

Renew your fire certificate

All fire certificates must be renewed every 36 months from the date of issue. 

By renewing your fire certificate, we'll know about any significant changes that you've made to your premises, including:

• change of ownership
• change of responsible person in the premises
• change of use
• material or structural changes
   

Cost to renew your fire certificate

The renewal cost is £451. If you've made significant material or structural alterations, you may need to pay further charges.

When to renew your fire certificate

We'll write to you 2 months before you need to renew your certificate. You should return the completed form to us before the date stated in the letter.
You'll be invoiced separately for the renewal fee.
If we do not receive your application form by the stated date, your fire certificate will be considered cancelled. This means you may have to reduce the number of people within your premises until you apply for a new fire certificate.
Failing to return your completed application of renewal by the expiry date will incur a 100% submission penalty which will be added to the standard renewal fee.

Renew your fire certificate
 

Making changes or material alterations to certificated premises

We can inspect premises to see if conditions have changed so much that the means of escape and related fire precautions are no longer adequate.
You must inform the Chief Fire Officer in advance if you plan to make either:

• a material extension of, or material structural alteration to, the premises
• a material alteration in the internal arrangements of the premises or in the furniture or equipment with which the premises are provided

Material alterations are any alteration which would make escape routes and related fire precautions inadequate in relation to the normal conditions of use of the premises as explained to, and seen by, the inspecting officer at the time the fire certificate was issued.

You may not need to inform the Chief Fire Officer each time you want to rearrange the furniture in a room or to redecorate it. You should do so if your proposals involve physical alterations to the means of escape and its associated protection. Even if these are only temporary.

You must also notify the Chief Fire Officer in advance if you plan to begin to keep explosives or highly flammable materials in your premises.

If you intend to make any changes or material alterations to certificated premises, you must advise the Chief Fire Officer by filling in and returning an FPA2 form.

Permission for premises alteration
 

Amending your fire certificate

You must notify the Chief Fire Officer if you become the new owner, occupier or responsible person of certificated premises. 

If the use of the premises changes, such as from tourist accommodation to a different use, you must also notify the Chief Fire Officer. 

Notify us by completing and sending the online FPA3 form.​

Amend fire certificate details
 

Log books

If you're the premises' occupier issued with a fire certificate you're required by law to keep a log book. The log book must include records of:

• testing and maintenance of fire protection equipment
• staff training
• fire drills

The log book must be available for inspection as and when required. Extra pages can be found here. 

The occupier of a premises which has been issued with a Fire Certificate must keep a record of the testing and maintenance of fire protection equipment, and of staff training and fire drills in a Log Book which must be readily available for inspection as and when required.

Extra pages can be found here. 

​​Inspections of licensed premises

We regularly carry out night time inspections to check that premises are safe and that escape routes are fit for use at all times.​
Licensed premises include:

• restaurants
• nightclubs
• public houses (pubs)
• tourist accommodation
   

Apply for an inspection

If you apply for a liquor licence, you'll need an inspection and report by the Fire and Rescue Service under the Licensing (Jersey) Law 1974. 

You'll need to apply for your inspection at least 10 working days before the Parish Assembly at which your application for a liquor licence will be considered. The fee for the inspection and report is detailed in Item 12 here. 

You can apply for an inspection of a licensed premises by completing this form and sending to the States of Jersey Fire and Rescue Service. 
 

Requirements for holding a public entertainment event
 

If you plan to hold an event, you need to apply for a permit from the Bailiff of Jersey.

One of the conditions of the permit is that all reasonable fire and safety precautions are made and maintained according to Fire and Rescue Service regulations.​

We'll carry inspections during performances to check on fire safety measures. This includes checking that adequate escape routes are provided and secure at all times.

Licensing public entertainment

Fireworks regulations and requirements

The sale and handling of fireworks is currently regulated by the Explosives (Jersey) Law 1970.

Article 17 refers to the explosives code of requirements which anyone using or handling explosives must follow. Explosives code of requirements

If you're planning to hold a public or semi-public firework display there are health and safety legal requirements you should be aware of. Find more information on organising a firework display.​

Selling fireworks

Anyone wishing to sell fireworks needs a licence, which can be obtained from the Connetable of the parish from which the fireworks are to be sold.

The States of JErsey Fire and Rescue Service may carry out an inspection of the premises from which the fireworks are to be sold and the storage areas.

You must follow certain requirements to receive a licence.

Importing fireworks

If you wish to import fireworks or any other kind of pyrotechnic device you must apply to the Senior Fire Safety Officer at the Fire and Rescue Service using this form.

Use this form to make a complaint or raise a concern about a fire safety issue.