A fire safety certificate is not required for a single dwelling house, but it is required for apartments, most commercial and public buildings, and for material alterations or changes of use to such buildings.
The exemption applies to houses, so a one-off dwelling, an extension to a house or an attic conversion in a house does not need an FSC — but Part B of the building regulations still applies in full.
Where a house is converted into apartments or bedsits, or a building changes use to a purpose group that requires a certificate, an application to the building control authority is required before works start.