What is special about Hertford's buildings?

Hertford is the county town, and it has the buildings to match. Medieval timber frames, Georgian townhouses, old inns, civic offices and a castle share a compact centre where four rivers, the Lea, Beane, Rib and Mimram, meet. Many of the buildings are listed, and the centre is a conservation area.

Beyond the centre are Victorian terraces in Bengeo and elsewhere, newer estates, and the villages of Hertford Heath and Hertingfordbury, all within SG13 and SG14.

How are old townhouses used today?

Georgian and older houses in the centre have often been converted into solicitors' offices, surgeries, studios and flats. A conversion usually keeps its original staircase and rooms, but now has to cope with filing, heaters, computers and members of the public. The assessor will ask how people on the upper floors would get out, and whether the old stair is protected or open to the hall.

If the upper floors are flats and the ground floor is a business, the shared hall and stair need a clear owner, and the entrance doors to the flats count under the Fire Safety Act 2021.

Do listed buildings limit what can be done?

Sometimes. Work that affects a listed building's character can need listed building consent, even for items like doors. Tell the assessor and they can keep recommendations practical. East Hertfordshire Council can advise on consent. Mention any earlier advice from the council, as the assessor may need to work within it.

What about pubs, restaurants and venues?

Hertford has many pubs, restaurants and venues in old premises, and these have to deal with crowds, bars, kitchens and cellars. The assessor will look at how many people the exits can take, whether the alarm is audible over music and how a cellar or kitchen would be shut off from the rest of the building. Where events are held in an upstairs room or a cellar bar, give the largest number of people you expect, so the exits can be checked against it.

What about shared houses?

Landlords of shared houses in Hertford should check with East Hertfordshire Council whether a licence applies. The Fire Safety Order separately covers the shared parts of such houses, and the assessor will usually look at the hall, stairs, landing doors and any detection in those areas.

How does an enquiry from Hertford work?

You fill in a single form.

Who you will hear from

We pass your enquiry to one local fire risk assessor, if one covers your postcode. It is never sent to a list of companies. If nobody covers your postcode, we will tell you and will not pass your details on.