Fire Service voices concerns over fire safety in Welsh pubs
Following a series of recent audits and inspections of licensed premises, officers from North Wales Fire & Rescue Service have expressed their concern over the inadequate levels of fire safety measures they found.
The fire service, which is responsible for enforcing the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, unearthed alarming fire safety deficiencies in the bars, pubs and clubs it inspected. These included problems with fire alarm systems, fire doors, exits and escapes, emergency lighting, fire risk assessments and fire safety training for staff.
As well as explaining how these deficiencies could be putting members of the public in jeopardy, a North Wales Fire & Rescue Service representative outlined what could happen to business owners whose premises aren’t up to standard. Business Education Manager Mark Kassab warned:
“We have the power under the legislation to issue enforcement notices to make responsible persons improve standards and restrict or close the premises where the risk of injury or death from fire is unacceptable.
“We can also ask for the Local Authority to review a licensed premises where we have found significant problems. Failure to comply with the Fire Safety Order can result in prosecution with fines and imprisonment for offences.”
Greggs the bakers fined over fire safety breaches
Greggs the bakers has been fined a total of £50,000 for fire safety breaches at one of its stores in Brentford.
The problems at the Brentford store were uncovered by officers from the London Fire Brigade on a routine audit at the end of 2008. They found that numerous problems with fire exits and fire doors, and also believed that the company’s fire risk assessment and fire training policies needed updating.
The London Fire Brigade claims that a letter notifying Greggs of these breaches and the need for improvements was sent to the company in January 2009, but the recommended changes weren’t made.
At Isleworth Crown Court recently, Greggs plc. was fined fined a total of £50,000 for two separate breaches of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 concerning fire escapes and exits and fire risk assessments. The company was also ordered to pay court costs exceeding £20,000 in total.
Speaking after the verdict, Councillor Brian Coleman of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority said:
“Fire safety is a key part of good business management and responsible persons must comply with their legal obligations under the fire safety order, in order that employees and the general public are as safe as possible from the risk of fire. Failure to comply with the law can, as this case has shown, result in a prosecution.”
Shortage of fire risk assessors in UK
A lack of competent fire risk assessors is causing great concern amongst UK landlords says the Peabody Housing Association.
Landlords are finding it very difficult to find assessors that they can trust to carry out vital safety assessments on their properties.
The claim was made by Robert Groom, Peabody’s fire safety and emergency planning manager, at an event last month in association with the London Fire Brigade. The events main aim was to see how effectively the Regulatory Reform Order of 2005 is being enforced.
Leeds landlord guilty of fire safety breaches
A Yorkshire landlord has pleaded guilty to fire safety breaches at his property in Headingly.
Mr Mushtaq was charged with several breaches of the house in multiple occupation license, including failing to provide adequate fire detection systems. The property, which he rented out to students, also had insufficient fire doors.
Mr Mushtaq was ordered by Leeds Magistrates Court to pay a fine of £2,500 and costs of £2,322.
Hefty fine for Nottingham events organiser
A Nottingham event organiser has been fined £24,000 after failing to adhere to fire safety regulations.
Michael Snow, organiser of a Mansfield car boot fair pleaded guilty to eight breaches of fire safety regulations. Mr Snow appealed and had his fine reduced to around £12,000. He was also given a 6 month suspended sentence and ordered to carry out unpaid work in the community.
The case serves as a reminder that temporary events organisers are bound by the same rules as other business owners and are not exempt from complying with fire safety regulations.