Successful Prosecution following breach of Fire Safety Legislation

Hampshire Fire & Rescue Service has successfully prosecuted ATS Euromaster from Southampton for inadequate fire safety standards under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

ATS Euromaster was taken to court following a visit to the Southampton property by the Hampshire Fire & Rescue Service Fire Safety Officers.  On their inspection they had found major contraventions of fire safety measures inside the building.

The findings included:

Not providing any lighting in an escape route (£2000 fine).
Insufficient fire safety training for the manager (£1500 fine).
Not having carried a suitable fire risk assessment (£1000 fine).
Obstruction of a fire exit (£2000 fine).
Failure to provide adequate means of giving warning in case of fire (£1000 fine).

Assistant Chief Officer Steve Hamm, Head of the Community Safety for Hampshire Fire & Rescue Service said:

“This case clearly demonstrates how our fire safety officers are successfully inspecting buildings and applying the law to help ensure the safety of our community and making Hampshire safer”.

He also said “We work closely with businesses to help them with their duty to comply under the Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order, but where their responsibilities are not taken seriously, the Fire Service will always consider prosecution”.
“We would like this case to act as a timely reminder to business owners and landlords throughout Hampshire that the Fire Safety Order is in place. The safety of the public is our primary concern”.

ATS Euromaster pleaded guilty to the five charges at Southampton Magistrates Court on 2 November.