Fire Safety Enforcement Notice Issued To Derbyshire Health Club Following Chlorine Leak
A Derbyshire health club has been issued a fire safety enforcement notice after a chlorine leak earlier this year resulted in several customers being hospitalised. The Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service (DFRS) conducted an inspection of a Health Club and Spa in Long Eaton in January 2025. Following their assessment, a formal enforcement notice was served on 3 February, citing serious shortcomings in the facility’s fire safety measures — including inadequate risk assessments, insufficient emergency routes and exits, and poor staff training.
The enforcement action comes amid an ongoing investigation into the chemical leak that occurred on 7 January, which Erewash Borough Council has confirmed is still under review.
Key Fire Safety Failures Identified
Enforcement notices are issued when fire services identify significant risks that could endanger life. These legal directives outline the required improvements and set deadlines for compliance. Breaching fire safety regulations can result in serious consequences from fines of up to £5,000 for minor infractions, to unlimited fines and prison terms of up to two years for major offences. The notice for the Long Eaton spa has been published on the National Fire Chiefs Council’s Enforcement Register. It lists multiple breaches of The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, including:
- General fire precautions
- Risk assessment deficiencies
- Lack of proper emergency exits and routes
- Inadequate procedures for serious and imminent danger
- Insufficient staff training and information sharing
- Failure to appoint competent safety assistance
- Information Withheld Under FOI
In response to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, DFRS acknowledged holding three pieces of fire safety-related correspondence with the health club. However, it declined to release them, citing data protection, public safety concerns, and the confidentiality of commercial information.
Customer Experiences Raise Alarm
Among those affected by the chlorine leak was a 71-year-old person from Nottinghamshire who required hospital treatment. Recounting their experience, they described fearing for her life while using the spa facilities. Two other individuals, also hospitalised, criticised the health club’s response to the incident. One stated: “Instantly I couldn’t breathe, my lungs were burning.”
Fire Service Statement
A DFRS spokesperson explained the process following such incidents: “After any incident or false alarm at premises regulated under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, our protection department engages with the responsible person. This may include a fire safety audit to assess compliance.”
The fire service did not confirm whether the enforcement notice was directly triggered by the January chlorine leak, but it marks a significant development in the scrutiny surrounding the health club’s safety practices. This case highlights the need for a wider conjoined health and safety approach for all businesses. The mitigation and reduction of risk has to be a number 1 priority for all organisations and stakeholders across all sectors.
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