Property Manager Prosecution Highlights Fire Safety Responsibilities
A property manager has been fined over £22,000 following an investigation by the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS), which uncovered multiple “serious” fire safety violations at a property in Slough. In early 2023, inspectors identified several breaches of fire regulations at the property, located above a high street takeaway.
The Royal Berkshire Fire Authority detailed the violations, which included:
• Absence of a linked fire detection system between the commercial and residential units
• Insufficient emergency lighting
• Inadequate fire doors
• Non-fire-resistant glazing that compromised the emergency escape routes
On Wednesday, 19 June 2014, the defendant appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court and pleaded guilty to six charges under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. They were fined £16,000 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge and prosecution costs, totaling justover £22,600.
Michal Kosierb, Fire Safety Enforcement Lead at RBFRS, commented on the prosecution: “This case demonstrates that businesses must take their fire safety responsibilities seriously. We will act decisively in the interest of public safety when necessary. “Our mission is to help keep businesses, people, and communities safe. We will continue to work with business owners to help them protect themselves and their assets. However, cases like this show that we will enforce compliance with the law when safety is at risk.”
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (SI 2005/1541) is a statutory instrument applicable in England and Wales. The Order places the responsibility on individuals within an organisation to carry out risk assessments to identify, manage and reduce the risk of fire. The Order was made into law on 7 June 2005[1] and came into force on 1 October 2006.
Guidance for businesses is available in the form of 16 government-published documents, with general guidance, a 5-Step Checklist and 12 documents pertaining specifically to a particular type of business premises. On 5 January 2016, responsibility for fire and rescue policy transferred from the Department for Communities and Local Government to the Home Office, who then became responsible for the guidance. The guidance does not normally apply to domestic premises.
This case highlights the need to have expert advice and a focus on fire safety across all areas of property management. SS Systems are experts in the field supporting property managers across many commercial sectors. Don’t let the task of fire safety become a daunting one and use an expert in fire risk assessment by completing the contact form on this page for more information.
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