Top 25 Expensive Fines for Fire Safety Breaches

A list of expensive fines given to companies who have been in breach of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

Gurpartap Singh Bhullar is a landlord from Slough, Berkshire. Bhullar appeared at Reading Crown Court in August 2013 facing eight charges of fire safety offences. The charges were brought by the Royal Berkshire Fire Authority after an inspection at a multiple occupancy house.

Fire Safety Breaches

• Failure to take general life precautions for persons sleeping on the premises

• No fire risk assessment in place

• Various fire alarm issues

This sends out a clear message that landlords who persistently ignore their legal obligations, to ensure their premises meet fire safety standards and thereby risk tenants’ safety, will not only be prosecuted but will receive significant financial penalties – David Walden, Royal Berkshire Fire Authority’s fire safety legal support manager

Director of Cumberland Court Limited, Karim Moloo from Middlesex was fined £22,000 by the Warwickshire Justice Centre, Leamington Spa in January 2013 for several breaches of the Regulatory Reform Order (Fire Safety) 2005.

Fire Safety Breaches

• Failing to carry out a sufficient fire risk assessment

• Not fitting suitable fire detectors and alarms

• Having locked and blocked fire exits

• Not having suitable testing arrangements in place for the emergency lighting

• Failing to comply with an enforcement notice issued by West Midlands Fire Service

These were shocking breaches of fire safety laws. I have no doubt that, had there been a fire, the hotel’s staff and guests were at serous risk of being killed or seriously hurt – Denis Murphy, West Midlands Fire Service Fire Safety Legal Officer

Hekmat Kaveh is the owner of one of Britain’s top independent schools. Kaveh owns and manages the £20,000-a-year Abbey College in Malvern, Worcestershire. The owner admitted 15 fire safety breaches when he appeared in court in January 2014. Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service brought the prosecution against Kaveh after inspectors visited the school in March 2011.

Fire Safety Breaches

• Defective smoke alarms in student sleeping areas

• Non-functional fire doors in student sleeping areas

• Inadequate fire risk assessment

Business owners have a clear responsibility to ensure that both the public and their employees are as safe as possible from the risk of fire. – Deputy Chief Officer Richard Lawrence

Mill House Inns (Trading) Limited were former management company of the White Swan, Arundel hotel. A fire broke out in March 2007 and resulting investigations by the Sussex Fire & Rescue Service into the fire revealed a catalogue of poor fire safety management.

Local Magistrates said “company procedures for managing fire safety at the White Swan showed a total disregard for the safety of guests and staff, and that it was fortunate that none of the guests or staff had been killed or seriously injured”.

Fire Safety Breaches

• The fire alarm panel had been switched to ‘silent’ mode

• Staff did not receive adequate fire safety training

• Fire alarms weren’t being tested correctly

• Fire doors were wedged open

• There was no suitable emergency plan

The hotel had the correct fire precautionary arrangements in place, but due to poor management they all became ineffective during the fire – Officer in charge of Community Protection for the fire brigade

B & M are a variety retail company in the UK. The national retailer was convicted of fire safety offences in May 2012.

Fire Protection officers from Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service had visited the B&M Bargains store in Stockwell Gate, Mansfield in June 2011 and found that the fire precautions which should have been provided in the event of a fire were inadequate. The officiers re-visited in October 2011 and discovered that several breaches had been repeated.

Fire Safety Breaches

• Failure to create a suitable and sufficient Fire Risk Assessment

• Fire exits and exit routes obstructed

• Failure to ensure employees received adequate safety training

• Fire doors locked and unable to be used in an emergency

• Exit route led to locked enclosed area

In this case, my officers had previously spent some time ensuring that B&M Retail Ltd was aware of its responsibilities and duties to ensure people’s safety, and it is disappointing that they chose to continue to place people at risk from fire. – Ian Taylor, fire protection group manager at Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service

Trainmerit Limited, who trade locally in Bexhill as Maltby’s Estate Agents were hit with a £28,000 fine after pleading guilty to offences relating to two properties the company managed. Inspections by officers commenced after a fatal fire at one of the properties in May 2011. It was found that other properties managed by Maltby’s revealed significant risk to the lives of occupants.

Fire Safety Breaches

• Inadequate fire protection

• Separation of the escape routes

• Lack of fire alarms and emergency lighting

• Failure to properly manage fire safety arrangements

• Failure to review and implement the significant findings from fire risk assessments

• Failure to comply with an Enforcement Notice.

East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service would like to take this opportunity to remind all managing agents and others with responsibilities for property management, of their legal responsibilities to protect occupants against the risks from fire. – Group Manager Richard Fowler, Head of Business Safety

The Monckton Coke & Chemical Co work in the waste management industry and were convicted of fire safety offences in June 2014. The Sheffield tyre reclamation firm was found to have breached parts of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 following a fire at its premises in which an employee was injured.

Fire Safety Breaches

• Not having a suitable or sufficient risk assessment

• Lack of staff training

• Lack of equipment

Employers must make sure they have adequate plans for dealing with emergency situations and that workers are trained to know what to do when a fire breaks out, in order to best protect themselves. Fire safety is a key part of business management. – Technical Fire Safety Policy and Support Manager, Terry Guthrie

Lancashire based residential care home company DM Care Limited were given a £35,000 fine for breaches of fire safety at The Ambassador Care Home in South Shore. The breaches were discovered after a fire broke out at the property in January 2012. 40 people in the care home had to be led to safety by fire-fighters during the blaze, luckily no one was injured.

Fire Safety Breaches

• Blocking an exit route

• No approved fire protection systems and alarms were in place

The sentencing of DM Care is the culmination of a fire safety inspection in the aftermath of a fire which disclosed significant breaches of fire safety regulations that the prosecuting magistrate said could so easily have resulted in the loss of life. – Paul Ratcliffe, protection support manager for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service

Following a fire at a property in Blackpool in July 2012, landlord Graham Sawings was prosecuted by Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service. The three storey house was made up of three separate dwellings and significant fire safety offences were uncovered.

Fire Safety Breaches

• Fire alarm not working

• Failure to regularly test the fire alarm system

• No proper fire evacuation plan being in place

• Failure to provide fire fighting equipment

• Fire doors not closing properly

The omission of fire safety precautions had the potential to cause death or serious injury to nine people, including children, either living or visiting there when the fire occurred – Group Manager Tony Crook, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service’s northern area community protection manager

Chescombe Ltd owner of Tantons Hotel in Bideford, Devon pleaded guilty to five offences under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. A fire at the hotel in May 2011 in which 55 people were evacuated, including four people who were trapped on the roof of the building and had to be rescued were the grounds for investigation and the resulting prosecution.

Fire Safety Breaches

• Failing to implement the requirements of the fire risk assessment

• Failing to provide adequate fire detection and alarm equipment

• Inadequate fire resisting doors

• Failure to ensure escape routes were kept clear

• Failing to maintain a final exit door and self-closing fire doors

The Judge gave a clear indication that a strong message needed to go out to those that manage and invest in hotels about the importance of fire safety. – Station manager Graham Rooke of Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service

Celebrity hairdresser Daniel Hersheson was found guilty of fire safety offences related to his London West End beauty salon in September 2012. Prosecution started after a member of staff was badly burnt during a fire incident in May 2009.

Fire Safety Breaches

• Failure to assess and provide staff with adequate and regular safety training required for fire accidents

Business owners are responsible for ensuring that both the public and their employees were safe from the risk of fire under the fire safety law – London Fire Brigade’s deputy assistant commissioner for fire safety regulation, Lee Phillpotts

One of Britain’s supermarket giants, Asda Stores Limited were charged at Reading Crown Court for fire safety offences in June 2012 following an inspection by Royal Berkshire Fire Authority at their Slough store in June 2010.

Fire Safety Breaches

• Locked fire exits

• Obstruction of fire escape routes

• Combustible items blocking exit doors

This sends out a clear message that it is not only employers who may be held accountable for fire safety in premises to which the public resort but also those persons holding a duty to take reasonable care such as Managers of premises. And those who ignore their legal obligations, to ensure their premises meet reasonable fire safety standards and thereby place persons at significant to life safety, will not only be prosecuted but will receive significant financial penalties. – Royal Berkshire Fire Authority Fire Safety Legal Support Manager, David Walden

Shavington House Farm in Cheshire landlord, Councillor Brian Silvester was fined at Chester Crown Court for 11 fire safety offences in October 2012. A former tenant had raised concerns about safety breaches at the property.

Fire Safety Breaches

• Broken smoke alarms

• Loose wiring

• Holes in the ceilings

• Combustible materials in the corridors

This was one of the most serious breaches of fire safety regulations in living accommodation we have ever dealt with. – Spokesman from Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service

The London Fire Brigade (LFB) prosecuted care home company Morven Healthcare Limited for shocking fire safety failings at Morven House, in Kenley, Surrey. The company admitted breaking fire safety laws and pleaded guilty to five offences under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order at Croydon Crown Court in May 2014. The home at the time housed 17 residents including elderly people with dementia and disabilities.

Fire Safety Breaches

• Blocked fire exits

• An out-of-date fire risk assessment

• Inadequate fire detection system

• No emergency plan in the event of fire

Families entrust the care of their loved ones to homes such as this one and to find people being put at risk from fire in this way, in places where they should be safe, is truly shocking – LFB’s Deputy Commissioner Rita Dexter

The UK’S largest bakery chain Greggs received a fine after a number of serious fire safety breaches were discovered at one of its outlets. A number of potentially dangerous problems were discovered following investigations at their Brentford in London shop.

Fire Safety Breaches

• Corridors and fire escape exits at least partially obstructed by plastic crates

• A fire exit locked with four strong padlocks

• A locked security door near to the fire exit

In these tough economic times it is important that companies do not take their eye off the ball when it comes to making their business safe from fire. – Councillor Brian Coleman, the chair of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority

Leeds Crown Court fined Poundstretcher, a chain of discounts stores in the United Kingdom for seven offences under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 in October 2005. The offences were found at Poundstretcher’s Castleford store in West Yorkshire.

Fire Safety Breaches

• Failure to take adequate fire precautions for its employees and other relevant people

• Failure to review its fire risk assessment

• Emergency routes and exits blocked

• Inadequate staff training.

The severity of the fines imposed by the court show that companies cannot continue to treat public and staff safety with contempt. The fines are intended to make Poundstretcher take its obligations seriously in the future. – Craig McIntosh, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s director of fire safety

UK Luxury hotel company Hallmark Hotel Group received a fine after putting guests at their Cheshire hotel at serious risk from fire. Firefighters called at the premises in Wilmslow in April 2008 for a routine visit and discovered a catalogue of safety issues. Hallmark Hotel Group were charged with three counts of serious fire safety breaches.

Fire Safety Breaches

• Not a single working fire alarm

• Faulty smoke detectors

• Substandard fire exits

• Staff had not been properly trained in fire safety

Fire safety is a key part of good business management and the Hallmark Hotel Group showed little or no regard for the safety of their guests or employees and the result was a prosecution – Lee Shears, Manager for Community Fire Protection at Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service

London Fire Brigade prosecuted retailer Tesco following a fire in October 2007 and subsequent inspection of a supermarket at Colney Hatch in Barnet. This incident led to concerns about fire safety within the store and it was inspected by the Brigade the day after the fire. Tesco pleaded guilty to five breaches of the RRO (Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005) at Wood Green Crown Court in April 2010.

Fire Safety Breaches

• Failure to ensure escape routes were kept clear

• Inadequate fire separation in the building due to doors being wedged open

Fire safety is a key part of good business management and the general public should feel safe from fire when they are out shopping. London Fire Brigade will continue to take action when businesses, large or small, do not take their fire safety responsibilities seriously. Failure to comply with the law can, as this case has shown, result in a prosecution – London Fire Commissioner Ron Dobson

Letting agent Douglas and Gordon Limited based in London received their fine in July 2011 for failing to act on fire risk assessment. Douglas and Gordon Ltd pleaded guilty to three breaches of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 at Southwark Crown Court. London Fire Brigade carried out an audit of the communal areas after a fire broke out in a block of flats owned by the company.

Fire Safety Breaches

• Failing to act on significant findings

• Failure to make an emergency plan

• Ensuring that fire doors were self-closing

• Failure to install emergency lighting

London Fire Brigade will continue to take action against managing agents, lease owners or landlords who do not take their fire safety responsibilities seriously – Assistant commissioner for fire safety regulation, Steve Turek

The Atomic Weapons Establishment who are responsible for the design, manufacture and support of warheads for the UK’s nuclear deterrent were fined by Reading Crown Court in May 2013. AWE admitted a single breach of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. An employee suffered burns when a fireball erupted in his face at the Aldermaston site in August 2010.

Fire Safety Breaches

• Failing to supply adequate safety clothing

The fire could have caused multiple casualties and it was entirely preventable had better control systems been in place. The failure to instigate such controls was dependent on AWE identifying potential hazards and risks, all of which were well documented, but that simply did not happen. – HSE inspector Dave Norman

The London Fire Brigade secured their biggest ever fine against hotel owner Salim Patel, who put lives at risk by flouting fire safety laws. Salim Patel, the former owner of The Radnor Hotel was issued an enforcement notice requiring that put right the deficiencies uncovered which included:

• inadequate fire detection systems

• inadequate emergency lighting

• missing fire doors

• no fire risk assessment

• evidence the basement storeroom was being used for sleeping

Prosecution commenced after follow up visits to the premises found no action had been taken to correct the situation.

The manager and the sole director of the The Chumleigh Lodge Hotel in Finchley London, had denied 12 charges of neglecting fire safety laws under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 but was found guilty at Blackfriars Crown Court in February 2012. Inspections started after suspicions about the fire safety standards in the hotel after a fire broke out at the hotel in May 2008.

Fire Safety Breaches

• Faulty fire doors

• Lack of smoke alarms in some of the guest-rooms

• Inaccessible escape routes

• Staff had not been trained to an appropriate standard in fire safety awareness

• No evidence of any suitable fire risk assessment was produced

Business owners have a clear responsibility under fire safety law to ensure that both the public and their employees are as safe as possible from the risk of fire. This verdict sends out a clear message that if these responsibilities are ignored, we will not hesitate in prosecuting and people will face serious penalties. – Brian Coleman, Chairman of London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority

British consumer cooperative, The Co-operative Group were in Southampton Crown Court charged with serious fire safety breaches at its store in Shirley Road, Southampton. Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority prosecuted for six breaches of fire safety under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

Fire Safety Breaches

• Failing to maintain the rear emergency exit doors

• A fitted lock requiring a security code on the emergency door

• Fire alarm call point obstruction

• Failing to ensure that the store manager was provided with suitable and sufficient fire safety training

• Failing to ensure that the fire alarm system was being regularly tested

• Failing to ensure a means of early detection of fire

A number of common trends have emerged since the fire safety law came into force in 2006. These include blocked or locked exits, poorly maintained fire escape staircases, lack of staff fire training, storage of combustible materials in boiler rooms, lack of fire alarms, lack of emergency lighting, lack of fire doors, and in far too many cases lack of suitable fire risk assessment – Chief Officer John Bonney of Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service

Multinational oil and gas company Shell International were fined over significant failings in fire safety at the Shell Centre in central London. The energy giant pleaded guilty at Inner London crown court to three breaches of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. It was the largest fine imposed under the law. Two small fires in three weeks at the Shell Centre on York Road, Waterloo prompting investigation.

Fire Safety Breaches

• Blocked escape routes

• Blocked fire exits

• Defective fire doors

• Excessive fire loading

This conviction shows that major companies are not exempt from prosecution and must take their responsibilities under the RRO seriously. – London Fire Commissioner Ron Dobson

British global fashion retailer New Look who have a chain of high street shops in the UK, received the maximum possible fine of £400,000 following a fire that gutted the retailer’s Oxford Street store in 2007. 35 engines and 150 fire-fighters were needed to tackle the blaze and crews remained at the scene for the three days. Trade was disrupted at more than 50 Oxford Street shops. New Look pleaded guilty to two breaches of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 following prosecution by the London Fire Brigade.

Fire Safety Breaches

• Insufficient staff training

• Storage blocking escape routes

Good business management includes taking responsibility for fire safety, knowing the law and acting on it. This conviction shows that large companies are not exempt from prosecution and that the London Fire Brigade will take action when businesses do not take their fire safety responsibilities seriously. Failure to comply with the law can, as this case has shown, result in a substantial fine. – Councillor Brian Coleman AM FRSA, chairman of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority