London Fire Brigade prosecutes a Finchley based restaurateur over Fire Safety!

 

The owner of a Finchley restaurant was arrested as he tried to leave the country on holiday, after ‘persistently failing to address Fire Safety failings.’

London Fire Brigade noted that the leaseholder of the Restaurant was prosecuted after a series of failures from 2011 onwards. That year, Fire Safety Officers fro the London Fire Brigade visited the restaurant after a kitchen Fire, finding a number of serious failings including a defective Fire Alarm, wedged open or poorly fitted Fire Doors and inadequate escape routes.

After follow up visits, Officers found that none of the Fire Safety failings identified had been addressed; an Enforcement Notice was issued requiring the necessary works to be completed within a month. In July 2012, Inspectors received information that people were sleeping on the premise. They visited again and found that the same Fire Safety deficiencies remained unaddressed while a ground floor exit was blocked by an electricity generator.

At this point, the Officers decided the issues were serious enough that they presented a serious risk to life in the event of a Fire, with a Prohibition Notice issued for residential use of the premises. Legal action began last year against the Owner and initially he failed to attend court, with a warrant issued.  He remained at large until his arrest at an airport this year as he set off for a short break.

He pleaded guilty to six Fire Safety offences and was handed a six moth suspended prison sentence, as well as being ordered to complete 80 hours of community service, in addition to paying £10,000 in prosecution costs. The offences he pleaded guilty to included failures to:

·         Have a Fire Risk Assessment Completed

·         Have a suitable Fire Alarm

·         Ensure Emergency exits were clear

·         Ensure a protected Fire Escape

·         Have Fire Doors installed

·         Maintain Fire Safety Equipment

·         Comply with the Enforcement Notice.

The Assistant Commissioner for Fire Safety at London Fire Brigade, commented “The Owner persistent refusal to address the concerns of our Fire Safety Officer meant that the restaurant and floors above it were nothing short of a ‘death trap’ putting the lives of all those working and sleeping there at risk if ever a Fire had broken out.”

“This is the First case we have prosecuted where the issuing of a warrant has resulted in the defendant being arrested and it should send a strong message that where we find business owners not taking their Fire Safety responsibilities seriously, we will do all we can to ensure they are brought to book and prosecuted”.

With the delivery of such a strong message from the London Fire Brigade all London Restaurants should take their Fire Safety responsibilities seriously. The first thing to check – is there a current Fire Safety Assessment in place. If not then one of the best places to search for a ‘Qualified’ Assessor is the Institution of Fire Engineers – they have a Risk Assessors Register on their website. All you need to do is put in your postcode and a list of ‘Qualified’ Assessors will come up in your area.

Once you have appointed a Fire Safety Risk Assessor they will carry out a thorough Inspection/Audit of the premise. They will identify any deficiencies and outline them in the Fire Safety Risk Assessment.

London Fire Risk Assessments are an independent Fire Risk Consultancy based in London and their core business is Fire Safety Risk Assessments. If you have any Fire Safety concerns or need to book a Fire Safety Inspection and Audit then call them now on 01689 890879 or click here for a free quotation.

 

A Chip Pan Left Unattended Became the Cause of a Fire Break in a Block of Flats in Kilburn, London

Part of a maisonette on the fourth and fifth floors of the block was damaged by fire, which was caused by an unattended chip pan.

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “You should never leave cooking unattended – if you have to leave the room, turn the heat off before you do.”

To help prevent a fire whilst cooking here are just a few tips:

· Avoid leaving cooking unattended
· Don’t cook if you are tired, if you have been drinking alcohol or taking medication that might make you drowsy
· Keep cloths away from the cooker and hob
· Keep the oven, hob, cooker hood and grill clean to avoid a build-up of fat and grease
· Use a spark device to light gas cookers
· Double check the cooker and hob are turned off when you have finished cooking
· Check toasters are clean and placed away from anything that can catch fire
· Never put anything metal in a microwave
· Never use a barbecue indoors or on a balcony

Make sure that your home is fitted with a working heat detector in your Kitchen and smoke alarms in rooms that you regularly use and in the hallways.


If the worst happens and an accidental fire occurs then it is of paramount importance you know your Emergency Plan so you can get out of your flat safely.


If you live in a Block of Flats you should have a current Fire Safety Risk Assessment for the communal areas of your premise. At this time Fire Safety is at the forefront of peoples minds and it is up to the appointed ‘Responsible Person’ to ensure that a Fire Safety Inspection and Audit has been carried out by a ‘Qualified’ Fire Risk Assessor.


The best place to search for a ‘Qualified’ Assessor is the Institution of Fire Engineers – they have a Risk Assessors Register on their website. All you need to do is put in your postcode and a list of ‘Qualified’ Assessors will come up in your area.

London Fire Risk Assessments are an independent Fire Risk Consultancy based in London and their core business is Fire Safety Risk Assessments. If you have any Fire Safety concerns or need to book a Fire Safety Inspection and Audit then call them now on 01689 890879 or click here for a free quotation.

A Fire in a Purpose Built Block of Flats in London was caused by a portable heater left on overnight!

London Fire Brigade issued a warning to all residents to take extra care when using portable heaters.

Portable heaters should not be left on overnight and electrical appliances should be unplugged at night too.

Some Fire Safety tips for using portable heaters:

• ·         Secure heaters against a wall to stop them falling over – or fit wall-mounted heaters
• ·         Keep heaters away from clothes, curtain and furniture
• ·         Sit at least one metre away from a heater as it could set light to your clothes or chair, especially if you fall asleep
• ·         Always turn off heaters and allow them to cool down before you move them.

To read more:

London Fire Risk Assessments advice to clients:

It’s important to ensure that electrical appliances are used safely and it is your responsibility to check that the appliance is in good working order – PAT (Portable Appliance Test) is recommended.

Electrical appliances within the communal areas of a purpose built block of flats should be tested in accordance with the recommendation of the Fire Risk Assessment for the Building.

Every purpose built block of flats in London should have an up to date Fire Risk Assessment. Electrics, Lighting and Heating are just a few high risk areas that are covered by the Assessment, and it is essential that the Responsible Person addresses the recommendations of the Fire Risk Assessment for the Building.

If you need a Company that provide Fire Protection Safety Services in London go to the Institution of Fire Engineers. On their Home Page you will find a Risk Assessors Register all you do is put in your postcode and a list of ‘Qualified’ Assessors will come up in your area.

London Fire Risk Assessments are a Fire Safety Consultancy and members of the Institution of Fire Engineers they offer a range of Fire Protection Safety Services in London with their core business being Fire Risk Assessment and Fire Safety Training in the London area. To find out more or to get a free quotation contact their friendly team on 01689 890879 or click here.

A Fire Risk Assessment on Time Could have Saved The Warehouse Fire in Southall, London

London Fire Brigade are still investigating the cause of the Fire but with the spotlight on Fire Safety all  London Factories, Warehouses and Workshops should have an up to date Fire Safety Risk Assessment for their premise.

After the Grenfell Fire everyone realises just how quickly a Fire can consume a Building and how devastating the outcome.  Fire Safety is now in the forefront of people’s minds and the days of looking for a quick, cheap - tick box Fire Safety solution has passed.

‘Responsible Persons’ should now be looking for ‘qualified’ Fire Safety Companies who can provide a ‘suitable and sufficient’ Fire Safety Risk Assessment – even your insurance may become void if you do not have one.

With regards to Factories, Warehouses and Workshops there is a responsibility not only to protect you premise from Fire – you have Staff, Visitors and perhaps the general Public to protect too. Firstly the ‘Responsible Person’ should check that their Fire Safety Risk Assessment is up to date and Secondly, that all their Staff are trained in Fire Safety.

If you are looking for a Fire Safety Company that provides London with a Fire Protection Service then contact London Fire Risk Assessments. They are an independent Company (not affiliated to any Fire Protection Equipment Supplier) and their core business is Fire Risk Assessments. They are in a position to provide you with unbiased, professional Fire Safety advice.

London Fire Risk Assessments are also members of the Institution of Fire Engineers and are fully insured to do the job! Two very important questions to ask when looking for a third party competent person.

Call London Fire Risk Assessments now on 01689 890879 and have a chat with their friendly team alternatively click here for a free quotation.

If You Have A Property In London Then LFRA, A Reputed Fire Safety Consultancy In London Can Help You With Fire Safety Solutions.

When taking on major projects such as a complete refurbishment, which changes how the Building is used, or designing a completely new Building then it is always best to engage a Fire Safety Consultancy for your London project at design stage.

Why? You may well ask – because you will engage a competent pair of eyes that is specifically looking at the overall Fire Safety element of the project. It is easier and more cost effective to alter you design at this early stage rather than when the project is about to be signed off.

London Fire Risk Assessments are a Fire Safety Consultancy based in London and are happy to assist you in this. All you need to do is send your drawings across information@londonfireriskassessments.co.uk and one of our Consultants will take a cursory look and provide you with a free quotation of our services.

Contact us now on 01689 890879 alternatively click here and one or our friendly team will get back to you. 

Fire Safety Training Is of Utmost Importance to Ensure Safety of People Within Residential Areas and Workplace.

The main objective of London Fire Risk Assessments Fire Marshal course is to deliver a better understanding of human behavior and to enable Staff to be able to carry out the duties of a Marshal, in an Emergency situation.

The course also gives Delegates a better understanding of Fire and gives them the awareness of how to limit the effects of Fire and prevent one from happening.

From the Fire Marshal course Delegates will be able to recognize and understand both active and passive Fire Safety measures and be able to identify Fire Safety provisions such as Fire Alarm and Detection systems, Fixed Installations and Portable Fire fighting appliances.

The course gives Delegates a more in depth understanding of the Fire Emergency Plan for their London premise and offer guidance and techniques in carrying them out.

If your Fire Safety Training is out of date contact London Fire Risk Assessments now and book a half-day training session for up to 10 people!

Call our friendly team on 01689 890879 or click here