Businessman Convicted for Lack of Fire Risk Assessment For a Property

A Businessman was convicted and fined £1,000 for five breaches of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. He was also ordered to pay £5,000 costs plus a victim surcharge of £52, totaling £6,052.

The Businessman rented the property from its owner and went on to sublet it to four individual tenants, without addressing the necessary Fire Safety improvements required by law for a House in Multiple Occupation.

Fire Inspectors visited the property following a complaint concerning the lack of Fire Safety precautions. The inspectors identified several breaches including:

• Apparent lack of a Fire Risk Assessment for the Building
• Inadequate Fire detection and alarm system – several smoke alarms were found in a kitchen drawer!
• The bedroom doors were inadequate and there were no provisions for self-closing devices.
• No window escape from the First Floor
• No portable Firefighting equipment was provided
• Inadequate testing and maintenance of the Fire alarm system and Emergency lighting.

The Businessman ignored an Enforcement Notice, which resulted in legal proceedings.

The Fire and Rescue Service stated “Landlords should recognise that they have a legal responsibility to ensure that any facilities they provide for their tenants have a suitable and sufficient Fire Risk Assessment in place and that it is reviewed regularly… The public should continue to be reassured that legal action will be used when necessary where serious breaches of Fire Safety regulations are identified.”

London Fire Risk Assessments advice to customers: If you are a Landlord it is your responsibility to carry out a Fire Risk Assessment for your Building. If you haven’t got one  - get one or you could be making a very costly mistake.

Tenants – if the Fire Risk Assessment is not on site ask to see it before you sign your contract – there should be a Fire Emergency Plan in London displayed too. It’s your Landlords responsibility to keep you safe from the effects of Fire. If you are unsure and need some advice call us now on 01689 890879 we have a friendly team waiting to help.

If Your Fire Risk Assessment Says "Reduce Your Fire Loading" Then Act Instantly

London Fire Brigade reported on their incident page a ‘Fire in a 20 Storey Block of Flats in Peckham’.

Four fire engines, 21 firefighters and officers dealt with a fire in a block of flats on Wyndham Road in Peckham. A storeroom on the ground floor of the 20 storey block of flats was badly damaged by the blaze.

Two men left the property before the Brigade arrived. They were both suffering from burns and taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service crews. Around 40 residents were evacuated from the block.

The Fire is still under investigation click here to read more.

London Fire Risk Assessments advice to customers: London Property Management Agents/Companies should have a current fire safety risk assessment for their Blocks of Flats. An in-depth fire safety inspection and audit should be carried out and any deficiencies identified should be actioned upon. 

One of the most common deficiencies is Fire loading and in our experience it is this that causes the most contention with Residents.

      (a)Why should we remove the BBQ cylinder from our car parking space

 (b) Why should we remove the petrol canister or 3litre container of oil? 

 (c)Why should we remove all the items stored outside our Front door we don’t want it in the Flat they take up too much room!

  (d)Why can’t we store our Bikes and scooters in the common corridors they aren’t hurting anybody - and so it goes on!

Ignition sources and obstructions in the common areas just make the Risk Factor for the premise higher. Residents should witness a copy of the Fire Risk Assessment for the Building and then hopefully they will take onboard that it is everyone’s responsibility to keep the premise as safe as possible from Fire. If you need a Fire Risk Assessment for your London Block of Flats call us now on 01689 890879.

Halogen Heater Ignites a Sofa in a Maisonette in Canning Town – 7 people escape blaze!!!

The London Fire Brigade reported that seven people escaped from a fire in a block of Maisonettes on Trinity Gardens in Canning Town.

A man and a woman suffering smoke inhalation were treated on scene by London Ambulance Service crews and then taken to hospital; the man also suffered burns. Five more people were treated on scene for smoke inhalation.

Six people from adjacent property also evacuated before the arrival of the Brigade.

Four fire engines and 21 firefighters and officers dealt with the blaze.

The ground and first floor of the five storied property were damaged by the blaze.

The cause of the fire is believed to be accidental, due to a halogen heater igniting a sofa. A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said:

“Portable electric heaters used properly will heat a room brilliantly, but they should never be close to flammable materials. Shockingly over two thirds of fatal fires involving heaters are caused by clothing or furniture being too close. People need to make sure their portable heaters are standing upright and kept well away from clothes, curtains or furniture.”

To read more click here.

London Fire Risk Assessments advice to customers: Accidents happen – but prevention must be the way forward. Think about the positioning or your potable appliances and don’t leave them unattended. In the worse case scenario make sure you know your Fire Emergency Plan London – if you have to get out you need to move quickly. 

The Fire Emergency Plan should be part of you Fire Risk Assessment all London premises should have one. If you don’t call us now as we offer a full Fire Safety Protection Service in the London area and are happy to help! Call now on 01689 890879