10th August 2022

Business Owner Fined for Fire Safety Offences

What’s Happened?

The owner of a Bed and Breakfast premises located in Cornwall has recently been prosecuted under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 after Inspectors discovered that it failed to meet essential life safety requirements.

Fire Safety Inspection

An inspection by officers of the Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) identified that the fire detection and warning system installed fell well short of the standards expected in premises providing sleeping accommodation.

Furthermore, the escape routes serving the sleeping accommodation were not adequately protected, with there also being a lack of emergency lighting. It was also revealed that there was no fire risk assessment in place for the property.

A revisit was made to the property some time after the initial inspection by CFRS, but it quickly became apparent that the business owner had failed to review or improve the fire safety deficiencies at the premises. As such he was subsequently serviced with an Enforcement Notice.

In Court

Appearing in court, the company owner was fined £3,840 (reduced from £5,760 due to an early guilty plea), the owner was also ordered to pay costs of £4,537 and a victim surcharge of £190.

Speaking after the prosecution, the Fire Officer involved in the case said ‘When premises do not comply and we believe members of the public are at risk, we will not hesitate to take action to enforce fire safety regulations.’

If you have any queries regarding fire safety or require a fire risk assessment undertaking of your premises, you can get in touch with us on our H&S advice line 0300 303 5228.