Page 1466 - Xmo Strata - Bulletin Archive

2. Multinational chemical & gas business receives a £300,000 fine

A Multinational chemical and gas company were fined over significant failings in fire safety at their London
Offices. They pleaded guilty to three breaches of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005

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

3. A High Street food retailer receives a £210,000 fine
This company were 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.