Fire Safety Investigations
Our expert regulatory lawyers have experience in advising clients on investigations by the Fire Authorities and defending criminal allegations in court. Post-Grenfell these have greater significance and are viewed seriously by the courts with heavy fines (£500k fine/costs in the New Look case) and prison sentences (two separate medium sized hotel cases).
The Fire Safety Order
The ‘Fire Safety Order’ (ie. the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005) puts legal duties on the ‘responsible person’ (under Article 8) who can be a workplace employer, the owner, managing agent, occupier, or other person in control of the premises.
The Responsible Person must put in place fire precautions to reduce the risk of fire and ensure safe escape in the event of a fire, etc.
Under Article 9 the Responsible Person must also ensure a fire Risk Assessment is carried out, by a suitably qualified person, which in many cases also has to be in writing, and needs to be regularly reviewed.
Plus the Responsible Person can have specific duties (under Articles 12-22) re Dangerous Substances, Emergency Routes and Exists, and Detection Devices.
Some of these duties are to do what is ‘Reasonably Practicable’ which is not explained in the Fire Safety Order but has a legal meaning.
There is a legal defence (except for the safety of employees, and dangerous substances) of ‘Due Diligence’ which also is not explained in the Fire Safety Order but is a technical concept that often arises in health & safety cases.
Contact UsFound all the company representatives extremely professional and supportive. They have taken on the case from a previous solicitor and fulfilled all aspects of what I felt was required for an reasonable outcome of the events that I was charged with.
The fire authority and other authorised bodies
Fire Authorities have powers to inspect properties. If they find there is a serious risk to life – they can issue formal Enforcement Notices (setting out specific improvements that must be made) and Prohibition Notices (restricting the use of premises until improvements have been made).
Most enforcement work is carried out by the Fire Authority, but in some situations the Local Authority or Health & Safety Executive undertake the enforcement action.
In higher risk cases, a Fire Authority can issue an Alterations Notice (compels notification of any changes that are planned to the premises that would affect the risk).
Sanctions for a breach of duties
A breach of any of these duties by the Responsible Person or the Risk Assessor is a criminal offence. There are formal Sentencing Guidelines which mean that courts will regard these at least as seriously as other regulatory crimes, such as high risk health & safety cases – and could result in £000,000 fines and prison sentences.
How Richard Nelson LLP Can Help
We can advise and represent you if you have had an inspection, been served with any formal notice, are subject to an investigation, or are being prosecuted in court.
What we do
We can provide advice or representation if you are subject to a Fire Safety investigation, have been served with a formal notice or are subject to any other form of enforcement action such as an Alterations Notice or are defending criminal allegations in court.
Specialist solicitors
Our multidisciplinary team is made up of specialists in a wide range of services, which means you'll always be represented by an expert in your area.
No-strings initial call
Get in touch to arrange a no-obligation, fully confidential call to discuss your case and work out if you want to continue.
Nationwide support
Speak to solicitors in one of our offices throughout England and Wales, or arrange calls and remote meetings.
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Are you interested in Fire Safety Investigations?
Use the form on the right to get in touch with our team and arrange an initial call to discuss your situation. We will use this no-obligation, fully confidential initial call to learn more about your case and help you understand your options going forward.
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