Office and Home: Keep Safe this Christmas
The addition of Christmas decorations (though temporary) alters your fire risk assessment and potential fire hazards. To help you enjoy a happy and SAFE Christmas IFEDA has produced the following tip sheet: it could save your life.
Check that your smoke alarms are in perfect working order - can you remember the last time you changed the battery?
Have your portable fire extinguishers been serviced within the last twelve months WILL THEY WORK WHEN YOU NEED THEM and are your staff trained in their use?
Never remove batteries from smoke alarm to use in office equipment or children’s toys
Christmas Trees
* Place real Christmas trees securely in a sturdy base filled with water and check water level daily – metal/clamp stands cause trees to dry out and become flammable
* Keep tree away from candles, heaters, fireplaces or other heat sources
* Dispose of tree properly – never burn a real Christmas tree in the fireplace – due to highly
flammable resin/sap.
* Ensure artificial trees have been pre-treated (look for the British standard) to increase flame resistance
Christmas Lights
* Only buy Christmas lights marked with a British safety standard
* If using last years lights, make sure a competent person checks all connections and examines the wires for fraying - If in doubt, throw them out.
* Don’t overload sockets
* Unplug all Christmas lights and electrical appliances before leaving your home or going to bed.
* Ensure outdoor lights are suitable for outdoor use and are marked with a British standard
* Check all wiring and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
* Fasten the bulbs securely and point the sockets down to avoid moisture building up.
* Never use indoor extension leads outside and keep outdoor electrical connections above ground and out of puddles and snow.
* Ensure outside trees hung with Christmas lights are not touching power/phone lines.
Candles/ T Lights
* Keep them out of reach of children and pets
* If necessary, trim the wick to each time before burning
* Always use an appropriate candleholder placed on a stable, heat-resistant surface
* Keep burning candles away from drafts, vents and air currents
* Extinguish a candle if it smokes or flickers repeatedly or if the flame becomes too high
* Keep the wax pool free of wick trimmings, matches and debris at all times
* Do not burn a candle for longer than manufacturer recommends
* Extinguish the flame if it comes too close to the holder or container
* Never place a candle on top of a TV set and keep well away from curtains and decorations.
* Always extinguish candles before leaving the office/house or going to bed
* Remember hot wax burns!
If you have any questions or concerns about your Fire Safety (at work or home) including Fire alarms – Portable Fire Equipment and/or your workplace Risk-Assessment please check out www.ifeda.org/regions.htm for a list of companies near you who can help.
Friday 18 December 2009
New Extinguisher Staff?
For those of you taking on staff in the New Year, I have two places left on our 3 day (BAFE approved) initial fire extinguisher technician training course commencing 19th Jan in Fareham.
For course info and syllabus please see www.ifeda.org/training
For course info and syllabus please see www.ifeda.org/training
Extra training date - refresher course
Please note I have added another one day extinguisher technician (BAFE approved) training course on Tuesday 23rd Feb at our Stockport training centre. Course details and syllabus can be found at www.ifeda.org/training
Fire inspection leads to £7,500 fine - Ignorance is no excuse!
ATS Euromaster, in Southampton, has been fined £7,500 after pleading guilty to charges relating to inadequate fire safety standards under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
Proceedings were brought following a visit to the Southampton premises by Hampshire Fire and Rescue Services Fire Safety Officers, who found significant contraventions of fire safety measures within the building. These included:
Obstruction of a fire exit (£2,000 fine);
Failure to provide lighting in an escape route (£2,000 fine);
Insufficient fire safety training for the manager (£1,500 fine);
Failure to provide adequate means of giving warning in case of fire (£1,000 fine); and
Not having carried out a suitable fire risk assessment (£1,000 fine).
Speaking after the case, Assistant Chief Officer Steve Hamm, Head of Community Safety for Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, said:
“We would like this case to act as a timely reminder to business owners and landlords that the Fire Safety Order is in place. The safety of the public is our primary concern.
The Service believes that this prosecution, together with the scale of the fine, gives a clear message to members of the business community of the need to understand their responsibilities and to comply with fire safety law.”
The company pleaded guilty to the five charges at Southampton Magistrates’ Court on 2 November. Sentencing took place on Monday, 14 December before District Judge Callaway.
A spokesman for ATS Euromaster said:
“We have a strong health and safety record and are clearly disappointed with this isolated incident which occurred over two years ago. We treat matters such as this very seriously and took immediate steps to address the issues raised.”
Proceedings were brought following a visit to the Southampton premises by Hampshire Fire and Rescue Services Fire Safety Officers, who found significant contraventions of fire safety measures within the building. These included:
Obstruction of a fire exit (£2,000 fine);
Failure to provide lighting in an escape route (£2,000 fine);
Insufficient fire safety training for the manager (£1,500 fine);
Failure to provide adequate means of giving warning in case of fire (£1,000 fine); and
Not having carried out a suitable fire risk assessment (£1,000 fine).
Speaking after the case, Assistant Chief Officer Steve Hamm, Head of Community Safety for Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, said:
“We would like this case to act as a timely reminder to business owners and landlords that the Fire Safety Order is in place. The safety of the public is our primary concern.
The Service believes that this prosecution, together with the scale of the fine, gives a clear message to members of the business community of the need to understand their responsibilities and to comply with fire safety law.”
The company pleaded guilty to the five charges at Southampton Magistrates’ Court on 2 November. Sentencing took place on Monday, 14 December before District Judge Callaway.
A spokesman for ATS Euromaster said:
“We have a strong health and safety record and are clearly disappointed with this isolated incident which occurred over two years ago. We treat matters such as this very seriously and took immediate steps to address the issues raised.”
Thursday 17 December 2009
High street retailer receives record fine following blaze
The high street retailer New Look has been fined £400,000 and ordered to pay £136,052 in costs after pleading guilty to serious breaches of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (the “RRO”).
It is the largest fine to date under the RRO.
London Fire Brigade prosecuted New Look following a serious fire at their Oxford Street store on 26 April 2007. Thirty fire engines and around 150 firefighters were needed to tackle the blaze and crews remained at the scene for the next three days. The first call to the Brigade was from an office worker in an adjacent building. This delay meant that when crews arrived the fire had already developed and had broken through the second floor windows. Despite the building’s fire alarm sounding, it was reset on at least one occasion.
Over 450 people evacuated from the store and surrounding premises. A significant amount of Oxford Street was closed to traffic and the public which resulted in businesses being closed for a further two days after the blaze.
Following the fire, the Brigade carried out several fire safety inspections at the premises and found a substantial number of breaches of fire legislation. The most serious of these was an inadequate fire risk assessment which was found to have a number of failures, including no record of appropriate fire procedures such as the correct one to adopt when the fire alarm is activated.
The RRO requires the responsible person (in a workplace, the employer) to carry out a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment and act on its findings.
Another significant breach was the insufficient training of staff which led to a delayed evacuation of the premises and staff being ill-prepared to respond to a fire or fire alarm signal. Staff did not use the appropriate fire exits to evacuate the public which meant that approximately 150 people were evacuated through the main entrance which was directly underneath the fire on the second floor
Other serious deficiencies included all of the basement fire exits being unavailable to members of staff and the public due to the failure of an interface between the swipe card system and the fire alarm. The swipe card system should have been connected to the fire alarm system and have deactivated the doors. The building was also found to have significant storage in escape routes on all floors.
Councilor Brian Coleman, Chairman of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority, said: “Good business management includes taking responsibility for fire safety, knowing the law and acting on it. This conviction shows that large companies are not exempt from prosecution and that London Fire Brigade will take action when businesses do not take their fire safety responsibilities seriously. Failure to comply with the law can, as this case has shown, result in a substantial fine.”
Sentencing of New Look took place at Southwark Crown Court on 25 November 2009 after they pleaded guilty to two breaches of the RRO.
It is the largest fine to date under the RRO.
London Fire Brigade prosecuted New Look following a serious fire at their Oxford Street store on 26 April 2007. Thirty fire engines and around 150 firefighters were needed to tackle the blaze and crews remained at the scene for the next three days. The first call to the Brigade was from an office worker in an adjacent building. This delay meant that when crews arrived the fire had already developed and had broken through the second floor windows. Despite the building’s fire alarm sounding, it was reset on at least one occasion.
Over 450 people evacuated from the store and surrounding premises. A significant amount of Oxford Street was closed to traffic and the public which resulted in businesses being closed for a further two days after the blaze.
Following the fire, the Brigade carried out several fire safety inspections at the premises and found a substantial number of breaches of fire legislation. The most serious of these was an inadequate fire risk assessment which was found to have a number of failures, including no record of appropriate fire procedures such as the correct one to adopt when the fire alarm is activated.
The RRO requires the responsible person (in a workplace, the employer) to carry out a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment and act on its findings.
Another significant breach was the insufficient training of staff which led to a delayed evacuation of the premises and staff being ill-prepared to respond to a fire or fire alarm signal. Staff did not use the appropriate fire exits to evacuate the public which meant that approximately 150 people were evacuated through the main entrance which was directly underneath the fire on the second floor
Other serious deficiencies included all of the basement fire exits being unavailable to members of staff and the public due to the failure of an interface between the swipe card system and the fire alarm. The swipe card system should have been connected to the fire alarm system and have deactivated the doors. The building was also found to have significant storage in escape routes on all floors.
Councilor Brian Coleman, Chairman of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority, said: “Good business management includes taking responsibility for fire safety, knowing the law and acting on it. This conviction shows that large companies are not exempt from prosecution and that London Fire Brigade will take action when businesses do not take their fire safety responsibilities seriously. Failure to comply with the law can, as this case has shown, result in a substantial fine.”
Sentencing of New Look took place at Southwark Crown Court on 25 November 2009 after they pleaded guilty to two breaches of the RRO.
Monday 14 December 2009
Another IFEDA First for the Fire Industry
Not only is the new edition of the IFEDA Service Manual now available on CD-Rom, as another IFEDA first for the fire industry it is now possible for IFEDA members' technicians (whilst on the road) to access the manual and all the servicing information it contains via IFEDA’s brand new INTRANET.
As long as your technicians have a suitable device to access the web and you have signed them up for a password, they can now call up the manual without having to phone in and find someone to load up the office cd version PLUS they can also access relevant technical memos and other equally useful documents such as the IFEDA guide to contract maintenance recently rewritten to take into account BS5306-3 : 2009 PLUS there is also a technicians forum available where they can discuss various topics or find the answers to those ‘burning’ questions saving you time and money with less down time —help is just a web enabled phone away.
IFEDA: concentrating on quality and delivering - we leave price gimmicks to others
As long as your technicians have a suitable device to access the web and you have signed them up for a password, they can now call up the manual without having to phone in and find someone to load up the office cd version PLUS they can also access relevant technical memos and other equally useful documents such as the IFEDA guide to contract maintenance recently rewritten to take into account BS5306-3 : 2009 PLUS there is also a technicians forum available where they can discuss various topics or find the answers to those ‘burning’ questions saving you time and money with less down time —help is just a web enabled phone away.
IFEDA: concentrating on quality and delivering - we leave price gimmicks to others
IFEDA Training 2010
IFEDA's training diary for 2010 re (BAFE recognized) fire extinguisher initial and refresher training as well as hose reels is now available via www.ifeda.org/training
Not shown there are extra refresher courses in Cornwall 13th 14th May and Middlesborough DTBC
Please contact info@ifeda.org for details etc
Not shown there are extra refresher courses in Cornwall 13th 14th May and Middlesborough DTBC
Please contact info@ifeda.org for details etc
Monday 2 November 2009
Fire hose reels - demand exceeds supply!
Due to an urgent request IFEDA will be running a further fire hose reel re the requirements of BS671-3: 2000. The course runs for one day and finishes with a written exam. It will take place at our Stockport training centre on Friday 11th December and costs just £285 per person for non IFEDA members (£255 for members).
So if you have ever wondered why you are not covering this area of business - how often a hose reel should be checked - how large an area one hose reel covers or any other general hose reel question this is the course for you.
Please contact grahamferris@ifeda.org in the first instance.
So if you have ever wondered why you are not covering this area of business - how often a hose reel should be checked - how large an area one hose reel covers or any other general hose reel question this is the course for you.
Please contact grahamferris@ifeda.org in the first instance.
Friday 7 August 2009
Latest breach of RRO
‘Death trap’ Accrington hostel landlord is rapped
1:21pm Friday 7th August 2009
A LANDLORD has been prosecuted for keeping a hostel described by firefighters as “a deathtrap”.
After problems were reported to Lancashire Fire and Rescue, fire safety specialists discovered hazards in the building in Blackburn Road, Accrington.
These included piles of rubbish in front of fire escape doors, which were also jammed shut.
Investigators judged the premises were so dangerous that people living there would be in grave danger if a fire broke out.
They immediately imposed a prohibition notice which meant no one was allowed on the premises.
Hazards also included fire extinguishers on display that were not working and which had previously been discharged as well as disconnected fire alarms.
John Cairns, fire safety officer with Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said: “Premises providing sleeping accommodation such as hotels, guest houses and care homes must make fire risk assessment a high priority.
“The risk of people being hurt or injured in a fire are much greater when they are asleep. The public have a right to expect safety at places they have paid to sleep.”
Landlord Jemshad Ahmed, 35, pleaded guilty at Hyndburn Magistrates’ Court to seven breaches of fire safety rules.
He was fined £670 per offence and ordered to pay court costs in full, more than £7,000 in total.
Lancashire’s Chief Fire Officer Peter Holland said: “We are delighted that the magistrate has agreed with our assessment that the property was a death trap.”
Businesses needing help understanding fire safety law can contact find a list a suitable companies at www.ifeda.org
Wednesday 5 August 2009
Fire Awareness Course 'train the trainer'
Judging by the number of phone calls we get at the national office there is a great need for trainers to train the responsible person and or fire marshals - this course will give you the basic information and skills to do just that.
Please see www.ifeda.org/training.htm
Just £540 for members and £640 for non members. The cost includes all aspects of tuition including exam/certificate, refreshements and a buffet lunch each day: it does not include accommodation
Please see www.ifeda.org/training.htm
Just £540 for members and £640 for non members. The cost includes all aspects of tuition including exam/certificate, refreshements and a buffet lunch each day: it does not include accommodation
Monday 3 August 2009
Watch out! Norwich landlords warned of fire risks
Landlords in Norwich who put the lives of tenants at risk by not maintaining smoke and fire alarms will be prosecuted, council chiefs have warned today.
It comes as landlord James Abergel was fined £1,000 at Norwich Magistrates Court following a fire at a bedsit property in Rosary Road, Norwich, where the fire alarm was switched off because it was malfunctioning. Abergel, 77, from Denbigh Road, pleaded guilty before city magistrates to four offences under housing management regulations. He was also ordered to pay £100 costs and a victim surcharge of £15. The court heard how Abergel had switched off the building's fire detection system because it was malfunctioning. He had then failed to switch it back on or call in the alarm maintenance company to fix the problem.Three fire crews were called to the fire at about 1.40am on February 13.Today, Ellen Alder, team leader for private sector housing at Norwich City Council, said she hoped Abergel's fine would be a warning to other landlords. “Thank goodness no-one was hurt and it was quite a small fire - it could have been extremely serious. The person whose room it was was out at the time but there were tenants in the building who had to escape.”Susan Smith, investigating officer, added that the council was currently investigating a number of cases where the landlord had not maintained or put in the correct fire detection system. “Putting tenants at risk is unacceptable and there is no excuse for not installing or maintaining fire alarms,” she said. A tenant of the fire-hit property on Rosary Road, who moved in shortly after the fire, said fire doors and alarms had been fitted. “I like it here, it's a safe place,” he said.Mike McCarthy, deputy chief fire officer, for Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service, said: “While many people now have good working smoke alarms installed, worryingly, there are many who still do not and who are running the dreadful risks associated with a fire in their home. Make sure your home has working smoke alarms and that you check them regularly.”
It comes as landlord James Abergel was fined £1,000 at Norwich Magistrates Court following a fire at a bedsit property in Rosary Road, Norwich, where the fire alarm was switched off because it was malfunctioning. Abergel, 77, from Denbigh Road, pleaded guilty before city magistrates to four offences under housing management regulations. He was also ordered to pay £100 costs and a victim surcharge of £15. The court heard how Abergel had switched off the building's fire detection system because it was malfunctioning. He had then failed to switch it back on or call in the alarm maintenance company to fix the problem.Three fire crews were called to the fire at about 1.40am on February 13.Today, Ellen Alder, team leader for private sector housing at Norwich City Council, said she hoped Abergel's fine would be a warning to other landlords. “Thank goodness no-one was hurt and it was quite a small fire - it could have been extremely serious. The person whose room it was was out at the time but there were tenants in the building who had to escape.”Susan Smith, investigating officer, added that the council was currently investigating a number of cases where the landlord had not maintained or put in the correct fire detection system. “Putting tenants at risk is unacceptable and there is no excuse for not installing or maintaining fire alarms,” she said. A tenant of the fire-hit property on Rosary Road, who moved in shortly after the fire, said fire doors and alarms had been fitted. “I like it here, it's a safe place,” he said.Mike McCarthy, deputy chief fire officer, for Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service, said: “While many people now have good working smoke alarms installed, worryingly, there are many who still do not and who are running the dreadful risks associated with a fire in their home. Make sure your home has working smoke alarms and that you check them regularly.”
Friday 31 July 2009
RRO know your duty!
Sonning landlord fined for fire safety breaches
July 31, 2009
A Sonning landlord has been fined £2,500 for putting tenants’ lives at risk after failing to take adequate fire safety precautions.
Peter Lewin appeared before Reading Magistrates on Thursday, July 9, when he was prosecuted by Royal Berkshire Fire Authority on two charges relating to a home at South View Avenue in Caversham.
Mr Lewin, of South Drive, admitted two charges of placing people at serious risk of death or serious injury from fire, after failing to ensure adequate fire safety arrangements were in place and failing to provide an appropriate fire alarm at the property.
He was fined £500 for a lack of fire safety arrangements and a further £2,000 for the fire alarm charge.
Mr Lewin was also ordered to pay £3,500 in costs.
The charges were brought against Mr Lewin, under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, after fire safety inspectors visited the house in South View Avenue in 2007.
The house was rented out to various tenants at the time and inspectors deemed the fire safety precautions inadequate and issued an enforcement notice demanding improvements.
The court heard how a second visit to the property in March last year found three of the required improvements were still not in place.
In summing up the case, District Judge Pritchard took
into account the fact Mr Lewin had carried out a fire risk assessment, as required by law, but had failed to provide an appropriate fire system – putting residents at risk.
The court granted Mr Lewin 12 months to pay the fines and costs, but warned he could face a six-month prison sentence if he failed to pay in time.
David Walden, technical manager for Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “This case illustrates the seriousness with which courts regard a failure to address fire safety in commercial premises.
“Those responsible for fire safety on their premises must take their responsibilities seriously – the law is clear on what is expected.
“Fire and rescue services are no longer required to issue fire safety certificates but we do carry out rigorous inspection programmes of commercial premises to ensure they are meeting the required standards.”
July 31, 2009
A Sonning landlord has been fined £2,500 for putting tenants’ lives at risk after failing to take adequate fire safety precautions.
Peter Lewin appeared before Reading Magistrates on Thursday, July 9, when he was prosecuted by Royal Berkshire Fire Authority on two charges relating to a home at South View Avenue in Caversham.
Mr Lewin, of South Drive, admitted two charges of placing people at serious risk of death or serious injury from fire, after failing to ensure adequate fire safety arrangements were in place and failing to provide an appropriate fire alarm at the property.
He was fined £500 for a lack of fire safety arrangements and a further £2,000 for the fire alarm charge.
Mr Lewin was also ordered to pay £3,500 in costs.
The charges were brought against Mr Lewin, under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, after fire safety inspectors visited the house in South View Avenue in 2007.
The house was rented out to various tenants at the time and inspectors deemed the fire safety precautions inadequate and issued an enforcement notice demanding improvements.
The court heard how a second visit to the property in March last year found three of the required improvements were still not in place.
In summing up the case, District Judge Pritchard took
into account the fact Mr Lewin had carried out a fire risk assessment, as required by law, but had failed to provide an appropriate fire system – putting residents at risk.
The court granted Mr Lewin 12 months to pay the fines and costs, but warned he could face a six-month prison sentence if he failed to pay in time.
David Walden, technical manager for Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “This case illustrates the seriousness with which courts regard a failure to address fire safety in commercial premises.
“Those responsible for fire safety on their premises must take their responsibilities seriously – the law is clear on what is expected.
“Fire and rescue services are no longer required to issue fire safety certificates but we do carry out rigorous inspection programmes of commercial premises to ensure they are meeting the required standards.”
Thursday 30 July 2009
New IFEDA Training Course
Looking for another income? Coming soon from IFEDA : Fire awareness trainers course i.e. train the trainer. Train fire marshals and all who have responsibility for a company's fire protection products and training. WATCH THIS SPACE!
Monday 27 July 2009
Latest RRO Breach
Notts businessman sentenced for fire safety breach
A NOTTS businessman has been fined and given a suspended sentence after breaching fire safety laws.
Michael Snow, who runs Treasure Trove Fairs, in Botany Park, Mansfield, was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for two years, and fines of £24,000.
He was also told to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work and pay £9,000.
Snow appeared at Mansfield Magistrates' Court on Friday after pleading guilty to breaching fire safety laws at his premises, which were being used as an indoor car boot market.
During a routine inspection of the property Notts Fire and Rescue made some recommendations to Snow.
But, after a complaint, officers returned to the site and found that the improvements had not been completed.
Notts Fire and Rescue is now reminding all owners and occupiers of buildings that they could face legal action if they breach fire safety regulations.
Mark Huckerby, head of fire protection at Notts Fire and Rescue Service, said: "We are here to advise and support local businesses and are always willing to help to make sure they comply with the fire safety legislation.
"However, the public should continue to be reassured that we take any breaches of fire safety very seriously and will use legal sanctions where necessary.
"In this case, my officers had previously spent some time ensuring that the occupier was aware of his responsibilities and duties to ensure peoples safety and it is disappointing that he chose to place people at risk from fire."
A NOTTS businessman has been fined and given a suspended sentence after breaching fire safety laws.
Michael Snow, who runs Treasure Trove Fairs, in Botany Park, Mansfield, was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for two years, and fines of £24,000.
He was also told to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work and pay £9,000.
Snow appeared at Mansfield Magistrates' Court on Friday after pleading guilty to breaching fire safety laws at his premises, which were being used as an indoor car boot market.
During a routine inspection of the property Notts Fire and Rescue made some recommendations to Snow.
But, after a complaint, officers returned to the site and found that the improvements had not been completed.
Notts Fire and Rescue is now reminding all owners and occupiers of buildings that they could face legal action if they breach fire safety regulations.
Mark Huckerby, head of fire protection at Notts Fire and Rescue Service, said: "We are here to advise and support local businesses and are always willing to help to make sure they comply with the fire safety legislation.
"However, the public should continue to be reassured that we take any breaches of fire safety very seriously and will use legal sanctions where necessary.
"In this case, my officers had previously spent some time ensuring that the occupier was aware of his responsibilities and duties to ensure peoples safety and it is disappointing that he chose to place people at risk from fire."
Monday 20 July 2009
RRO: Landlords Imprisoned for Fire Safety Breaches
July 2009
Two landlords have been sentenced to six months in prison and ordered to pay £5,000 in costs for breaching the fire safety legislation. The prosecution followed a fire on 31st March 2007 at a house converted into bedsits on Hampden Road, North London. Previous to the sentencing at Wood Green Crown Court on 12th June 2009, Michael de Havilland and Sally Fox of Muswell Hill had pleaded guilty to several breaches of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. These breaches included: Inadequate fire detection systems; A lack of proper fire doors for bedrooms or the communal kitchen; No emergency lighting in the building’s stairway; A lack of fire fighting equipment i.e. fire extinguisher / fire blankets; No fire risk assessment available for inspection. A further inspection was arranged where an enforcement notice was issued, explaining that the breaches needed to be dealt with. But after further contact with the co-owners and further inspections over a number of months, inspecting officers found that no remedial work had been completed.
"This is our second prosecution resulting in a custodial sentence and again sends out a strong message to landlords and building owners," said Brian Coleman, chairman of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority. "Our role is to keep Londoners safe, and where we see that you are not taking your legal fire safety responsibilities seriously, we will take action."
Two landlords have been sentenced to six months in prison and ordered to pay £5,000 in costs for breaching the fire safety legislation. The prosecution followed a fire on 31st March 2007 at a house converted into bedsits on Hampden Road, North London. Previous to the sentencing at Wood Green Crown Court on 12th June 2009, Michael de Havilland and Sally Fox of Muswell Hill had pleaded guilty to several breaches of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. These breaches included: Inadequate fire detection systems; A lack of proper fire doors for bedrooms or the communal kitchen; No emergency lighting in the building’s stairway; A lack of fire fighting equipment i.e. fire extinguisher / fire blankets; No fire risk assessment available for inspection. A further inspection was arranged where an enforcement notice was issued, explaining that the breaches needed to be dealt with. But after further contact with the co-owners and further inspections over a number of months, inspecting officers found that no remedial work had been completed.
"This is our second prosecution resulting in a custodial sentence and again sends out a strong message to landlords and building owners," said Brian Coleman, chairman of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority. "Our role is to keep Londoners safe, and where we see that you are not taking your legal fire safety responsibilities seriously, we will take action."
Thursday 16 July 2009
Latest IFEDA newsletter
The latest edition of FireTalk IFEDA's quarterly newsletter can be found at www.ifeda.org/newsletter.htm with information on the latest RRO and asbestos legislation breaches, news on the AGM and member updates. For members there is a more comprehensive version in the members only area.
Tuesday 30 June 2009
IFEDA/BFC Golf Weekend
THE INAUGURAL IFEDA/ BFC
GOLF CHALLENGE
DATE 20th – 22nd NOVEMBER 2009
VENUE - THE MANOR & ASHBURY GOLF COMPLEX
OKEHAMPTON -
1. The package includes rounds of golf on Friday, Saturday & Sunday - the accommodation is full board for the Friday & Saturday nights
2. There will also free use of buggies for golfers during the weekend.
3. Complimentary course planner, shoe bag etc....
4.Sunday afternoon will be prize giving with a complimentary buffet.
5. The whole package is an amazing value at just £140.00 per person
IFEDA members please email IFEDA for info
BFC members please email BFC for info
Tuesday 23 June 2009
IFEDA AGM 2009 : Speakers announced
At this year's AGM members will have the opportunity to catch up on the industries latest news with seminars from: John Judd - personal development with the IFE - Phil Toase and Stephen Adams the Chairman and General Manager of BAFE respectively giving all the updates from the newly independent and relocated BAFE, Kay Pendell-Smith - marketing for small businesses on a tight budget and finally Brian Halloran giving an updated presentation of the asbestos regulations.
Tuesday 10 February 2009
IFEDA Fire Log Book 2009
The I.F.E.D.A. Fire Logbook 2009
Rewritten, Updated and Expanded
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires that a FIRE LOG BOOK to be kept at all business premises.
It is recommended that you bring this to your customers’ attention when carrying out a service visit.
If you supply logbooks not only are you able to generate additional income, you are also providing a valuable service to your clients.
The 34 page IFEDA log book is available to members @ just £3.50 + vat each (non-member version £8.00 + vat).
Also available to members is the comprehensive CD-Rom based log book with extra sections. This enables you delete sections which are not appropriate for a particular customer, copy extra tables as well as add your own logo and details, all for a one-off fee of £95.00 + vat
Sections included are:-
Visits by Fire Prevention Officer
The Fire Risk Assessment
Staff Training
Fire Alarm System,
Emergency Lighting,
Fire Extinguishers,
Fire Doors,
Electro-Magnetic Door Holders,
Internal & External Escape Routes,
Fire Hose Reels,
Other Fire Equipment,
N.B red text denotes ‘section included on cd-rom but not in the printed manual’
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