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Dorgard X from Fireco
A little over a year after the introduction of new fire regulations, the first prosecutions under the RRFSO (Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order) are being brought, and the penalties are proving to be punitive.
Last November an Essex company was ordered to pay fines and costs totalling almost £41,000 after pleading guilty to breaches of fire safety regulations at its premises, in particular fire doors wedged open and exits obstructed.
Commenting on the case, the fire service commander said: “I would also like to remind those responsible for properties of the need to carry out a full and comprehensive risk assessment and emergency plan.”
So, as the new year begins, this is timely advice and highlights a worrying trend identified recently by the 'Kick the Wedge' survey conducted in response to the RRFSO. This comprehensive UK wide fire safety survey, commissioned by Fireco, manufacturer of Dorgard, revealed that nearly 70% of business premises audited for fire risk were found to be wedging open fire doors.
Wedge Pledge campaign
The Wedge Pledge is a major new campaign that aims to eliminate the highly dangerous practice of wedging open fire doors, which – in a real fire emergency – would allow smoke and flames to spread rapidly with the risk of life-threatening injuries.
£250,000 fine for serious fire safety breaches
A record £250,000 fine for breaches of fire safety law, imposed last year on a major national retailer, is an example of the seriousness with which fire door wedging is regarded by the enforcing authorities. In this case the fire safety offences were deemed so serious that the case was referred to the Crown Court for sentencing.
The evidence produced by the fire and rescue service was damning. Vital exits – critical for life safety – were wedged open with beer cases and other objects. The sheer number of offences indicated 'a fundamental breakdown of the company's fire safety management procedures at the highest levels.'
British Standard Wedge!
The life safety issues highlighted by this catalogue of negligence are also a matter of concern to the UK's major insurers. According to Royal & Sun Alliance, 'All those involved in Fire Safety inspections are far too familiar with the problem of these fire doors being propped open... often with what has become known as the British Standard Wedge – a portable fire extinguisher. Many fire fatalities and injuries have been directly linked to the use of illegally held open fire doors.'
A senior loss prevention specialist with over 30 years experience who recently inspected over 700 premises comments: “Fire doors seem to be treated as an unnecessary evil which must be wedged open whenever possible. Although often occurring to ease access, fire door wedging, particularly of self-closing fire doors in busy corridors or hallways, is a highly dangerous practice with potentially fatal consequences.”
Enforcement notices
Fire certificates were abolished as of 1 October 2006 and have ceased to have legal status. Enforcement of the Fire Safety Order in England and Wales is now the responsibility of the Fire and Rescue Service in all matters relating to fire safety in accordance with the provisions of the statutory legislation.
A fire inspector has certain powers, for example a right of entry and a right to require the production of relevant documents. If the Fire and Rescue Service considers that any provision of the legislation has not been complied with it may take formal action, such as the issue of an alterations notice or an enforcement notice.
If enforcing officers are of the opinion that the risk to life is so serious they can issue a Prohibition Notice to prohibit or restrict the use of a premises.
It is an offence not to comply with the requirements of the legislation. Depending on the nature of the offence, a guilty person may be liable to a fine or to imprisonment for up to two years, or both.
With a stepping-up of the enforcement regime it is worth remembering that the main aim of the Order is to encourage a risk assessed approach and to realise that there is often more than one way to achieve an acceptable level of safety in premises.
Kick the wedge!
These recent cases highlight the importance of Fireco's Wedge Pledge campaign that aims to banish the illegal fire door wedge. Fireco asks you to send the company your illegal fire door wedges and receive £5 off every Dorgard – the legal, wireless hold-open solution for fire doors. Plus Fireco is pledging to donate £1 for every Dorgard sold from the campaign that's expected to raise thousands of pounds for burns charities that care for victims of fire.
