Residential Fire Safety |
A residential landlord has been sent to prison in the first custodial sentence to be given in London under the new fire safety
regulations.
Mehmat Parlak was sentenced to four months imprisonment and his company, Watchacre properties limited, was fined £21,000
following conviction for serious breaches of the Regulatory Reform (fire safety) Order, which came into force in October 2006.
It is a fact that many multi-occupied residential properties represent a significant threat, in terms of fire safety and many
landlords and property managers are unsure about their responsibilities under the legislation. It is essential that a proper system of
risk management is introduced and assessments only carried out by 'Competent Persons', as defined by law.
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The recent prosecution and subsequent imprisonment of a residential landlord for breach of fire safety legislation will have come
as no surprise to most fire safety professionals. Fire legislation has undergone dramatic changes over the past decade and has led
to some confusion as to the requirements, the enforcement process and fire safety standards to be applied within certain types of
premises. The most significant change affecting multi-occupied residential properties (purpose built flats, conversions etc) is
the introduction of the Regulatory Reform (fire safety) Order, which came into force on 1st October 2006. It was under this
legislation that the recent prosecution was brought.
Fire statistics for the United Kingdom, published by the department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) show that in
2006 there were 363 deaths from fire, in dwellings, of which 111 were within multiple occupancy buildings. In addition to this there
were a total of 11,200 non-fatal injuries recorded.
How can Lawes Marsh help you to comply?
As your appointed Competent Person(s) we can help ensure that you comply with the requirements of the legislation in the most
cost effective way possible. We have extensive knowledge of fire safety legislation and our experience as enforcement officers,
combined with practical application within the residential sector means we understand your business. We have a package of services
designed to meet the needs of landlords and property managers and can offer the following:
- Organisational fire safety policy - This is a legal requirement and is designed to demonstrate your arrangements for compliance
and help provide the foundation for all other necessary fire safety activity
- Risk assessments of landlord controlled areas, in order to identify any/all fire related risks. Areas covered include:
- Ignition Sources
- Combustibles
- Premises Layout and Construction
- People at Risk
- Fire Detection and Alarm Systems
- Fire Fighting Provision
- Escape Facilities
- Signage
- Lighting
- Fire Emergency Plan
- Instruction and information
- Testing and Maintenance of Fire Safety Systems
- Potential for arson
- Individual summary reports and an electronic database of findings and recommended remedial action - We serve to ensure
that all reports and record keeping arrangements are appropriate for the client and will provide a manageable audit trail of
compliance
- Recommendations regarding ongoing monitoring and review
- Continuous access to professional technical advice regarding any fire, or health and safety matter
On top of this our aim is to ensure that this can be provided as cost effectively as possible and we have developed a pricing
structure that enables us to provide significant discounts for multiple building assessments. By carefully managing the inspection
process and grouping of surveys, we can realise significant savings that we pass on to the client.
Lawes Marsh can also offer Health and Safety audits of common areas and many of our clients benefit from a combined approach
and further significant discounts.
Remember, as a Landlord, or property manager, you have responsibilities under the 'Order', but provided you take all
reasonable steps to adequately manage the fire related risks within your properties, as indicated above you will have shown 'due
diligence' and therefore be deemed compliant. If you would like to discuss any of the above with one of our specialists please
contact us to arrange an appointment.
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