Supermarket chain fined £210k over "potential death trap"
Jun 21, 2010
The organisation was fined £210,000 and ordered to pay costs of more than £28,000 after it pleaded guilty to six breaches of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
The offences were brought to the attention of the local Fire and Rescue Authority after it carried out fire safety inspections at one of the chain’s stores. Among the oversights, the Authority found that the organisation had failed to keep the rear emergency exit doors unlocked for easy access in an emergency and had fitted a lock requiring a security code on the emergency door between the retail and storage areas, which prevented the door from being easily opened in an emergency.
Officers also noted that the supermarket chain had failed to ensure that the store manager was given suitable and sufficient fire safety training and had failed to ensure that the fire alarm system underwent regular testing.
The Crown Court heard that breaches also occurred at other premises. Summing up, the judge said the case demonstrated a lamentable approach to fire safety, and that the chain had been responsible for a potential death trap, given the severity of the fire-safety failings.
The type of problems being witnessed by Fire Authorities in general since the Fire Safety Order came into force 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.
Wilby Ltd’s Risk Management Consultants can carry out a Fire Risk Assessment of your premises. For a free initial consultation contact us now on 01422 358 525 or submit an enquiry form and we will respond promptly.
