
![]() |
Brian Sims
Editor |
Home> | Fire | >Enforcement | >Pub had inadequate fire safety provisions |
Pub had inadequate fire safety provisions
19 July 2017
A TORQUAY pub landlady has admitted to breaching five offences under the Fire Safety Order.

In March 2016, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service (DSFRS) inspected the premises at 18-20 Market Street as part of a multi-agency initiative. The property consisted of four floors; a public house on the ground floor with letting rooms above. The inspection revealed a number of failings, which included:
- A lack of a suitable fire detection system, in that the second and third floor had no provision for detecting fire and raising the alarm, and the first floor had just one standalone detector;
- No of emergency escape lighting;
- Inadequate fire doors;
- Electrical items and quantities of unsecured combustible materials stored in the escape routes; and
- Breaches in the fire separation between the public house and accommodation above
Due to the level of risk to which the occupants were exposed the DSFRS issued a Prohibition Notice to prevent the use of all three upper floors. The investigation revealed that the landlady, Mandy Fox, was providing accommodation for overseas students. A fire risk assessment had been carried out at the premises but had only considered the ground floor area. No consideration had been given to the upper floors of the premises and risks to which students sleeping on the premises were exposed.
Fox appeared at Torquay Magistrates’ Court on 17 July and pleaded guilty to five breaches for the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. She was fined £7,000 and ordered to pay £4,000 in costs.
DSFRS business safety manager Paul Bray said: “The severity of the fine imposed by the court shows that those responsible for the safety of others cannot ignore their responsibilities. Fire safety provisions must be suitable for the use and size of the premises and sufficient to ensure in the event of a fire, people are alerted and can leave the premises quickly and safely.”
- Fire safety guidance for high-rise properties
- Leaseholder ordered to pay over £3,000 by Cwmbran Magistrates’ Court
- Former chief fire officer to appear in court on fraud charges
- Peterhead firefighters inspire next generation
- “Check approvals for Category 3 Control fire performance cables” warns AEI Cables
- ASFP offers free online access to key fire safety guidance documents
- West Midlands Fire Service at “tipping point”
- Fire Sector Federation issues benchmark standard for fire risk assessors
- Plumis makes three new hires in face of uncertain business climate
- PAC and GDX devise series of online technical training tutorials
- Laying down the law
- Student lettings firm fined £150,000 for fire failings
- From the editor
- Fire safety returns home to NEC Birmingham
- Blog for FSM website
- Huge fine for Lakanal House fire
- Restaurant chain served fine for fire breaches
- Laying down the law
- Hotelier in dock for fire safety breaches
- Prosecutions under the Fire Safety Order