Fire safety warning follows host's jailing

Licensees are being warned to make sure they follow fire safety regulations after a court case saw a hotel owner and consultant jailed for eight months each.

The case at Nottingham Crown Court on 8 July saw David Liu of the Dial Hotel and Market Inn also fined £15,000. Consultant John O'Rourke was charged with carrying out an inadequate risk assessment. There had not been a fire at the premises.

Newly elected president of the Institute of Fire Safety Managers (IFSM) — the body that raises awareness of fire safety — Ken Day has started his role with a stern warning following the prosecution. He said that this was "proof that the courts are cracking down on fire regulations".

"The jailing of these two men should act as a severe warning to all business owners and others with responsibility for premises to ensure that they pay proper attention to fire safety requirements," said Day.

"The offences at Mansfield were discovered on a routine visit by a fire officer, there was no actual fire.

"Anyone with responsibility for any premises other than a private home must ensure that a fire risk assessment is carried out and its findings are acted upon.

"Failure to comply with the legislation is being dealt with harshly by courts. It is imperative that consultants are competent and can demonstrate due diligence," Day stressed.

The IFSM is also calling for a single national register of competent assessors under the Fire Risk Assessor Certification Scheme because, it said, the process currently lacks regulation.

Currently, the independent professional registers consist of the IFSM, the Institution of Fire Engineers, the Building Research Establishment Group, the Institution of Fire Prevention Officers and the Fire Risk Assessors Certification Scheme.