The landlord of a pub in Berkshire has been fined GB pound 4,000 after pleading guilty to 10 charges under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order.
Paul Dailey, proprietor of the George and Dragon in Swallowfield, Berkshire, was prosecuted last month at Reading Magistrates Court after a routine inspection by fire safety officers in May 2007.
The breaches of the Order included:
– No fire risk assessment was carried out for the premises
– No fire protection was provided for fire escape routes
– No fire alarm system was in place
– Obstructed fire escape routes
– No fire drill training was given to members of staff
– Emergency lighting systems did not work
The court was told that these breaches presented a serious and life-threatening risk to staff and the public. Costs of GB pound 3,948 were also awarded against Mr Dailey.
“We are very pleased that the courts have acknowledged the serious nature of this case,” said David Walden, fire safety technical support officer. “This prosecution was brought about under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order, which came into effect in October 2006. Although fire and rescue services are no longer required to issue fire safety certificates, we continue to carry out a rigorous inspection programme of commercial premises to ensure they are meeting the standards required by the Order.”
