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A landlord has been sent to prison in the first custodial sentence to be given in London under the new fire safety regulations.

The landlord was sentenced to four months imprisonment and his company was fined £21,000 following conviction for serious breaches of the Regulatory Reform Order (RRO).

The prosecution followed a fatal fire at a flat in September 2007. After being removed from the building by fire fighters, a man was taken to hospital but died later from his injuries.

The Chairman of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority, which runs the London Fire Brigade, said, "This fire resulted in a man dying and highlights why landlords and businesses must take their responsibilities under the Regulatory Reform Order seriously. The London Fire Brigade works hard to bring irresponsible companies and individuals to court, which can, as this case has shown, result in a custodial sentence."

Sentencing of the company and their director took place in a Crown Court on 20th October after they pleaded guilty to eight breaches of fire safety.

The eight summonses are listed below. Are you confident that you have all your fire and evacuation plans in order?

Summons 1 - Article 9 - Failure to make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to which relevant persons were exposed.

Summons 2 - Article 11 (1) - Failure to make and give effect to appropriate fire safety arrangements.

Summons 3 - Article 13 (1)(1) - Failure to provide appropriate fire-fighting equipment.

Summons 4 - Article 13 (1)(a) - Failure to provide appropriate fire detection measures, namely adequate smoke alarms in the common parts of the premises.

Summons 5 - Article 14 (1) - Failure to ensure that routes to emergency exits from the premises and the exits were clear (in relation to the gas fired boiler).

Summons 6 - Article 14 (2)(a) - Failure to ensure that persons were able to evacuate the premises as quickly and safely as possible, in that the escape route was not properly protected (because the intumescent strip and cold smoke seal were missing from the top edge of the second floor habitable room and there were combustible materials stored in the exit route including a washing machine,
television, clothing and furniture).

Summons 7 - Article 14 (2)(g) - Failure to ensure that there was adequate signage at the premises to indicate the emergency exit and route.

Summons 8 - Article 15 (1) - Failure to establish and give effect to appropriate procedures to be followed in the event of serious and imminent fire.

We have a simple and straightforward 'Fire Risk Assessment' in our 'download section', in the 'Members Area'. We suggest you take time out to view and download the document and have a walk around your premises. Simple steps can then be taken to ensure that you comply with the Regulatory Reform Order. You may be surprised that you have everything in place but have you documented it and informed all your staff?