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Local business owners are being warned that they could face prosecution if they ignore new fire safety legislation.

These companies also risk being named and shamed on the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service website for failing to comply with fire safety inspection advice.

Fire risk consultant David F Hamilton said: “Business owners need to be aware of potential hazards, even more so now in the lead up to Christmas with decorative lighting in and around business premises. The new legislation has been in place over a year now, meaning that all owners have an obligation to conduct a fire safety audit in their premises.

“Yet already THREE enforcement notices have been handed out to Northern Irish companies, including one in the North West, who have not complied to fire safety standards, despite advice to the contrary from the fire service. Whether they haven’t trained staff or maintained safety equipment.”

The new regulations require all non-domestic premises to hold a valid fire safety risk assessment. The N. I. Fire & Rescue Service’s role is to audit premises by targeted inspections, following a complaint or after a fire, where poor fire safety management is discovered.

David added: “I would urge all businesses to be aware of their obligations. If they ignore enforcement notices from the FRS, the next stage is prosecution – something which is already happening in England & Wales where one large London retailer has been fined £400,000 for a fire on its premises and a failure to comply with fire regulations.”

Email David F Hamilton for more information: david@davidfhamilton.co.uk