Fire Safety Regulation Breaches Could Lead To Unlimited Fines, According To New Regulations

15 June 2021

The Government has announced new regulations to boost building safety and £16 million for fire and rescue authorities.

Unlimited fines could be handed out to business owners, under new Government measures being brought in to strengthen fire safety.

The Home Office has announced, as part of its work to ensure people are safe in their homes, that limitless fines will be handed out to anyone caught obstructing or impersonating a fire inspector as well as to those who breach fire safety regulations under the Fire Safety Order.

The new measures, announced as part of the government’s response to the Fire Safety Consultation, will come into force as part of the legislation in the Building Safety Bill. They aim to improve the quality of fire risk assessments and competence of those who complete them and ensure vital fire safety information is preserved over the lifespan of all regulated buildings.

They also set out to make it easier to identify and coordinate with people responsible for fire safety.

The Home Office has also announced a further cash boost of £10 million for Fire and Rescue Authorities across England, on top of the £6 million already announced in the Fire COVID-19 Contingency Fund. This will help with additional tasks related to managing the pandemic – such as driving ambulances and assisting at testing and vaccination centres.

Fire Minister Lord Greenhalgh said: “Everyone should be safe in the buildings where they live, stay or work.

“Our new measures will improve fire safety and help save lives but will also take firm action against those who fail in their duty to keep people safe.

“Our incredible Fire and Rescue Services have played a crucial role in our response to the pandemic, from assisting at vaccination centres to driving ambulances. That is why we are giving them this cash boost, so they can continue their life-saving efforts.”

Roy Wilsher, National Fire Chiefs Council Chair, said: “The NFCC welcomes the extra funding to support COVID activities carried out by fire and rescue services across England. Firefighters are responsible for administering around 1 in 240 vaccinations to the public.

“We also welcome the government’s response to its own fire safety consultation and the continued investment in fire and rescue services protection work.

“Ultimately, we want to see safer buildings for residents and are committed to working constructively with the Home Office and other partners on the Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommendations and other key fire safety policy areas.”

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