Failure to comply with an Enforcement Notice issued by East Sussex Fire Authority, requiring improvements to fire safety measures at 13 Bedford Square, Brighton, has resulted in the company in control of the premises being fined £4,000.
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the ‘Responsible Person’ must ensure the safety of occupants by undertaking a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment, implementing and maintaining appropriate fire precautions, and providing adequate training.
The Fire Safety Order requires risks to be identified and managed, fire safety systems to be maintained, escape routes to remain clear, and risk assessments to be reviewed regularly.
Enforcement Notices are issued where premises fall short of required standards and occupants may be at risk. They set out the actions required and the timeframe for compliance.
On 2 November 2022, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service received a complaint regarding fire safety concerns at the Grade II-listed property, which had been converted into flats. An urgent inspection led to interim measures being put in place to allow residents to remain.
A subsequent audit identified multiple breaches, including the absence of a fire risk assessment, inadequate protection of escape routes, and poor maintenance of the fire detection and warning system. Due to the seriousness of these issues, an Enforcement Notice was served.
Follow-up inspections found that key requirements had not been met, including completion of the fire risk assessment and necessary works to internal fire-resisting doors.
Failure to comply with an Enforcement Notice is an offence under Article 32(1)(d) of the Fire Safety Order 2005. It is also an offence under Article 32(1)(a) where non-compliance with fire safety duties places relevant persons at risk of death or serious injury.
The company pleaded guilty to the offences at a previous hearing and has been fined £4,000, with a further £4,000 in costs.
The company had accepted that it had failed to comply with an Enforcement Notice served by the East Sussex Fire Authority requiring improvements to fire safety measures.
Fire risk assessment is the foundation of effective fire safety management and must be actively used to control risk and support safe evacuation. Critical life safety systems and protected escape routes must be maintained at all times, yet compliance gaps, particularly in converted residential buildings, remain widespread. Failure to meet legal duties or enforcement requirements can lead to significant consequences, reinforcing the need for strong governance, ongoing assurance and proactive risk management.
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