Fires represent one of the greatest threats to tenants and properties, but fire doors can play a pivotal role in minimising losses. There are on average 162 building fires in the UK every day, with 80% occurring in residential properties. Fire doors, if fitted correctly, are a vital safety feature in buildings as they help to prevent the rapid spread of fire and are a legal requirement in a significant proportion of residential properties. However, they are not always used to best effect. Here, we look at some common challenges and explain what you can do to help improve fire safety in properties. Fire door failures are surprisingly common Figures from the London Fire and Rescue Service suggest that in around a dozen fires each year in the capital, there are significant failures due to fire doors having been replaced, left open or fitted incorrectly. Common fire door faults can include: Wedging open of self-closing doors Damage to, or removal of, self-closing devices (typically over-head closers)…

From February 2016, fines for health and safety (H&S) offences, corporate manslaughter and food safety increased substantially. The increase applies to cases reaching the courts from February 2016, even if the incident that led to the prosecution occurred before that date. You may not be aware that H&S fines are now based on turnover. For example, a company with a turnover of less than £2m can now face a H&S fine up to £450,000; between £2m and £10m, the fine can be up to £1.6m, and a company with a turnover of £10m- £50m could face a fine up to £4m. So-called ‘very large companies’ will be subject to even higher fines. If you are part of a bigger group, it is possible that the court could seek to levy a fine based on total group turnover, and thus increase the level of the fine. These fines are in addition to court legal costs, and there is also potential for…