A property management company has pleaded guilty and been fined £17,600 for breaching fire regulations on a block of flats in Douglas.
In 2023 Fire Safety Officers were made aware that a block of flats Marlborough Court Limited did not have a working fire alarm system amongst other contraventions at the building on Douglas promenade.
This is contrary to the requirements of the Fire Precautions Regulations 2016.
The Fire and Rescue Service worked with the management company to try and rectify the situation and make the property safe for the residents.
Breaching Fire Regs
However, as the management company was unable to install a working fire alarm system, or undertake any other mitigation, it was deemed necessary to issue prohibition notices and bring the matter to the attention of the courts.
This was because the risk was so severe and imminent to residents and any emergency services that may have been required to respond to a Fire.
The notice effectively advises individuals that the fire service does not believe it to be safe to reside in the premises and that failure to leave the premises would constitute an offence, and is only in place until rectifications are made.
Resident Fined
One resident did not adhere to the conditions of the prohibition notice and pled guilty to the offence and were also fined by the courts and handed a 12 month conditional discharge.
Fire Safety advice for flats is available online or by contacting the Fire Prevention and Protection Department via email at iomfire@gov.im or by calling 647300.
5 Comments