Blocking A Fire Escape

[Quoi]

I occupy an office in a block of 7 shared offices. One of the other occupiers persists in partially blocking a fire exit with boxes during the day.
This guy has been asked verbally and has had a letter from the landlord telling him not to block the fire escape but he still does it.
I have been collecting pictures but if there was a fire I dont expect him to spend his time moving the boxes.
I am responsible for fire safety in my office so where can I go next to prevent this hazard continuing.

[bednobs]

back to t he landlord

[vulcan42]

The fire Brigade.

[Quoi]

Hmm bedknobs - thats been done. The landlord was here and saw the problem and told him to move them. I asked the landlord about the action to be taken and he said that when he left the premises the boxes had been moved.
I then took a picture and sent it to him to show they had been put back almost as soon as he left. Thats what prompted the letter.

[vulcan42]

Sorry forgot the link.
http://www.london-fire.gov.uk/EnforcementFireSafetyLegislation.asp

[Buenchico]

Go to the website of your local fire service and find the contact details for their Duty Fire Safety Officer. Give him a call and he'll swiftly put a rocket up the guy's @rse!

As an example, here's the relevant page for our fire service here in Suffolk:
http://www.suffolk.gov.uk/emergency-and-safety/fire-and-rescue-service/protection-fire-safety/comments-complaints-and-reporting-a-fire-safety-deficiency/

[AlwaysConfused]

At work, I try humour/sarcasm such as 'holy ***, I'm so pleased this is not a fire exit. No need for a paid cremation, looks like I'll get that for free here should there be a fire!' I've never had to take it to another level, as people get the hint and willingly unblock the area pretty quickly

[Quoi]

Thanks - hadnt expected the fire brigade to offer enforcement - duh!
I know he will just move the boxes so I will get a few photos going first then speak to them.
The guy in question is a bit of a pillock to deal with - he will say that he will 'sort it' to get you off his back then carry on as normal.

[Svejk]

As you're the 'fire-officer' couldn't you hold an impromptu fire drill and trample all over his boxes ;)

[vulcan42]

If he leaves the boxes there roughly the same time each week, the FSO will attend at that time.

[Quoi]

Vulcan - its hard to see when the boxes are there because its behind a door before the final fire exit door.
I am trying to get the landlord to remove thise door because its not a fire door & therefore is an obstruction to the exit but thats a different issue. Basically, new offices have been added which now form a new fire exit corridor and what was the old office door is now in the corridor - if that makes sense.

[vulcan42]

The FSO will also deal with the door issue as well, they have a lot of authority to enforce safety regulations.

[Quoi]

I have been reading the FSO website & v. interesting - it says a review of fire safety should take place after any structural or material alteration to the premises and at least annually - back to the landlord again then because I know this wasn't done.

[Referee-Observer]

Is this a place of work? If so, carry out a fire risk assessment and pass it on to the employer. If this does not get a result, you can always contact the HSE, Health and Safety Executive, but ensure that you inform the employer first. The HSE have powers when it comes to workplace safety. All employers must provide a safe place to work under the 1974 Health and Safety at Work Act.

[Quoi]

Thanks refereeobserver. I AM the employer and these items (especially the doors) were raised as a result of the fire risk assessment.
This is why I went back to the landlord.
I have other issues that we cant hear the fire alarm tests that they claim are dont weekly - this was notified to them nearly a year ago.
If I go to the HSE I expect to be out on the street.
Its becoming hard to balance the realistic likelyhood of a fire against the outcome if there was one.

[vulcan42]

I am surprised this hasn't come up before as the Fire service are usually very strict on inspections. I worked for a company that decided to add an extension and carry out other alterations and the fire service were actually involved before any work was carried out. They will also ensure that the inspection appears to be their decision so that there are no fingers pointed at employees.

[Quoi]

you are right vulcan - the inspections here are in November ( look forward to that) but I dont remember seeing them last November - it feels like we are being overlooked a bit.
The premises is part of a nationwide group not some small backyard operation - this office is just the cheap & cheerful bit.

[Quoi]

Just to add vulcan - the extra offices were created during the summer - this has created the escape corridor problem. The owners are obliged to carry out an assessment after those renovations but not to my knowledge.

[buildersmate]

The nice way to try and do it would be for you to try and discuss the issue with the other offending tenant as resolving these things amicably saves a lot of time and energy. Perhaps talk to the other 5 tenants to see if they share your concern (though I am absolutely sure you are in the right).

The legal way has to done through the landlord since it is the tenant who is in breach of his tenancy with the landlord. However it isn't just enough for the landlord to send a letter and think his responsibilities are absolved. He has a legal duty to all the other tenants including you.

If you are going to put anything in writing it should go to the landlord (with photos) since that is the legal recourse to solving it.

[buildersmate]

It is the landlord, by the way, who is responsible for developing and maintenance of a suitable fire safety plan for the building, and he has a legal duty to do such a thing. It is several years ago that the responsibility for inspection and adherence to such plans was formally taken away from Fire Brigades, though they maintain an overarching audit function and (as Buenchico points out) they can set improvement notices if the plan is seriously defective or not being adhered to.

[in a mo]

On a Xmas time a few years ago I complained because the Brass Band we blocking the Fire Exits (Double Doors) at a Somerfield Store the place was heaving with shoppers people ,trolleys everywhere it there had been a fire it would have been a disaster ,I had words with the management and they said I was a Scrooge and not getting into the spirit. I SEE YOUR POINT.Phone the Fire Brigade they will gladly pay a visit ,they will make something happen.
Oh BTW That is what I did .Hence one forlorn Brass Band standing outside Brass Monkeys. Its a tough old Life.