Demolition warning for pubs neglecting fire safety responsibilities

The warnings come after the PMA​ sent Freedom of Information requests to fire services across the UK​, and discovered the most common causes of fires in pubs.

Arson

In many areas the top cause was arson — in some regions almost half of fires were started deliberately.

Mark Williams, manager of the Fire Crime Unit of South Wales Fire & Rescue Service, explained that after incidents of arson or anti-social behaviour at a pub, an arson vulnerability assessment may be carried out.

If the building is deemed unsafe, fire services may report to police, the local authority, environmental departments and the owner of the building. “The owner has the ultimate responsibility to keep the building safe,” Williams said. “If the building is high risk and structurally unsafe, the local authority can apply for compulsory demolition, the cost of which will go back to the owner.”

Advice 

In the West Midlands the number of fires started by arson is strikingly high at 42%, or 83 of all 200 fires since 2010.

West Midlands Fire and Rescue Service (WMFRS) advised all licensees to use the following arson prevention methods as part of their daily routines:

• The location of refuse bins in relation to the pub — can they be securely locked away from all buildings?
• If refuse is kept in a separate room or outbuilding, ensuring it
  is securely locked
• Never overloading bins — these are easy targets for anti-social behaviour and arson
• Keeping all external areas of property clean — removing any objects or bottles that could be used to target windows
• Ensuring internal bins, especially in corridors and toilets, are emptied on
  a daily basis
• Ensuring external doors are secure and difficult to access?

Legal obligations 

Licensees have a legal obligation to prevent risk in pubs.

Shockingly, a survey by fire assessment firm FireUK.co.uk found that 39% of hosts were unaware of the need for a fire risk assessment. Law states a responsible person must:

• carry out a fire risk assessment of the premises and review it regularly
• tell staff or their representatives about the
  risks identified
• put in place, and maintain, appropriate fire safety measures
• plan for an emergency
• provide staff information, fire safety instruction and training