Why you need to be aware of fire safety liability

It’s crucial that locksmiths, architectural ironmongers, and builders’ merchants understand how important properly certified hardware and training is, following warnings from experts in fire safety law that they may now be deemed responsible for any incidents.

Liability for fire safety breaches is being increasingly pushed down from building owners and occupiers to those that have been consulted, assessed and advised on the appropriate fire safety solutions for a site. Should these products fail to perform as expected, then those professionals will be held to account, and could potentially even be prosecuted.

Only recently, a representative from leading law firm Russell Cooke LLP cited a growing trend for building owners to hold suppliers responsible for a lack of suitable fire risk assessments and the use of inappropriate materials and products. In 2014 – for the first time ever – a risk assessor went to prison for nine months for a breach of health and safety rules. There’s no doubt that more and more responsibility around fire safety will fall to the supply in the future.

A UNION representative, explains: “From architectural ironmongers that might be selling product with little or questionable certification, to builders’ merchants providing hardware that might not be fit for purpose, liability for fire safety in buildings will increasingly fall to industry professionals. After all, they should be the experts.

“That’s why it’s vital that these groups have the right accreditation in place to meet these demands. Relevant schemes include Warrington Certification’s FIRAS Installer Certification, BM TRADA’s Q-Mark Fire Door Installation and the Guild of Architectural Ironmongery’s diploma.

“It’s also vital that architectural ironmongers, builders’ merchants and locksmiths have a comprehensive understanding of the legislation covering fire safety matters in and around buildings, such as Approved Document B, BS EN 1634 and BS 476. Only by combining this specialist industry knowledge with recognised accreditation can they advise on, specify, and install the best fire safety products.

“For guaranteed peace of mind, all our products are tested and certified to the appropriate fire safety standards, and we are taking increasing steps to ensure that those throughout the supply chain can feel confident that they have put forward a compliant solution.”