Lambeth Council have received a number of fire safety enforcement notices after inspectors from the London Fire Brigade found numerous failings in schools, social housing, and children’s clubs.

A health and safety update is due to be presented to the council next week with full details of London Fire Brigade’s findings, according to a report in the South London Press. 

The report says “There have been major challenges from the London Fire Brigade with regard to fire enforcement notices in sheltered accommodation; some generalist housing stock; hostels and lately, youth and one o’clock clubs have come under scrutiny.”

Lambeth council chief executive Derrick Anderson was served with an enforcement notice following the discovery of failings in a high rise housing block in Kennington, which included failures to:

• light emergency exits;
• give staff fire safety training;
• manage preventative and protective fire safety measures.

Lambeth’s executive director of children’s services was also served with a notice after failure to ensure that a risk assessment had been carried out at a youth centre in Clapham.

Responding to the report, a council spokesman said:

"Lambeth and its partners take fire risk issues very seriously and work closely with the [London Fire Brigade] to ensure that no building or person is at risk. What we do equals other councils and surpasses other parts of the country. Our systems and procedures are robust and visible.

"Our track record on safety is challenged from time to time but always is exemplary."

Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 a responsible person has a duty to ensure that a risk assessment is carried out, and they must take general fire precautions to ensure the safety of any persons who may be in the vicinity of the premises.

Read an article on the Regulatory Reform Order on info4fire.com