When Known Fire Safety Issues Stay Open

A published fire safety prosecution of a managing agent: what the court heard, the duties behind the enforcement notice, and how a live, evidenced record keeps known issues visible until they are closed.

Fire Safety Order 2005Enforcement noticesFalse alarms

Get the full 10-page study Free 1-page summary (PDF)

Key takeaway

The fine, surcharge and costs came to more than £166,000. A live record shows what is overdue and what was done, before a notice becomes a prosecution.

£166k+fine, surcharge and costs on one block

~40%of fire incidents attended in England were false alarms (year to March 2026)

2023since January, residents must be given the evacuation strategy

The challenge

A fire and rescue service took action after long-running concerns about a block's fire alarm, repeated false alarms and notices telling residents to stay put where the strategy required simultaneous evacuation. An enforcement notice was not complied with and the managing agent was prosecuted.

The solution

A Complitas Building Safety Management Pack that holds every open item against the building, keeps deadlines in view, checks signage against the fire strategy and scores the risk with CompliScore.

Key findings

The failures reported were not hidden defects: concerns about the alarm system were longstanding and unresolved.
Evacuation notices told residents to stay put where a simultaneous evacuation strategy was required.
Repeated false alarms can make residents complacent in a real emergency.