A property management company has been fined more than £166,000 after pleading guilty to fire safety offences relating to a residential building in Leeds.
Scanlans Property Management LLP appeared before Kirklees Magistrates' Court following a prosecution brought by West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service over conditions at Ahlux House.
Fire alarm and signage issues
The court heard that the company failed to comply with an Enforcement Notice issued under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
The offences related to a defective fire alarm system and incorrect evacuation signage displayed within the building.
According to West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, faults with the fire alarm system remained unresolved despite longstanding concerns, resulting in numerous attendances by firefighters following false alarm activations.
The court was also told that notices advising residents to follow a "stay put" evacuation strategy remained in place despite a simultaneous evacuation strategy being required.
Court hears concerns over resident safety
District Judge Pitts found culpability to be high and concluded the failings created a high likelihood of serious harm in the event of a fire.
The court heard that repeated false alarms could lead to residents becoming complacent and potentially delaying evacuation during a genuine emergency.
Total penalty exceeds £166,000
Scanlans Property Management LLP was fined £153,000.
The company was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £2,000 and prosecution costs of £11,410.15.
The total financial penalty amounted to £166,410.15.
Fire service comments after hearing
Following the hearing, Chris Kemp, Senior Fire Protection Manager at West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "This is a significant outcome which demonstrates the importance of complying with fire safety legislation and ensuring that residents are protected from avoidable risks.
"The Court's findings reinforce the seriousness of these failings and send a clear message that where responsible persons fail to address known fire safety issues, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action."
He also praised the work of the Fire Protection Team, which was led by Group Manager John Senior, describing the investigation as thorough and complex.
Following the case, counsel Cassie Williams commended the investigation and preparation of evidence, describing the outcome as a positive result.
West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said the prosecution demonstrated its ongoing enforcement of fire safety legislation where failures place residents and communities at risk