Firstport Retirement(Peverel Retirement) are set for large fines following the case at Guildford Court. It had been predicted by About Peverel that fines could reach as much as 1m pounds. The Judge(who is expected to pass sentence shortly0 has intimated that the penalty he will impose on Firstport will "run into the hundreds of thousands of pounds"
Firstport admitted the following breaches of Health & Safety legislation in court:
Omitting to carry out a suitable risk assesment which placed Mrs Cockerton and others in danger of death and serious injury from fire.
Significant breaches in the integrity of rof space compartmentalisation which increase the sprerad of flames.
Greasy vapours and deposits from kitchens increased the danger of a blaze spreading.
Failing to put in place a proper evacuation procedure in the event of a fire, particularly in view of the vunerability of residents.
Omitting to act on warnings given earlier by people who had carried out past inspections and allowing the condition of the roof space fire curtains to fall into disrepair.
Area and House Managers not given satisfactory training- A failure which placed one or more residents at risk of death and injury in case of fire.
Mark Watson on behalf of Firstport said " This is a company that is well run and mindful of its reponsibilities"
