Two managers of a property in Windsor were fined and received suspended prison sentences following a successful prosecution by Royal Berkshire Fire Authority.
Mr Vi Ciong Tang and Ms Ming Zhou were ordered to pay more than £9,200 after an investigation by the Service found serious fire safety deficiencies in a property above a restaurant on St Leonards Road, Windsor.
The pair also received a suspended 14-week custodial sentence after pleading guilty to eight offences under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 at Reading Crown Court on Friday, 22 May.
Our investigation found a lack of a fire detection system within the commercial and residential units at the property, insufficient emergency lighting and inadequate fire doors that would have compromised the means of escape in an emergency.
The investigation also found that the minimum fire, electrical and gas safety standards were not met throughout the property.
Mr Tang was fined £2,400 while Ms Zhou received a penalty of £1,650. Both were each also ordered to pay additional legal costs and a victim surcharge, bringing the total to £9,250.
Speaking on the case, Tim Benham, Fire Safety Enforcement Manager, said: “This case demonstrates that we will take steps to ensure that businesses have the correct fire safety measures in place.
“As a Service, our purpose is to help keep businesses, people and communities safe. We will continue to work with business owners to help them protect themselves and their livelihoods.
“However, fire safety is not optional. While we continue to work closely with businesses, we will take action to enforce the law and keep people safe if necessary.”
"As a Service, our purpose is to help keep businesses, people and communities safe.
Tim Benham, Fire Safety Enforcement Manager
We will continue to work with business owners to help them protect themselves and their livelihoods"
Read more about business fire safety by visiting our Safety at Work pages.