A recent publication reported that according to new information obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, over 1,200 hotels and Bed and Breakfasts were found to be in breach of fire safety regulations since October 2006.

The research allegedly found that:

• Over one in 20 businesses were classified as unsafe when audited by their local fire and rescue service.
• Nearly one third of businesses audited in Cornwall failed their fire safety check, including 180 hotels and guesthouses.
• The number of audits carried out varied massively from area to area, with some services only carrying out around 500 audits compared to an average of 2,000.

Commenting on the findings, which were requested by the Liberal Democrats, shadow communities and local government secretary, Julia Goldsworthy, who is also MP for Falmouth and Camborne, said: “These are some very worrying results. Far too few businesses, including hotels and B&B’s, are complying with the new fire safety regulations. Employees and customers are being put at risk because firms are not receiving enough support to ensure they are protected from the risk of fires.”

For more information about fire safety regulations and for further details of the BHA’s fire safety compliance tool kit please visit: www.bha-compliance.org.uk