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SBH  
#1 Posted : 20 May 2019 10:11:10(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
SBH

One of my clients runs a pub with accomodation and in the side entrance leading to a fire protected staircase he has a woodburner which is now decommissioned but used to work and indeed still can. It is in a corner of the reception area at the bottm of the staircase so does not impact on the evacuation strategy. The staircase leads striaght out to a place of ultimate safety.

The local Fire Officer from the brigade attended site the other week and stated that unless the decommissioned woodburner was dismantled and removed she would issue a prohibition notice therefore closing down the pub until it is removed. The woodburner is not a hazard as its decommissioned, its an ornament, but she does not accept this. I feel my client should contest the issue but he is scared he will loose business at a forthcoming busy time. 

Any suggestions as to how to proceed.

SBH

MrBrightside  
#2 Posted : 20 May 2019 10:23:05(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
MrBrightside

Did the Fire Office happen to state why she wants it removed?

chris42  
#3 Posted : 20 May 2019 11:00:11(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
chris42

Originally Posted by: SBH Go to Quoted Post

One of my clients runs a pub with accomodation and in the side entrance leading to a fire protected staircase he has a woodburner which is now decommissioned but used to work and indeed still can. It is in a corner of the reception area at the bottm of the staircase so does not impact on the evacuation strategy. The staircase leads striaght out to a place of ultimate safety.

The local Fire Officer from the brigade attended site the other week and stated that unless the decommissioned woodburner was dismantled and removed she would issue a prohibition notice therefore closing down the pub until it is removed. The woodburner is not a hazard as its decommissioned, its an ornament, but she does not accept this. I feel my client should contest the issue but he is scared he will loose business at a forthcoming busy time. 

Any suggestions as to how to proceed.

SBH

chris42  
#4 Posted : 20 May 2019 11:05:07(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
chris42

Originally Posted by: SBH Go to Quoted Post

 woodburner which is now decommissioned but used to work and indeed still can.

Sorry I seem to have problems posting from time to time on this site, so attempt 2

So not decommissioned just not lit.

Ask if there is a way you can decommission properly and keep it, ask. Fill flue with concrete ?

Chris

thanks 1 user thanked chris42 for this useful post.
A Kurdziel on 20/05/2019(UTC)
SBH  
#5 Posted : 20 May 2019 12:16:03(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
SBH

she says she wants a pristine area with nothing in it. I can understand combustible items but metal? I might as well suggest that the staircase is ripped out because it will burn!

SBH

A Kurdziel  
#6 Posted : 20 May 2019 13:31:23(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
A Kurdziel

What colour would she like the walls painting?

From what you have said she seems to be pushing her luck especially in threatening a prohibition notice which should only be issued if there is “a risk to relevant persons so serious that use of the premises ought to be prohibited or restricted” rather than an alteration notice.

If you feel strongly about it write her a letter asking her to explain exactly why she wants the burner removed and in what way it constitutes a risk. Suggest that you would be willing to for example disable the wood burner by blocking off the flue as suggested by Chris.  I am assuming that she has not actually issued the notice yet and of course you can appeal it to the Magistrates Court.  Of course she could be bluffing and is only threatening notices with no intention of actually following through. There is also a point when it becomes cheaper and less hassle to comply with the request even if  on the face of it they are wrong  

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