Overview

When assessing risks associated with fire, the immediate concern is often the potential loss of life. Corporate manslaughter or gross negligence manslaughter charges can follow if death occurs due to corporate or individual gross negligence. Lesser injuries often result in health and safety prosecutions. However, businesses are also discovering - to their considerable cost - that it is not injury, but the risk posed if there was to be a fire, which is triggering prosecution under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRO).