Manchester property developers fined for breach of fire safety laws

Two property developers in Manchester have been fined after one of their buildings was found to be in breach of fire safety regulations.

Cost Design and UK Real Estate were fined a total of £14,479 at Manchester magistrates court after pleading guilty to failing to comply with building regulations.

Council surveyors analysing the student accommodation in Ardwick found that it did not have self-closing fire doors and barriers which stop flames spreading uncontrollably through a building.

Furthermore, windows required for smoke ventilation were blocked by scaffolding, rear fire escape routes passed through a building site and it was deemed that firefighters would have struggled to access the property.

Councillor Nigel Murphy, the council's executive member for the environment, claimed that it is inexcusable for the firms to have allowed the building to be occupied.

"These two companies let their own self-interest take priority over the safety of students and the council had to step in and ensure that vital safety work was carried out," he said.

"I hope this case serves as a lesson to developers never again to put profit before safety."