Fire Safety Act 1993 · 2020 Revised Edition · Part 2 · Fire Hazard in Premises
28. Abatement of fire hazards
Feedback & supportLast amended by an amending law of 2013.
The Commissioner may, if satisfied of the existence in or on any premises of any fire hazard, serve —
Commissioner
“Commissioner” means the Commissioner of Civil Defence appointed under section 6 of the Civil Defence Act 1986;
upon the person by reason of whose act, default or sufferance the fire hazard arose or continues;
if such person is the employee or agent of some other person, upon such other person; or
upon the occupier or owner of the premises in or on which such fire hazard exists,a written notice requiring the person to abate the fire hazard within the period specified in the notice, and to do all such things as may be necessary for that purpose, and to take all steps necessary to prevent the recurrence of such fire hazard.
The notice may, if the Commissioner thinks fit, specify any works to be executed for the purposes mentioned in subsection (1).
The notice may, if the Commissioner thinks fit, require the person on whom the notice is served under subsection (1) to submit, within the period specified in the notice, a fire hazard mitigation plan to prevent such fire hazard from recurring in or on the premises.
fire hazard
“fire hazard” means any matter or circumstance which materially increases the likelihood of fire or the danger to life or property that would result from the outbreak of fire and includes —(a)any alteration to any building in contravention of any law relating to building works or fire safety works such as might render escape in the event of fire more difficult;(b)any removal from any building of any fire safety measure which was provided in such building in accordance with plans approved by the Commissioner under section 55;(c)any specified fire hazard; and(d)any other matter or circumstance which would materially hamper the Force in the discharge of its duties in the event of fire;
Where the person by reason of whose act, default or sufferance a fire hazard arose or continues cannot be found and it is clear that the fire hazard neither arose nor continues by reason of any act, default or sufferance on the part of the occupier or owner of the premises in or on which it exists, the Commissioner may abate the fire hazard and may do what is necessary to prevent a recurrence thereof.
occupier
“occupier”, in relation to any premises, means the person in occupation of the premises or having the charge, management or control thereof and, in relation to any part of any premises different parts of which are occupied by different persons, means the person in occupation or having the charge, management or control of that part;
Where a fire hazard abatement notice has been served on any person under subsection (1) and that person —
fire hazard abatement notice
“fire hazard abatement notice” means a written notice issued by the Commissioner under section 28(1);
fails to comply with any of the requirements within the time specified in the notice; or
fails to take such steps as are specified in the notice to prevent the recurrence of the fire hazard,the person shall, whether or not an order under section 31 has been made in respect of him, be guilty of an offence.[13