Thank you for your email of 29th February regarding locked fire exits at x
Your concern was passed to our safety team who have probed the situation with x. They have also liaised with x Fire Department as emergency exits are enforced by them and we are interested in the safe evacuation of the station. We asked x Fire department to visit and reassure themselves and us that the new magnetic locks on the doors were safe.
The fire department were not reassured, and so, both ORR and x Fire department visited the station. In the wake of that joint visit, x Fire have advised x to leave the emergency exits open to enable risk assessments and other associated actions to be carried out. The fire department have also raised other matters with x and will be following them up and advising us of the outcome.
Our Inspector, who was involved in the joint visit, has written to the Managing Director of x outlining his concerns and we await their response. We continue to liaise with the fire department, but they are the primary enforcing authority. If you wish to be kept informed or need further information then please contact x
Thank you for bringing this matter to ORR's attention.
