Airlie Beach pub fined for fire breaches
A popular Airlie Beach pub, Magnums Hotel, has been fined $42,500 fine for illegally disabling its fire alarms.
The company that owns the pub, Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group, which employs 15,000 people across Australia, pleaded guilty to 17 charges of failing to maintain their fire safety installation.
According to Queensland Fire and Emergency Services manager of compliance and prosecution Mark Halverson, QFES officers detected the offenses when they analysed the data from Magnum Hotel's monitored alarm system during a routine audit.
"Fire detection and alarm systems are vital lifesaving equipment, especially in night clubs and hotels, where patrons may be affected by alcohol and large groups of people congregate in small spaces," Mr Halverson told the Daily Mercury.
"Any delay in providing early fire warning can lead to injury or death of patrons.
"Magnum's Hotel was found to have deliberately disabled fire alarms on multiple occasions.
"QFES works with building owners right across the state to ensure building fire safety laws are followed and will not hesitate to take legal action if public safety is deliberately compromised."
QFES Commissioner Katarina Carroll businesses that sacrificed the safety of patrons and staff by disabling vital fire safety mechanisms had been put on notice.
"This is a message to all building owners that QFES is dedicated to upholding the safety of Queenslanders and those who are knowingly and deliberately breaking the law will be found and prosecuted," Ms Carroll told the Daily Mercury.
"These alarm systems are installed for the safety of all people and the message is simple; disabling fire alarms and early warning systems is in breach of building fire safety legislation.
"It's unfortunate that legal action was necessary in this situation, but the safety of patrons, staff and the community, should be the number one priority of any business owner."
by Leon Gettler, March 7th 2017
