Asda and B&M Stores have both been convicted and fined in two separate cases for offences under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order. Both companies had fire safety breaches involving the misuse of fire doors.
B&M Retail Ltd had to pay fines totaling almost £33,000 for offences at their Mansfield store. These included; fire exits and exit routes obstructed (£4,500) ; exit route led to locked enclosed area (£5,000); fire doors locked and unable to be used in an emergency (£5,000)
Asda Stores Limited was ordered to pay over £55,000 after admitting fire safety breaches in their Chippenham store, near Slough.
Fire exit doors were chained and locked shut in an inspection made by Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service officers in June 2010. The inspection also revealed escape routes that were obstructed, fire exit doors wedged open and combustible items obstructing fire doors.