A recent Auckland District Court decision serves as a reminder for businesses to make sure their smoke detectors are compliant.
The BB Nightclub in Auckland Central was fined $4000 in the Auckland District Court last week after pleading guilty to covering 15 smoke detectors with plastic covers.
Auckland Council inspectors found the smoke detectors covered during an inspection in October 2014.
This meant that the fire alarm system was unusable and the building was unsafe for use.
Auckland Council’s Manager Compliance – Building Control, Wolfgang Nethe, says the fine is a reminder that covering a smoke detector can have serious impacts on the performance of fire alarm systems and the safety of buildings.
“These systems are designed to keep people safe and it is everyone’s responsibility to make sure they are compliant with the Building Act. The consequences of having an alarm system that doesn’t work properly could be fatal.”
