What are the consequences of violating fire safety regulations for businessmen today?
On June 17, 2011, Federal Law No. 120-FZ of June 3, 2011 «On Amendments to the Code of the Russian Federation on Administrative Offenses on Fire Safety Issues» came into force. What is its essence?
Increasing the statute of limitations for bringing to administrative responsibility
Firstly, the statute of limitations for administrative liability for violation of fire safety legislation is increased to one year. This is due to the fact that consideration of cases in this category may involve complex expert examinations in cases where violations have led to a fire.
Now there will be a clear distinction between what and how much the employees of the Russian Emergencies Ministry can fine you for. If you are being inspected for the first time, then even for the absence of a fire alarm you will not be subject to suspension of your business (there will only be hefty fines). However, if you as a legal entity or individual entrepreneur do not comply with the requirements for the next inspection, then the fine will be such that it is possible, and this amount can be set and two fire alarms at one facility!
Now, according to the amendments, a fine is also introduced for violating fire safety requirements for evacuation routes, evacuation and emergency exits or automatic fire extinguishing systems and fire alarm systems, fire warning systems and evacuation management systems in buildings, structures and constructions or smoke protection systems for buildings, structures and constructions.
Fine amounts
The fine for individuals is determined in the amount of 3 thousand to 4 thousand rubles, for officials — from 15 thousand to 20 thousand rubles, for individual entrepreneurs — from 30 thousand to 40 thousand rubles, for legal entities — from 150 thousand to 200 thousand rubles.
Repeated administrative offences entail a fine of 4 to 5 thousand roubles for citizens, 20 to 30 thousand roubles for officials, 40 to 50 thousand roubles for individuals engaged in entrepreneurial activity without forming a legal entity, or administrative suspension of activity for up to 90 days, and 200 to 400 thousand roubles for legal entities, or administrative suspension of activity for up to 90 days.
What is the reason for the increase and what should be done now?
The increase in fines is due to the fact that the current fine amounts do not allow for effective resolution of fire safety issues. They do not in any way encourage violators to comply with fire safety requirements, because the fine amount was not comparable to the costs of complying with fire safety requirements. In other words, it was easier to pay the fine than to restore order!
You must admit that it will now be cheaper to comply with all the requirements of the fire safety inspector than to simply “give” such money to the State. It remains to be hoped that this law will improve the situation with fire safety in the country, since many remember the incident with the “Lame Horse”, and that inspectors will conscientiously and professionally approach the issues of conducting inspections and educating the population on fire safety requirements.
Specialist “Safety and Comfort”, Pavel Vorobyov especially for (http://b-n-k.ru/)