Restaurant owner pleads guilty after taping cling film over detectors. 21 March 2011

The joint-proprietor of a Thai restaurant in Wokingham has pleaded guilty to 12 breaches of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.Patipat Kansikam, who was a joint proprietor of the Red Lion (Pad Thai), appeared at Bracknell Magistrates Court on 9 March.

The building, which was used as sleeping accommodation for the restaurant’s staff, had an inadequate fire alarm system and blocked fire escape routes.Fire safety investigators also found cling film taped over fire detectors. In addition, there was no adequate fire risk assessment or fire evacuation training in place, while the fire escape routes were obstructed by combustible storage.

The court head that not only did these breaches present a serious and life-threatening risk to the staff who worked there, but also to members of the public who visited the premises.

The issues first came to light after an inspection by Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service on 3 March last year.The case has been adjourned until 6 April for sentencing.