Published: 6 February 2015
Category: Industry News
International company Chubb Fire & Security Pty Ltd and one of its employees have been fined a total of $10,250 for offences relating to the unlawful installation of fire protection at a Brisbane community centre.
The Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) took action against Chubb and its employee following an audit of fire-protection installation at building sites around Brisbane.
Fire protection licences have been required since 2011, in line with the findings of a report into the Palace Backpackers Hostel fire in Childers in 2000, when 15 people perished.
QBCC Commissioner, Steve Griffin, said the penalty was a reminder to companies and individuals that fire protection was a serious matter and must always only be undertaken by appropriately licensed entities.
During a compliance audit, QBCC inspectors interviewed Chubb employee John Murtagh at a Brisbane community centre, where he was performing fire-protection work. Enquiries by the inspectors revealed that he did not hold the appropriate licence for the work.
Mr Murtagh eventually pleaded guilty to one count of unlawfully carrying out fire protection work and was fined $2,750.
Chubb Fire & Security Pty Ltd pleaded guilty in Holland Park Magistrates Court on 8 November 2013 to one count of a breach of section 42D of the QBCC Act. That is, as a licensed contractor, Chubb engaged or directed an employee to carry out fire protection work, where the employee was not authorised to do so, and was fined $3,000.
However, the Commission successfully appealed that decision in the Brisbane District Court, and Chubb Fire & Security Pty Ltd was subsequently fined $7,500 for the same offence on 26 September 2014.