Source · Prevention of Future Deaths
Anne Fowler
Ref: 2015-0104
Date: 19 Mar 2015
Coroner: Andrew Thompson
Area: Black Country
0 responses identified · 1 indexed addressee
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AI-generated concerns summaryThe coroner identified that smoke alarm covers were left in place after fitting, potentially preventing them from activating, and notes alarms were often inaccessible due to their ceiling location.
Date
19 Mar 2015
56-day deadline
7 May 2015
stated in the report
Responses identified
0 of 1
Coroner's concerns
The coroner identified that smoke alarm covers were left in place after fitting, potentially preventing them from activating, and notes alarms were often inaccessible due to their ceiling location.
View full coroner's concerns
The cover was in place. The alarm was as is usual, installed on the ceiling where it would be inaccessible to many elderly or other immobile occupiers.
It was stated that the cover was left in place to protect the alarm from the ingress of dust etc following fitting.
Therefore, you may consider that legislation should be enacted to require builders, landlords and others to remove such covers, cleaning around the alarm where necessary, prior to allowing the occupier to take possession.
It was stated that the cover was left in place to protect the alarm from the ingress of dust etc following fitting.
Therefore, you may consider that legislation should be enacted to require builders, landlords and others to remove such covers, cleaning around the alarm where necessary, prior to allowing the occupier to take possession.
Report sections
Investigation and inquest
On 20 January 2015 at Smethwick Council House I concluded the inquest into the circumstances surrounding the death of Mrs Anne Elizabeth Fowler.
Circumstances of the death
The deceased died in a house fire. The report of the Fire Investigator stated that there was a dust cover over the smoke alarm nearest to the seat of the fire and to the deceased, and that this would prevent the smoke alarm from sounding as early as it would have had the cover not been there. The cover carried a warning to the installer to place it over the smoke detector to prevent exposure to excessive dust, and a warning to the occupier to remove it once the property had been cleaned. It also stated that the alarm would not function if the cover remained in place.
Copies sent to
Operations Commander, Head of FRIS/ATF, WMFS HQ
Similar PFD reports
Report details
- Reference
- 2015-0104
- Date of report
- 19 March 2015
- Coroner
- Andrew Thompson
- Coroner area
- Black Country
Responses identified
Responses identified
0 of 1
1 response not yet linked
Organisations named in PFD reports are normally expected to respond within 56 days. Deadline: 7 May 2015 (stated in the report).
Sent to
- Home Office