Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982

10 Firemen's switches for luminous tube signs

(1) This section applies to apparatus consisting of luminous tube signs designed to work at a voltage normally exceeding 650 volts, or other equipment so designed, and references in this section to a cut-off switch are, in a case where a transformer is provided to raise the voltage to operate the apparatus, references to a cut-off switch on the low-voltage side of the transformer.

(2) No apparatus to which this section applies shall be installed unless it is provided with a cut-off switch.

(3) Subject to subsection (4) below, the cut-off switch shall be so placed, and coloured or marked, as to satisfy such reasonable requirements as the fire authority may impose to secure that it shall be readily recognisable by and accessible to firemen.

(4) If a cut-off switch complies in position, colour and marking with the current regulations of the Institution of Electrical Engineers for a firemen's emergency switch, the fire authority may not impose any further requirements in respect of it under subsection (3) above.

(5) Not less than 42 days before work is begun to install apparatus to which this section applies, the owner or occupier of the premises where the apparatus is to be installed shall give notice to the fire authority showing where the cut-off switch is to be placed and how it is to be coloured or marked.

(6) Where notice has been given to the fire authority as required by subsection (5) above, the proposed position, colouring or marking of the switch shall be deemed to satisfy the require merits of the fire authority unless, within 21 days from the date of the service of the notice, the fire authority have served on the owner or occupier a counter-notice stating that their requirements are not satisfied.

(7) Where apparatus to which this section applies has been installed in premises before the day specified in a resolution under section 9(1) above as the day on which this section is to come into force in the area in which the premises are situated, the owner or occupier of the premises shall, not more than 21 days after that day, give notice to the fire authority stating whether the apparatus is already provided with a cut-off switch and, if so, where the switch is placed and how it is coloured or marked.

(8) Subject to subsection (9) below, where apparatus to which this section applies has been installed in premises before the day specified in a resolution under section 9(1) above as the day on which this section is to come into force in the area in which the premises are situated, the fire authority may serve on the owner or occupier of the premises a notice—

(a) in the case of apparatus already provided with a cut off switch, stating that they are not satisfied with the position, colouring or marking of the switch and requiring him, within such period as may be specified in the notice, to take such steps as will secure that the switch will be so placed and coloured or marked as to be readily recognisable by, and accessible to, firemen in accordance with the reasonable requirements of the fire authority; or

(b) in the case of apparatus not already provided with a cut-off switch, requiring him, within such period as may be specified in the notice, to provide such a cut off switch in such a position and so coloured or marked as to be readily recognisable by, and accessible to, firemen in accordance with the reasonable requirements of the fire authority.

(9) If a cut-off switch complies in position, colour and marking with the current regulations of the Institution of Electrical Engineers for a firemen's emergency switch, the fire authority may not serve a notice in respect of it under subsection (8) above.

(10) Section 290 of the [1936 c. 49.] Public Health Act 1936 shall apply to notices given by a fire authority under this section as it applies to the notices mentioned in subsection (1) of that section as if the references in that section to a local authority included references to a fire authority.

(11) This section shall not apply to apparatus installed or proposed to be installed on or in premises in respect of which a licence under the Cinematograph Acts 1909 and 1952 is for the time being in force.

(12) The following persons, namely—

(a) any owner and any occupier of premises where apparatus to which this section applies is installed who without reasonable excuse fails to ensure that it complies with subsection (2) above ;

(b) any owner and any occupier of premises who without reasonable excuse fails to comply with subsection (3) above;

shall each be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £200 and to a daily fine not exceeding £20.

(13) In proceedings for an offence under subsection (12) above, it shall be a defence for either the owner or the occupier to show that it would have been equitable for the prosecution to be brought only against the other.

(14) A person charged shall not be entitled to rely on the defence set out in subsection (13) above unless within a period ending 7 clear days before the hearing he has served on the prosecutor notice in writing of his intention so to do.

(15) Any person who without reasonable excuse fails to give a notice required by subsection (5) or (7) above shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £200 unless he establishes that some other person duly gave the notice in question.

(16) Any owner or occupier of premises who without reasonable excuse fails to comply with a notice served on him under subsection (8) above within the period specified in it for compliance with it shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £200 and to a daily fine not exceeding £20.

(17) It shall be a defence for a person charged with an offence under this section to prove that he took all reasonable precautions and exercised all due diligence to avoid commission of the offence.