The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) has served a fire enforcement notice on five organisations after identifying significant fire safety shortfalls at the Hinkley Point C construction site in Somerset.
Mechanical, Electrical and Heating (MEH), Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) work is overseen by the MEH alliance and is made up of the following organisations, who have been issued with the notices:
- Altrad Babcock Ltd
- Altrad services Ltd
- Balfour Beatty Kilpatrick Ltd
- Cavendish nuclear
- NG Bailey Ltd
The Unit 1 HF (electrical) building was inspected in December 2025 as part of a targeted inspection to assess the MEH fire safety arrangements for compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
ONR inspectors identified several significant shortfalls including the absence of a suitable and sufficient Fire Risk Assessment, inadequate means of escape resulting in insufficient emergency exits being available for the numbers of people working in the building, and a significant accumulation of combustible materials within a staircase designated for use as an emergency exit route.
The enforcement action requires the named organisations to make improvements to ensure adequate arrangements are developed and embedded to address the shortfalls in compliance and prevent reoccurrence.
Mahtab Khan, ONR’s Head of Regulation - EPR said: “Fire safety is an important part of our regulatory activity and is not optional – it is a legal requirement that protects lives.
“We will not hesitate to take enforcement action where safety standards fall short, and we expect all dutyholders to treat fire safety with the urgency it demands.
“Working alongside the principal contractor and MEH alliance, we have made good progress in understanding the root causes of these shortfalls to ensure they are addressed.”
There were no consequences to employees, the public or the environment as a result of the shortfalls.
However, ONR identified the potential for harm and risk of serious injury, which required regulatory action.