Builder fined £10,000 after faking emails claiming windows were fireproof

By Robert Firth, Local Democracy Reporter

A builder has been fined £10,000 after he lied about installing fireproof windows in a South London tower block.

Valeriu Sandu, 49, told Southwark council three windows his company fitted at 45 Penton Place in Kennington could withstand fire for 90 minutes when they could not.

Sandu sent the local authority fake invoices saying the windows were 90-minute fire rated.

Suspicions were raised when a building control officer noticed the windows had air vents which could provide a path for smoke and fire.

After Southwark council refused to approve the windows, Sandu suggested filling the vents with intumescent fire sealant, which expands to seal gaps when exposed to heat.

He said he would contact the windows’ manufacturer to check if this would be a suitable option.

Sandu went on to forward a second fake email to the council – this one claiming to be from the windows’ manufacturer – confirming the sealant could be used to plug the air vent holes.

By this time council staff were suspicious about the original invoice and approached the window company themselves.

The window manufacturer confirmed that both emails were bogus and council officers referred the case to Southwark’s trading standards team to investigate.

Sandu of Romford was sentenced 12 months imprisonment, suspended for 15 months, at the Inner London Crown Court on January 11.

Judge Usha Karu took into account his early guilty plea in her sentencing and Sandu was ordered to pay £10,000 in costs and complete 70 hours’ unpaid work.

The three bedroom windows installed by Sandu’s company, Valmic Properties Limited, were close to smoke vents serving communal areas and escape routes.

Normally they would need to have a minimum of 60 minutes fire resistance for approval, in line with building regulations.

Valmic Properties Limited later installed the correct windows at the property.

Cllr Darren Merrill, cabinet member for a safer, cleaner borough, said: “After the Lakanal House tragedy, Southwark vowed to stop at nothing to ensure all council homes are as safe as they can be from fire, and we expect the same standards from builders in the private sector.

“The horror of Grenfell reminded us once again of the importance of prioritising fire safety.

“In this context, it is incomprehensible that a builder would fail in his basic duties to keep people safe, and then lie and attempt to deceive the council about the safety of the building.

“I hope that our prosecution and court result serve as a stark warning to anyone seeking to put personal gain before the safety of others, by ignoring important fire safety regulations.

“I am pleased that, thanks to our building control and trading standards teams, Mr Sandu was punished for his crimes.”