Section 20

Where a person appeals to the High Court against a fire hazard order, the fire hazard order shall be suspended pending the determination or abandonment of the appeal.

If the fire hazard order has not been quashed on appeal, the period for compliance with the requirements of the fire hazard order shall commence to run on the determination or abandonment of the appeal.

There shall be no appeal to the High Court against a fire hazard order, unless it is or includes a closing order or requires the execution of structural works.

If the appeal against a fire hazard order is dismissed or is abandoned, then notwithstanding subsections (1) and (2), the appellant is guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000

for every day or part thereof during the period prior to the dismissal or abandonment of the appeal when the fire hazard order was not complied with.

A fine under subsection (4) shall not be payable if the appellant satisfies the court before which proceedings are taken for the imposition of the fine that there was substantial ground for the appeal and that the appeal was not brought merely for the purpose of delay.

In the event of an appeal against a fire hazard order, no work, except as mentioned in subsection (7), shall be done under section 19(6) until after the determination or abandonment of the appeal.

Fire Safety

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If the court by which the order was made is of the opinion that the nature of the fire hazard is such as to require immediate abatement, the court may, notwithstanding that the appeal is pending, authorise the Director immediately to abate the hazard.