Building owner fined $5,500

HAMILTON, ON – The registered owner of a three storey building occupied by five residential units located at 524-526 John Street North, Hamilton, was convicted on one count after pleading guilty in Provincial Offences Court on September 26, 2019. The violation was for failing to protect windows which opened onto the building’s exterior fire escape with closures having a 20 minute fire protection rating as required by the Retrofit provisions of the Ontario Fire Code. In this case the owner received a fine of $5,500.

“The protection of openings onto exterior fire escapes, for buildings three (3) or more stories, are designed to delay fire from breaking through onto the fire escape which allows building occupants time to safely evacuate” - Chief Fire Prevention Officer Pete deBoer of the Hamilton Fire Department

If building owners have any questions regarding Ontario Fire Code requirements or any other fire safety matters, they are encouraged to contact the Fire Prevention Division of the Hamilton Fire Department at 905-546-2424 ext. 1380, weekdays between the hours of 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Additional fire safety information can also be found on our web-site at www.hamilton.ca/fire