Owners of Residential Properties Fined For Ontario Fire Code Offences
HAMILTON, ON – January 19, 2018 – Two building owners have each been convicted in Provincial Offences Court of offences of the Ontario Fire Code and the Fire Protection & Prevention Act.
In the first case, the owner of a three storey, six unit residential building located at 254 Dundurn Street South, Hamilton, was convicted on two counts after pleading guilty in Provincial Offences Court on January 15, 2018. The violations were for failing to check, inspect and testing of the building’s interconnected smoke alarm system and making any corrections of deficiencies as required. Having properly operating smoke alarm system ensures an adequate level of protection as intended by the Code in affording residents early warning to evacuate safely from a fire. The owner received fines totaling $5,000.00
In the second case, the owner of a two storey, two unit residential house located at 124 Second Road East, Stoney Creek, was convicted on three counts after pleading guilty in Provincial Offences Court on January 16, 2018. The owner was convicted of failing to provide a number of life safety measures including required fire separations within the structure as required by the Inspection Order issued under the Fire Protection & Prevention Act. Fire separations are vital to contain a fire within the room or area of origin to allow building occupants adequate time to quickly and safely exit the premises. Failure to construct or maintain these separations negatively impact the occupant’s ability to safely evacuate a house. In this case the owner received fines totaling $800.00. This house was sold in May of 2017 as a single family home.
“Building owners must take responsibility to ensure their buildings are in compliance with the Ontario Fire Code and the Fire Protection & Prevention Act. Failure to do so will result in prosecution” - states Chief Fire Prevention Officer Robert Simpson with the Hamilton Fire Department.
Building owners or occupants who have any concerns regarding fire safety are encouraged to contact the Fire Prevention Division of the Hamilton Fire Department at 905 546-2424 ext. 1380, weekdays between the hours of 8:30am to 4:30pm.