Life Safety
Everyone from Homeowners, Businesses, Landlords and Tenants, has a role to play in ensuring their own Fire & Life Safety.
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Every person is responsible for their own fire safety. It is everyone's responsibility to implement and practice the three lines of defence against fire: Prevention, Detection, and Escape. PreventionCheck your home for Fire & Life Safety Hazards and eliminate them. Keep all areas of the home, garage and yard clear of rubbish and combustible waste. Clean the dryer lint trap before each use and the whole dryer vent at least yearly Ensure containers for flammable liquids, solvent, adhesives and pressurized aerosol cans are approved and stored according to manufacturer recommendations. Store gasoline-powered equipment outside of the house DetectionSmoke Alarms Working smoke alarms are important, it's the law to have them on every floor of your home and outside sleeping areas. Remember; while installation and maintenance by the Ontario Fire Code, this code is the minimum standard. If you have family members sleeping on different levels of the home, consider interconnected alarms so that when one rings, they all ring. If you have family members who require assistance to escape during an emergency, install extra alarms so when a fire is small enough you can get to them and all escape safely. Carbon Monoxide The Ontario Fire Code now requires every home that has a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning install a CO alarm outside of sleeping areas. EscapeIf a fire occurred in your home tonight, would your family get out safely? Everyone must know what to do and where to go when the smoke alarms sounds. Take a few minutes with everyone in your household to make a home fire escape plan. Print out an escape plan template. Escape Conditions for Seniors Many seniors still depend on escape routes that were planned when the kids were young. Update these plans with their current capabilities in mind, and practice with them. Place a telephone beside the bed, as well as a list of current medications, slippers, house keys, eyeglasses and a flashlight – anything you may need to take with you if you have to leave quickly. Escape Considerations for Mobility Issues Now that you're in, how do you get out? The most important step is to invest a few hours to pre-plan for a fire emergency. Knowing what to do in case of fire may save your life! Talk to family, friends, neighbours, and building supervisory staff about your special needs in an emergency.
What Can You Do and other Frequently Asked Questions
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Homeowners |
In addition to practicing the three lines of defence against fire - Prevention, Detection, and Escape - homeowners also have the following safety responsibilities. Awareness of Fire and Carbon Monoxide Fire is not inevitable and it is also not an accident. Over 90% of all home fires are preventable. People feel safest in their own home, yet that is where they are the most vulnerable. Please take responsibility for your safety and review Fire & Life Safety Hazards. 911 Civic Address Numbers In the case of an emergency, medical emergency or fire, minutes can mean the difference between life and death. Firefighters are equipped with many tools to help improve arrival time. One of these tools is a detailed map of their designated areas. 911 civic address numbers are imperative for a quick reference. The more camouflaged and hard-to-find the numbers are, the longer it will take emergency personnel to arrive at the scene.
Visit 911 civic address signs, for more information |
Landlords and Tenants |
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Businesses |
Business owners are responsible for the maintenance of their space and for ensuring the business operates with respect to fire safety. In addition to practicing the three lines of defence against fire — Prevention, Detection, Escape — business owners have specific requirements under the Ontario Fire Code. Definition of Owner The Ontario Fire Code defines “owner” as any person, firm or corporation having control over any portion of the building or property under consideration and includes the person in the building or property. Therefore, whether a business owner owns the building, or simply operates a business within a building, business owners have obligations with respect to fire safety for which they can be held accountable. The Fire Protection and Prevention Act allows a Fire Prevention Officer to enter and inspect without a warrant any land or premise for the purpose of assessing fire safety. The power to enter and inspect can be exercised at all reasonable times. Fire Code The mission of all Fire Departments is Fire and Life Safety. The Ontario Fire Code is recognized as a minimum standard to which buildings and businesses must adhere. In every Inspection compliance with The Ontario Fire Code is our ultimate goal. Once a building or business is recognized by a Fire Prevention Officer to be in contravention of the Ontario Fire Code, the Officer will issue an Order or an inspection report identifying the offence and a date by which the deficiency must be remedied. Violations & Consequences
Keeping Records When tests or corrective measures required by the Fire Code are carried out such as:
A copy of the records must be maintained at the building for examination by the Fire Department if requested. Records of maintenance, checks, tests and inspections like those listed above must be maintained for at least 2 years after being prepared. Fire safety Plans The Ontario Fire Code, Div. B, Section 2.8 provides for the required preparation, approval, and implementation of a fire safety plan for most buildings and occupancies. |