Changes to Ontario Fire Code highrise legislation
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Amendment requirements for
out-of-service firefighters’ elevators
Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service (VFRS), in conjunction with the City of
Vaughan, is dedicated to efficient emergency response. Recent changes to the
Ontario Fire Code address elevators in highrise buildings and focus on ensuring
the safety of all citizens in the event of an emergency.
Recent amendments address situations where an elevator
designated for firefighter use is out of service. The new requirements state
that highrise building owners must:
- notify the buildings supervisory staff when the firefighters’ elevator in a highrise is not operational.
- notify building occupants and contact the municipal fire department if the firefighters’ elevator is not operational for more than 24 hours.
- have fire safety procedures approved by the municipal fire department and included as an amendment to the approved fire safety plan.
- comply with new legislative amendments.
VFRS
is ready for effective firefighting and rescue operations, whether they are commercial,
industrial or residential structures. The Service also works
to enhance public safety through comprehensive public education, fire
prevention and emergency response services.
In
2018, VFRS visited highrise buildings throughout Vaughan to inspect the
buildings for fire code violations and to educate residents about what to do when
the alarm sounds. The following key information was communicated:
- If the decision is to leave upon hearing the alarm, it must be done immediately through the stairwells.
- If the decision is to stay, close all windows and doors and listen for announcements from responders on the Emergency Voice Communications system. If conditions change within the unit, call 9-1-1.
- Most highrise incidents are resolved in short order. If the incident is prolonged, fire department personnel will be able to retrieve time-sensitive items for evacuated residents, including medications.
For more information about VFRS, visit vaughan.ca/fire.
QUOTE
“Vaughan
Fire and Rescue Service maintains the highest standards in safety and is always
ready to answer the call of duty. With 65 highrise buildings in Vaughan and
many more projected for the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre, our emerging downtown,
recent amendments to the Ontario Fire Code will contribute to improved fire
safety which will better enable our firefighters to respond accordingly to
emergency situations in highrise buildings. Vaughan is blessed to have the
outstanding dedication of Fire Chief Deryn Rizzi and her team of professional
firefighters who remain committed to ensuring best practices in fire safety.”
-
Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua
QUICK FACTS
- The filing of Ontario Regulation 33/19, under the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997, amended the 2007 Fire Code (Ontario Regulation 213/07) and established additional requirements for owners of highrise buildings.
- The Ontario Fire Code amendments came into effect on July 1, 2019 and compliance is the building owner’s responsibility.
- The VFRS non-emergency call line is 905-832-8506, ext. 0.
- VFRS continues to be recognized in Ontario as a leader in emergency service delivery. The Service also received a 100 per cent satisfaction rating in the City’s latest Citizen Satisfaction Survey.
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