Brantford Fire Department is launching an educational campaign to remind commercial property and business owners that they are responsible for ensuring all their fire safety systems are tested annually and in good operating condition, as required by the Ontario Fire Code.
“It’s just as important for businesses to follow the Ontario Fire Code as it is for homeowners,” said Todd Binkley, Fire Chief for the City of Brantford. “A fire incident can occur within seconds and it’s vital to the health and safety of your employees to ensure that all fire and life safety devices are tested, maintained and working properly. It not only can prevent damage to the property but more importantly, save many lives.”
The campaign comes after Brantford Fire charged six business owners with multiple offences under the Ontario Fire Code last year. These fines fall under Part 1 between $195 to $295 and Part 3 fines that range between $1,000 to $20,000.
The Brantford Fire Department encourages all commercial property owners and business owners to practice the following to keep their buildings, tenants and workers safe:
- Test and maintain fire alarm systems
- Inspect, test and maintain sprinkler systems
- Emergency lighting and exit signage should always be in operating condition
- Portable fire extinguishers must always be operational and fully charged
- Fire and life safety systems should always be easily accessible and unobstructed
- An annual contractors’ service record onsite
To learn more about the requirements of fire and life safety systems in a commercial building, please visit Brantford.ca/BusinessFireCode.
