| Business Owners |
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.
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.
| Who is an '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.
|
| Violations and Consequences |
- Sometimes, the severity of the offence or the tendency of the business or building to be continually out of compliance causes the Fire Department to pursue penalties under the Provincial Offences Act by means of issuing a ticket, or by serving a summons requiring a person or business to appear in Provincial Offences Court.
- In these cases, if found guilty of a contravention of the Ontario Fire Code a person or a director of a corporation can be liable to a fine up to $50,000. The Corporation can be liable to a fine of up to $100,000.
|
| Keeping Records |
|
When tests or corrective measures required by the Fire Code are carried out such as:
- Annual inspections of smoke and CO alarms
- Emergency lighting tests
- Fire alarm annual inspections
- Sprinkler annual inspections
- Portable extinguisher annual inspections
- Commercial kitchen suppression system 6-month inspection
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.
|
|
| Fire Escape |
If 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.
| Draw A Floor Plan |
Your plan should include a drawing of each level of your home, and all possible emergency exits. Draw in all doors, windows and stairways. This will show you and your family all possible escape routes at a glance. Include any features (such as the roof of a garage or porch) that would help in an escape.
The door is the main exit from each room. Identify an alternate escape route, which could be a window, in case the door is blocked by smoke or fire. Make sure all windows can open easily and that everyone knows how to escape through them to safety. If windows have security bars, equip them with quick-releasing devices. |
| Decide In Advance Who Will Assist Others |
| Does anyone need help to escape? Decide in advance who will assist the very young, older adults or people with disabilities in your household. A few minutes of planning will save valuable seconds in a real emergency. |
| Choose a Meeting Place |
| Choose a meeting place a safe distance from your home that everyone will remember. A tree, street light or a neighbour’s home are all good choices. In case of fire, everyone will go directly to this place so they can be accounted for. |
| Call For Help Once Out |
| Don’t waste valuable seconds calling 911 from inside your home. Once you have safely escaped, call 911 from a cell phone or a neighbour’s home. |
| Practice Your Escape |
| Review your Escape Plan with everyone in your household. Walk through the escape routes for each room with the entire family. Check your escape routes, making sure all exits are practical and easy to use. Then hold a fire drill twice a year and time how long it takes. In a real fire, you must react without hesitation as your escape routes may be quickly blocked by smoke or flames. |
| Considerations 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. |
| Considerations For Individuals With Mobility Barriers |
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.
| Protecting Yourself |
Depending on your physical limitations, here are some things that you can do to protect yourself from fire. In some cases, you may be able to do some of these things yourself. In other cases, you may need someone to help you.
- Install smoke alarms
- Ask the superintendent of your building, a friend or relative, to install at least one smoke alarm on each level of your home, especially adjacent to bedrooms, to provide early warning of fire. Make sure your alarms are tested monthly and ensure the batteries are changed at least once a year.
- Remember 9-1-1
- In case of fire, always attempt to get out, then call 9-1-1 and give your street address. If you can't get out, call 9-1-1 even if Fire and Emergency Service has been called or already arrived and tell them exactly where you are in the building. Don't panic. Stay calm.
- If possible, live near ground level
- If you live in a multi-storey home, sleep on the first floor and keep a telephone by your bed. If you live in an apartment, consider living on the ground floor. Living closer to the ground and to an exit will make evacuating easier. Also, consider having doorways widened and ramps constructed.
- Plan and practice your escape
- Know two ways out of every room, especially bedrooms. If one exit is a window, make sure that it opens easily. If you live in an apartment building and you are able to use stairs, map out as many routes as possible. Never take elevators to escape fire. Elevators may become trapped between floors or they may take you directly to the fire!
|
| What To Do When Fire Strikes |
- Get out and stay out. If you leave the building, leave as quickly and safely as possible. Never go back in. Never return for personal possessions. They are not worth your life. Call 9-1-1 from outside.
- Crawl low under smoke. If you can, crawl low while you exit and keep your head down. Hot toxic gases rise. The cleanest, coolest air is near the floor.
- Keep doors closed. A closed door will help slow the spread of fire, smoke and heat. If you hear a smoke alarm, smell smoke or suspect fire, feel the door. If the door feels cool, open it just a crack to check for smoke. If there is none, leave by your planned escape route. If the door feels hot when you touch it, don't open it. Don't panic. Escape out the window or use your alternate exit.
- If you can't leave your room or apartment, stay calm. Seal cracks around doors and vents as best as you can, using wet towels if possible. Open a window and stay low by it to breathe fresh air. If there's a phone in the room, call 9-1-1, tell them you are trapped and exactly where you are in the building. Shout for help or use a whistle and signal your position by waving a bright cloth, towel, sheet or flashlight.
|
|
|
| Programs and Presentations |
North Frontenac Fire Department teaches people of all ages about health and safety. We provide individuals with the knowledge and skills they need to live a safer life.
| Child and Youth Programs |
|
TAPP-C
Arson prevention program for children aged 2–17 years
If your child or teenager is involved in fire-play or fire setting, you are not alone. Many children and teenagers have a fascination with fire. It’s important to understand the while curiosity about fire is natural, fire-play can be dangerous. Unfortunately many children die or are injured in fires they start themselves.
TAPP-C is free of charge and available to children aged 2–17 years. The TAPP-C program brings together fire service and counselling professionals to help families deal with children and teens involved in fire-play. Fire Department personnel educate children and their families about fire fire-safety practices. Counselling professionals assess the risk of continued fire involvement and help children and families deal with issues that may contribute to fire setting.
Learn Not to Burn (LNTB) has served as the pillar of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) education programs for more than 40 years. LNTB programs reach children using proven education strategies that incorporate positive, practical fire safety messaging. LNTB focuses on teaching 22 key fire safety behaviours to children from Kindergarten to Grade 8 through the core curriculum in their classrooms.
A LNTB preschool program is designed to teach eight teach eight basic fire- and burn-prevention behaviours to children in preschool and daycare centres (age 3–5 years), using songs, games and activities. The lessons are short, simple and encourage active participation. The program includes a 60-page teacher's guide that features detailed lesson plans, fire safety background information, letters to parents and reproducible colouring sheets.
|
| Seniors Programs |
Remembering When™ Presentations
Remembering When™ was developed by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help older adults live safely at home for as long as possible. If you would like to have a Remembering When presentation to your group, please complete a Fire Presentation Request Form.
Remembering When is centered around 16 key safety messages — eight fire prevention and eight fall prevention— developed by experts from national and local safety organizations as well as through focus group testing in high-fire-risk states. The program targets a range of older adults and is meant to be appealing to active seniors. Related document: Remembering When Program Safety Checklist
|
| Request a Presentation |
Would you or your group benefit from a Fire Safety Presentation? NFFD would love to attend your meeting and share information about fire prevention, detection and escape. |
|
| Safety Equipment |
| Automatic Sprinklers |
| Automatic sprinkler systems have proven to be effective at protecting life and property. For more information visit Canadian Automatic Sprinkler Association (CASA). |
| Fire Extinguishers |
| In the event of a fire, you need to be able to react. A fire extinguisher may provide the means of putting out a small fire. Learn about fire extinguishers and how to use one. Remember the acronym PASS: Pull the pin; Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire; Squeeze the trigger; Sweep the extinguisher from side to side until it is empty. |
| Smoke Alarms |
|
In a fire, seconds count. Early detection is important. Only working smoke alarms provide those important seconds for you and your family to safely escape. Working smoke alarms are important, its 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.
Early detection Saves Lives:
Fatal fires occur at night when people are asleep. Smoke alarms provide that all important early detection allowing you the opportunity to wake up and escape.
How many smoke alarm are enough?
You need one on every level of your home, outside sleeping areas, and preferably in each bedroom.
It's the law
The Ontario Fire Code requires that every home have working smoke alarms on each floor. If you are a landlord it is your responsibility to comply with this law. If you are a tenant it is your responsibility to notify your landlord immediately if your alarm(s) is/are not working.
|
| Features and Types |
Features
Smoke alarms are available with pause or hush buttons that can be used to temporarily silence the alarm for several minutes before resetting itself unless overridden by continuous smoke. Smoke alarms are also available with audable and/or visual features to ensure everyone is able to escape to a safe location. For more information visit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
Styles
Battery-operated smoke alarms are powered by a 9-volt battery or 3-4 double A batteries or a 10 year sealed lithium battery, whereas, hardwired smoke detectors are wired directly into the homes electrical system. Interconnected systems activate all alarms within the residence through radio frequency for a higher level of safety.
Types
Photoelectric smoke alarms consist of a light emitting diode with a light sensitive sensor causing the alarm to sound when the light beam is scattered by combustible products.
Ionization smoke alarms ionize air in the sensing chambers sounding an alarm when the conductivity of the chamber air decreases. For more information visit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
|
| Maintenance |
Change Your Battery
Install a new battery every year or as required. If the low battery alarm sounds replace the battery immediately.
Keep it Clean
Carefully clean the smoke alarm around the outside vents using a vacuum.
Regular Testing
Test your smoke alarms at a minimum once a month by pushing the alarm test button.
Replace Your Out Of Date Smoke Alarms
Smoke alarms require replacement in accordance with the manufacturers recommendations, at least every 10 years.
|
|
| Hazards |
| Smoking, Lighters and Matches - #1 Cause of Fire Deaths |
Smoking materials are the #1 cause of fire deaths. Follow these simple smoking safety tips to prevent a smoking-related fire in your home.
- Never smoke in bed, when drinking or taking medication that can cause drowsiness.
- Always use large, deep ashtrays on a sturdy table.
- Before you throw out butts and ashes, make sure they are out, and dousing in water or sand is the best way to do that.
- Check under furniture cushions and in other places people smoke for cigarette butts that may have fallen out of sight.
- Never smoke in a home where oxygen is being used
- Keep matches and lighters up high, out of children's sight and reach. • When possible, smoke outdoors.
- Be alert! To prevent a deadly cigarette fire, you must be. You won't be alert if you're sleepy, have been drinking, or have taken medicine or other drugs.
- Install a photoelectric smoke alarm above your favourite place to smoke. If you have a fire you will get the early warning you need to escape.
- The best way to prevent smoking fires is to quit. For help with that: Thinking About Quitting
|
| Candles |
| A candle is an open flame, which means that it can easily ignite anything that can burn and lead to home fires. For safe alternatives consider battery powered candles and emergency flashlights. For more information download National Fire Protection Associations (NFPA) Candle Safety Tip Sheet. |
| Cooking |
Cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires and home injuries. The leading cause of fires in the kitchen is unattended cooking. For more information and tips on safe cooking visit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Cooking Safety in the Home and Electrical Safety Authority (ESA)
|
| Electrical |
| Electricity can make our lives easier, don't allow it to become a potential fire-related hazard. View National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Electrical Safety in the home for toolkits, checklists and safety tip sheets. |
| Home Heating |
| Nearly half of all home heating fires occur in December, January and February; ensure your home heating systems are clean to prevent seasonal fire hazards. For a heating safety tip sheet and community toolkit, visit National Fire Protection Association's Heating Page. |
|
|
|
The North Frontenac Fire Department is mandated by the Fire Protection and Prevention Act (FPPA) to respond to complaint and request inspections related to fire safety.
Fire inspectors enforce the Ontario Fire Code. Violations include such items as block exits, missing or breaches in fire separations, missing or broken fire doors, electrical deficiencies, storage or use of flammable liquids or gases, etc.
A violation of the Ontario Fire Code is a chargeable offence. It is the responsibility of the home owner, building owner, business owner to ensure the building is in compliance with the Ontario Fire Code at all times.
| Types of Inspections |
| Complaint-based |
| A request for a complaint inspection can be made by any member of the community that is concerned with a Fire Code concern. Requester’s information is kept strictly confidential. |
| Routine |
| Vulnerable Occupancies (Nursing homes, Retirement Homes, Group homes and Hospitals) are required to initiate routine annual inspections with the Fire Department. These routine inspections are a requirement of the Ontario Fire Code. |
| Voluntary Request |
| A request for inspection can be made by any member of the community. |
|
| Right of Entry |
| The FPPA allows for North Frontenac Fire Department, Fire Inspectors to enter a premise at any reasonable time without advance warning or an appointment. Landlords are permitted to enter tenant suites/space with 24 hours’ notice to assess fire safety concerns. In emergency situations, the 24-hour notice requirement is not applicable. |
| Fees |
| Fire Department inspection fees are applicable to most inspections. Please refer to the Fees and Charges By-law for associated fees, as amended on the Township's Civic Web Portal where all Township By-laws are e-published. |
|
|
All ice is potentially dangerous. Be careful. If you don't know, don't go.
| Ice Thickness |
|
3" (7cm) or less - STAY OFF
4" (10cm) - Ice Fishing, Walking, Cross-Country Skiing
5" (12cm) - Snowmobile or ATV
8-12" (20-30cm) - Car or Small Pick-up Truck
12-15" (30-38cm) - Medium Truck
Ice is never consistent with thickness often varying significantly over very short distances due to factors such as snow-covering, proximity to shoreline/underwater structures and water currents.
|
| Ice Colour |
Transparent Blue/Black Lake Ice - Safest
White Opaque Ice - Use Extreme Caution
Gray Ice - Stay Off
White and Grey Mottled - Stay off.
Always use caution - river ice is weaker than lake ice. |
| Ice Safety Tips |
|
Never Go Alone
A companion may be able to rescue you or go for help if you get into difficulty. Before you leave shore, tell someone where you are going and what time you expect to return.
Avoid Travelling At Night
Reduced visibility increases your chances of driving onto an open or weak area of ice.
Take Safety Equipment
Pack ice picks, rope and other necessary gear.
Stay Off River Ice and Narrows
River currents and moving water where one lake flows into another can quickly change ice thickness or cause ice to be much thinner than in other locations.
Avoid Alcohol
Alcohol impairs your judgement, coordination and reaction time. It also speeds up the onset of hypothermia.
Wear a Buoyant Suit or PFD
If you don't have a thermal protection buoyant suit, wear a lifejacket or PFD over your snowmobile suit or layered winter clothing.
Don't Drive On Ice
If you can't avoid driving on ice, open your windows, unlock your doors and turn on available lights to allow for a quick escape from your vehicle.
|
| Falling In The Water |
|
The initial shock of the cold water can:
- place severe strain on the body, producing instant cardiac arrest;
- cause a person to breathe in water during or shortly after impact;
- begin the onset of Hypothermia almost immediately.
|
| Hypothermia |
|
Falling into ice water can rapidly cause Hypothermia.
| What is Hypothermia? |
| A medical emergency that occurs when your body loses heat faster than it can produce heat, causing a dangerously low body temperature |
| How Long Does Hypothermia Take To Set In? |
| A person submerged in water just above freezing can experience symptoms of hypothermia in as little as 2 minutes. |
| What are the Stages and Symptoms of Hypothermia? |
|
Mild
- conscious and oriented
- shivering
- able to assist self or others
Moderate
- conscious but disoriented
- shivering stops
- may not be able to assist self or others
Severe
- unconscious
- muscles rigid
- unable to assist self or others
|
|
Assisting a Hypothermia Victim
|
|
Do
- handle the victim carefully
- get the victim indoors
- remove wet clothes
- dry victim promptly
- wrap in blankets
- transfer to medical personnel asap
Don't
- rub or massage extremities
- give alcohol, caffeine or allow the victim to smoke
- apply heat directly
|
|
| Safety Equipment |
|
If you go on the ice, you need to prepare to go through it and into cold water. Here is some equipment that can help you.
Personal Safety Kit
- Ice Picks
- Lighter
- Pocket Knife
- Ice Staff/Stick
- Compass
- Cellphone/Radio
- Waterproof matches
- Whistle
- Buoyant Suit/PFD
General Safety Supplies
- Sounding Device
- Compass/GPS
- 3-8 meters of rope
- Signaling device
- First Aid Kit
- Map
- Throw Bag
Winter Survival Supplies
- High Energy Foods
- Signal Mirror
- Tarp
- Extra Clothing
- Emergency Water
- Flashlight
- Duct Tape
- Small Stove w/ Fuel
- Matches/Lighter
- Blanket
- Pocket Knife
- Small Axe
|
| Going Through The Ice |
| If You Go Through |
|
Be Prepared - Carry safety spikes/spud bar
Brace Yourself - Hold your breath, be ready
Stay Calm - You have some time, don't go into 'cold shock'
Find The Hole - It's the way in and the way out
Stay Afloat - Keep your head above water
Control Breathing - It will help conserve energy
Get In Position - Find the strongest ice
Get Out - Kick your feet and use your arms and elbows to get your body up on the ice
Roll Away - Don't stand up, roll away from the hole
Retrace the Path - Go back the way you got there
Get Warm - Keep yourself warm as you are still at risk of hypothermia
|
| If Someone Else Goes Through |
|
Call For Help - Call 911 immediately
Reach - Try to reach the victim with a ladder, stick, pole, rope, battery cables etc.
Throw - Throw the victim anything that floats such as a cooler or spare tire
Don't Go - Never go on the ice. Wait for trained emergency help.
|
|
|
