Fire inspectors to issue fines on the spot for infractions

MONTREAL At a routine fire safety inspection of a three-storey apartment building in Pointe-Claire on Friday, inspectors found several serious infractions, including a dozen used barbecue propane canisters cluttering a third-floor hallway, a fire exit blocked by an old stove, and disabled smoke detectors in two of the apartments.

This is about average, said Derry Spence, chief of the prevention section of the Montreal fire department after the two-hour inspection. I have seen a lot worse.

In the past, the owner of the building might have been given some time to clean up his act. But now that Montreal Island municipalities have adopted common fire safety bylaws that match the federal fire prevention code, Spence says its no more Mr. Nice Guy.

In the past we kind of took people by the hand and it took too long to get things done, he said. Now owners really have to assume fire prevention responsibility for their buildings because we will be starting the legal process on the spot, for certain infractions.

Fines of between $500 and $4,000 will be issued immediately for each infraction when it comes to certain bylaws considered critical to protecting human life, such as ensuring a sprinkler system is properly supplied with water or that fire alarms work.

The province began to push municipalities to improve their fire prevention plans back in 2003. Last fall, the last of the island municipalities finally adopted the modernized and uniform fire prevention bylaws, in line with the federal fire prevention code. There has been a moratorium on applying the new rules while the fire department updated its methods and equipment to be able to quickly and efficiently apply the uniform bylaws across the island.

In June, that moratorium was lifted and now the department has launched a broad communications campaign to let property owners know not only that the rules have changed, but also that they mean business.

On Friday morning, Spence and fire prevention officer Brian Michaud showed up at the Pointe-Claire apartment building without warning the owner or residents.

In the past we would send a letter to let them know we were coming in advance; we dont do that anymore, Spence said.

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Fire inspectors to issue fines on the spot for infractions