Pubdate: Thu, 30 Jan 2014
Source: Niagara Falls Review, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2014 Niagara Falls Review
Contact: http://www.niagarafallsreview.ca/letters
Website: http://www.niagarafallsreview.ca
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2907
Author: Alison Langley

HEFTY FINES FOR FIRE CODE VIOLATIONS

Having a marijuana grow up in her basement resulted in a $30,000 fine
against a Niagara Falls homeowner.

The local woman was found guilty before Justice of the Peace Ronald
Whalen in Niagara Falls provincial offences court earlier this month
to four charges under the Ontario Fire Code.

The charges, laid in June 2012, included operating a heating and
ventilation system in a way that created a hazard.

"People who operate grow ops in their houses are running additional
power supplies that aren't to code and that poses a risk not only to
occupants but also to first responders that might have to attend that
property for a fire," said Ben Trendle, captain of fire prevention at
the Niagara Falls Fire Department.

Modifying ventilation systems can also compromise furnaces and hot
water tanks, he added, creating a carbon monoxide hazard.

In an unrelated case, a Niagara Falls landlord was fined $7,500 after
being found guilty of three Fire Code violations from April 2011
including failing to maintain smoke alarms.

Also in court, a $2,000 fine was levied against a Niagara Falls
homeowner for failing to install a smoke alarm.

In that case, firefighters responded to a fire at a Niagara Falls home
in July 2012 and discovered the residence did not have any smoke alarms.

Ontario law requires that working smoke alarms be located on every
storey of a home and outside all sleeping areas. Failure to comply
with smoke alarm requirements could result in a fine of up to $50,000
for individuals or $100,000 for corporations.

"Smoke alarms are the most essential tool to surviving a fire,"
Trendle said.

"We can't tolerate not installing or maintaining smoke alarms. There's
no reason for people not to be aware that they're an important
life-saving system."

The fire department did not release the names of the parties
involved.

[sidebar]

SMOKE ALARMS

Ontario law requires that working smoke alarms be located on every
storey of a home and outside all sleeping areas.

Test smoke alarms monthly.

Change the battery in each smoke alarm once a year.

Vacuum the exterior of the smoke alarm.

Replace smoke alarms that are more than 10 years old.

Carbon monoxide detectors are mandatory in all homes in Niagara
Falls.SMOKE ALARMS  
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D