Calgary Fire Department stresses fire code compliance in relation to recent court ruling

A Court of Queen’s judge has ruled that the owner of the Shamrock Hotel (2101 11 Street S.E.)  was in violation of two counts of the Alberta Fire Code in relation to a fire that occurred on August 28, 2012.

 

The penalty for those violations require payment of $30,000 in fines. The Calgary Fire Department decided to pursue the charges as a result to gross negligence including the inability for patrons to access the fire escapes due to the fire doors not being closed, allowing smoke to fill the building’s corridors.

 

“It was lucky that there was no loss of life in this instance,” said Ed Kujat, Fire Marshal, Calgary Fire Department. “Tampering with or disabling a building’s life safety design features, such as fire doors in this case, unnecessarily puts lives at risk. Building owners are responsible for the care and safety of their tenants and must ensure that everything is working as it should on a daily basis.”

 

Eleven people were on the premise when the fire occurred. Fire crews broke out several large 3m x 3m panes of glass to aid in rescue and ventilation. Three people were transported to the hospital and treated for smoke inhalation.

 

“We will continue to ensure that building owners are educated and then held accountable for infractions against the Alberta Fire Code. This should not be a matter of inconvenience for them, as it could be a matter of life and death," said Kujat.

 

The Alberta Fire Code (2006) outlines the minimum standards that business and building owners must maintain. The maximum penalties for charges in this instance were applied as set out by the Alberta Fire Code for violations occurring before Dec. 31, 2012. Penalties for violations have gone up significantly for offences occurring after Dec. 31 2012 – from a maximum penalty of $15,000 per offence to a maximum of $100,000 per offence.

 

The Calgary Fire Department enforces the provincial fire codes to uphold citizens right to live in safe dwellings within fire safe communities. Members of the department continually work to reduce injuries and fatalities through its inspection, prevention and public education programs.

 

To learn more about the Alberta Fire Code or Building Owner’s Responsibilities for Fire Safety Equipment​​, visit Calgary.ca

 

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