Fire Protection and Prevention Act
The Fire Protection and Prevention Act sets forth the powers of fire officials with respect to, among other things, their right to enter premises to fight fires and to inspect for compliance with fire prevention regulations. Most importantly for service managers and housing providers, the Act authorizes the Fire Code. Building owners are responsible for ensuring the many requirements in the Code are complied with. Particularly relevant sections of the Code include the following:
- Section 2 requires the elimination or control of fire hazards in and around buildings, the maintenance of certain life safety systems in buildings, the establishing of a fire safety plan in buildings and the installation of smoke alarms in dwelling units;
- Section 6 provides for the installation, inspection, testing, maintenance and operation of portable extinguishers, fire alarm systems and voice communication systems, smoke alarms, standpipe and hose systems, automatic sprinkler systems, water supplies for fire protection and emergency power installations;
- Section 7 regulates the checking, inspection, testing and maintenance of fire emergency systems installed in high buildings;
- Section 9 deals with the retrofitting and upgrading of existing buildings.