Did you know?
Do you recall the devastating fire that took place at a Swiss ski resort bar this past New Year’s Eve? The devastating fire resulted in 41 fatalities and 116 injuries, leaving a profound and lasting impact on the victims’ families, first responders, and the community at large. As reported across multiple media platforms along with videos posted, it is believed sparkling candles/sparklers atop Champagne bottles ignited the fire when they came too close to the ceiling. In addition, it was also reported that “fire safety inspections” hadn’t been done since 2019.
Inspect-to-correct
The Fort Frances Fire Rescue Service conducts fire safety inspections in all types of occupancies within Fort Frances and addresses violations of the Ontario Fire Code and other fire safety hazards within the authority of the Fire Protection and Prevention Act.
I have always believed that a proactive approach is our community’s best defense. During my tenure as Fire Chief for the Town of Fort Frances from 2016 to 2024, we turned that belief into action by prioritizing professional development. By certifying more of our crew as NFPA 1031 Level 1 Fire Inspectors, we didn’t just wait for emergencies to happen—we invested in the expertise required to prevent them.
I’m still incredibly proud of what that team accomplished; at one point, our 6 full-time firefighters managed to clear 230+ fire safety inspections and re-inspections in a single year. It’s a testament to what a small, highly trained team can do for community safety.
Compliance with the Ontario Fire Code
During a fire safety inspection, a fire inspector looks for compliance with the Ontario Fire code. Here’s a short list of items an inspector will look for:
- Fire hydrants
- Fire safety plans
- Electrical issues
- Heating equipment
- Laundry equipment
- Fire department access
- Damaged fire separations
- Blocked & obstructed exits
- Fire department connections
- Commercial cooking systems
- Special fire suppression systems
- Exit lights and emergency lighting
- Unsafe accumulation of combustible materials
- Obstructed exit routes, hallways, and stairwells
- Improper storage of flammable liquids or gasses
- Fire alarm systems (panels and pull stations), where required
- Records (documentation) of tests for all fire safety equipment
- Portable fire extinguishers and automatic sprinkler systems, where required
- Smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, and heat detectors, where required
Mandatory annual fire inspections
In the province of Ontario, the Ontario Fire Code requires annual mandatory fire safety inspections—also known as routine inspections—of all Vulnerable Occupancies, which includes:
- Hospitals
- Group homes
- Nursing homes
- Retirement homes
Note: Fire Inspectors are also required to observe an annual fire evacuation drill, carried out by supervisory staff in all Vulnerable Occupancies.
Fire safety inspections based on other criteria
Fire Prevention Inspectors also perform fire safety inspections based on:
- Requests
- Complaint (safety concern)
- Proactive inspections and enforcement
Note: Typically, when a complaint or request for assistance is received, the fire service must conduct an assessment and, if necessary, a full fire safety inspection.
So, we must all realize that many hotels/motels throughout Ontario may not have a fire safety inspection, unless there is a request, complaint (safety concern), or the established fire service practices proactive inspections and enforcement. Therefore, according to the Fire Code, an “owner” is responsible for complying with all provisions of the “fire code” unless otherwise specified.
The tragic fire in Switzerland is why “the key eight principles of life safety” are so critical and are the foundational framework used in fire safety legislation, fire codes, and building codes to protect occupants from fire and other emergencies.
Occupant Load
Occupant load refers to the maximum number of people that can safely occupy space at a given time. In the province of Ontario, “occupant load” is determined using methods outlined in the Ontario Building Code (OBC), primarily by dividing the floor area of a space by a specific occupant load factor assigned based on the type of use or occupancy. The specific method depends on the nature and design of the space. As well, “occupant load” is primarily addressed as a key factor within the principle of “mean of egress” in the “principles of life safety.”
Additionally, the “occupant load” directly determines the requirements for the “means of egress,” such as the necessary number and widths of exits, stairwells, doorways, as well as required signage and lighting, to ensure all people can evacuate the building safely.
There are Seven Principles of Life Safety, which are well known throughout the fire service; these principles form the foundation of the respected Territorial/Provincial Fire Codes throughout Canada. Beyond the standard list, there is a widely accepted eighth principle (education and training) that many safety advocates consider essential. Furthermore, these key principles focus on building design, systems, and occupant actions.
The Key Eight: principles of life safety
Here are the Key Eight and a brief overview of what they cover:
- Means of egress: Provisions for safe evacuation, which includes clear, safe exit routes, including paths, doors, signs, and lighting.
- Interior finishes: Regulating materials on the walls, floors, and ceilings to control flame spread, and smoke development.
- Compartmentation: Limiting fire spread to fire-rated separations.
- Building services: Managing potential fire hazards from building systems such as: boilers, furnaces, plumbing, piping, and electrical systems, etc.
- Building construction: Building materials and structural integrity to resist fire, as well as fire department access.
- Fire protection systems: Active systems like sprinklers, standpipes, and fixed pextinguishing systems etc.
- Fire alarm & detection systems: Alerting occupants to a fire condition by way of: alarms, smoke detection, heat detection, carbon monoxide detection, pull stations, annunciator panels etc.
- Education & training: This includes educating and training building occupants such as workers, supervisors, superintendents, managers, landlords, tenants, and even building owners. Education and training is a fundamental component of “life safety” and involves educating and training people on fire safety plans, evacuation, fire drills and system use, as well as roles in maintaining the systems and what to do in the event of an emergency.
Fire safety legislation, fire codes and building codes matter
Fire safety legislation, fire safety codes and building codes are vital safeguards. Most, if not all, are born from the lessons of past tragedies, reflecting the ongoing commitment to ensuring that every environment—whether for work, home, or celebration—is fundamentally safe.
Remember, taking the time to learn and practice injury prevention costs you nothing. Failing to do so, could lead to the unthinkable … the loss of your life and the lives of those you hold dear.
Safety—it starts with you.
