Fire Prevention and Regulation Bylaw No. 627

Belcarra, British Columbia

This is an automated transcription (OCR) of the captured official document — minor recognition errors are possible; the source document governs. Snapshot 10c06e91545a · verified 2026-06-08 · original document · archived snapshot · unofficial consolidation, the official version is held by the municipal clerk.

<!-- image --> ## VILLAGE OF BELCARRA Fire Prevention and Regulation Bylaw No. 627, 2024 <!-- image --> A bylaw for the prevention and suppression of fires, for regulating personal conduct at fires, and for authorization of permits in the Village of Belcarra WHEREAS pursuant to section 8(2) of the Community Charter, a municipality may provide certain services that the council considers necessary or desirable, including the provision of fire protection and life safety services: WHEREAS sections 8(3)(a), 8(3)(g) and 63(c) of the Community Charter permit a municipality to, by bylaw, regulate, prohibit, and impose requirements in relation to municipal services and the health, safety and protection of persons on property in relation to any matter within the scope of the Fire Services Act; WHEREAS section 66 of the Community Charter permits a municipality to, by bylaw, authorize the municipal fire chief to exercise certain powers including the power to enter on property and inspect premises for conditions that may cause a fire, increase the danger of a fire or increase the danger to persons or property from a fire; to take measures to prevent and suppress fires, including the demolition of buildings and other structures to prevent the spreading of fire; to require an owner or occupier of real property to undertake any actions directed by the Fire Chief or other authorized person for the purpose of removing or reducing any thing or condition that person considers is a fire hazard; and exercise some or all of the powers of the fire commissioner under section 25 of the Fire Services Act; AND WHEREAS, the Village of Belcarra deems it expedient and desirable to provide such regulations for provision of fire prevention and fire suppression services; NOW THEREFORE, the Council of the Village of Belcarra in open meeting enacts as follows: ## 1. CITATION - 1.1 That this Bylaw may be cited for all purposes as "Village of Belcarra Fire Prevention and Regulation Bylaw No. 627n 2024." ## INTERPRETATION - 2.1 Except as otherwise defined herein, words and phrases in this Bylaw shall be construed in accordance with the meanings under the BC Building Code, the BC Fire Code, the Fire Services Act or the Community Charter, as the context and circumstances require. A reference to an Act refers to a statute of British Columbia unless otherwise indicated, and a reference to any statute, regulation, code, bylaw or other enactment refers to that enactment as it may be amended or replaced from time to time. - 2.2 In the event of a conflict, discrepancy, variation or inconsistency between any provision of this Bylaw and the BC Building Code, the BC Fire Code or the Fire Services Act, the provisions of the BC Building Code, the BC Fire Code or the Fire Services Act, as the case may be, shall prevail over the provisions of this bylaw to the extent of any conflict, discrepancy, variation or inconsistency. ## 2.3 In this Bylaw, "Apparatus" means any vehicle provided with machinery, devices, equipment or materials intended for fire protection, fire suppression or assistance response, or motor vehicles used to transport fire fighters or supplies; and includes Members' private vehicles when used for Fire/Rescue Services. "Approved" means as authorized by the Fire Chief or an Officer of the Sasamat Volunteer Fire Department. "Building" means any structure used or intended for supporting or sheltering any use or occupancy. "Building Code" means the BC Building Code, as amended or superseded, from time to time. "Combustible Material" means any material capable of being ignited. "Council" means the Municipal Council of the Village of Belcarra. "Equipment" means any tools, contrivances, devices, appurtenances, hoses or materials used by the Fire Department at an incident or Fire/Rescue Service. "Explosive" means gunpowder, nitroglycerine, gun cotton, dynamite, blasting gelatin, gelignite, fulminate of mercury or other metals, colored fire, and every other substance used or manufactured to produce a violent effect by explosion, or a pyrotechnic effect; and shall include fireworks, fuses, rockets, percussion caps, detonator, cartridges, and ammunition. "False Alarm" means the activation of a Fire Alarm System, as a result of which fire services are provided, including the attendance of the Fire Department, and an Officer does not find any evidence of fire, fire damage, smoke in relation to the building, structure, residence or facility or other emergency, and no reasonable basis exists for having activated the Fire Alarm System. False Alarm incidents include but are not limited to: - a) the testing of an alarm which results in a response by the Fire Department; 2. an alarm actually or apparently activated by mechanical failure, malfunction or faulty equipment; - C) an alarm activated by user error; - d) an alarm actually or apparently activated by atmospheric conditions, excessive vibrations or power failure. "Fire Alarm System" means a device or devices installed on or in real property and designed to issue a warning of a fire by activating an audible alarm signal or alerting a monitoring facility but does not include a fire alarm system that is intended to alert only the occupants of the premises in which it is installed. "Fire Chief" means the person duly appointed to such position by the Metro Vancouver Sasamat Volunteer Fire Department Board of Trustees and in his/her absence means the Acting Fire Chief as designated by the Sasamat Volunteer Fire Department Board of Trustees or by the Fire Chief, until such time as a new Fire Chief can be appointed by the Sasamat Volunteer Fire Department Board of Trustees. "Fire Code" means the BC Fire Code, as amended or superseded, from time to time. "Fire Department" or "SVFD" means the Sasamat Volunteer Fire Department. "Fire Protection Equipment" includes but is not limited to, fire alarm systems, automatic sprinkler systems, special extinguisher systems, portable fire extinguishers, fire hydrants, water supplies for fire protection, standpipe and hose systems, fixed pipe fire suppression systems in commercial cooking exhaust systems, smoke control measures and emergency power installations; "Fire/Rescue Services" means all aspects of the SVFD including, but not limited to, fire prevention, public service, firefighting or suppression, pre-fire planning, fire investigation, emergency first aid, rescue, public education and information, training, emergency preparedness or other staff development and advising. "Garage" means any building, premise, structure or any portion thereof used as a place of business, for the purpose placing, keeping, repairing or demolishing one or more motor vehicles "Garbage" means all household and trade waste. "Incident" means any emergency or non-emergency situation, wherein the attendance of the SVFD is dispatched, requested, required or warranted to prevent injury, loss of life, damage or loss to property or damage to the environment. "Incident Commander" means the Fire Chief or an Officer or in the absence of an Officer the Member or Probationary Member who is in charge or has control and management of the Incident "Inspector" means a member authorized by the Fire Chief to carry out inspections of buildings and other property and to exercise the powers of a local assistant under the Fire Safety Act, as amended or superseded from time to time. "Member" means the Fire Chief, Officer or fire department member that is duly appointed by the SVFD Board of Trustees as a Member of the Fire Department. "Occupant" means an owner, tenant, lessee, agent, licensee, and any other person who has the right of access to and control of any private land, building or premises to which this Bylaw applies. "Officer" - means the Fire Chief and any member with authority to assist the Fire Chief in his duties and includes Deputy Fire Chief, District Chief, Acting District Chief, Captain, Acting Captain, Lieutenant, Acting Lieutenant, Training Officer, Acting Training Officer, Safety Office, Acting Safety Officer, Equipment Officer, Acting Equipment Officer and Incident Safety Officer. "Out Of Control" as highlighted within this Bylaw means; when a fire spreads beyond the boundaries of the parcel of land or containment area in which it was first ignited, or threatens to do so, or when it endangers any life, building or property, or when the fly ash or burning brands are causing or have the potential to cause other fires, or when such fire is left unattended. Fires located on private property when no open burning permit has been approved or issued are considered out of control. "Policy" means one or more Fire Prevention Policies adopted by Council from time to time. "Probationary Member" means any person who has completed basic training and is accepted by the Fire Chief to continue as a Probationary Member but has not completed one year probation or is not accepted as a Member of the Fire Department. "Trade Waste" means refuse and accumulation of waste and abandoned materials resulting from the operation of industry, trade or business including paper, boxes and packing cases, wrapping materials, sweepings, building construction waste and all flammable or combustible materials of a like nature other than garbage or ashes. "Vehicle" means all types of motor vehicles, as defined in the Motor Vehicle Act, farm tractors and includes mobile machinery. "Village" means the Village of Belcarra. ## FIRE DEPARTMENT - 3.1 The Fire Chief or Officers of the SVFD are authorized to exercise the powers conferred by this Bylaw for the Village. - 3.2 If the Fire Chief or an Officer, on account of the existence or potential for an incident deems it advisable, the Officer may cancel or suspend for such time as is specified in the order, any permits issued pursuant to this Bylaw, or the Officer may attach to any or all such permits such conditions and restrictions as the Officer thinks proper. ## RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES OF FIRE CHIEF - 4.1 The Fire Chief shall be responsible for administering this Bylaw. ## 5. AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER PROPERTY - 5.1 The Fire Chief and their designates are authorized to enter onto property and inspect premises, in accordance with section 21 of the Fire Services Act, with or without Apparatus and Equipment, for conditions that may cause a fire, increase the danger of a fire or increase the danger to persons or property from a fire. - 5.2 The Fire Chief and their designates are authorized to enter onto property and into buildings or structures in accordance with Section 21 of the Fire Services Act, to inspect and determine whether all regulations, prohibitions are being met in relation to any matter contained in this Bylaw, the Fire Services Act and its regulations and the Fire Code. - 5.3 The Fire Chief and their designates are authorized to enter onto property and into buildings or structures, in accordance with section 21 of the Fire Services Act, including those adjacent to an incident, with or without apparatus or equipment, to take measures to prevent and suppress fires or deal with another form of incident. ## 6. AREA RESTRICTIONS AND ORDERS ## 6.1 Orders Restricting Burning If the Fire Chief is of the opinion that conditions exist that present unusual risk to the safety of life or property by exposure to fire, and deems it expedient to take steps to reduce the risk, the Fire Chief may, by written order, restrict or prohibit any of the following within the Village or any area or part of the Village: - (a) campfires, beach fires, or burning in the open air of any kind; - burning outdoors for cooking or heating purposes using devices other than gas, propane or electric barbecues or similar cooking or heating devices that meet Canadian Standards Association certification standards; - (C) lighting and smoking a cigarette, cigar, pipe or other smoking material in or near wooded areas, parks or public places that are vulnerable to catching fire by inappropriate disposal of smoking materials; and the order may include conditions and impose requirements as to times, locations, purposes, materials, fuel, equipment, supervision, monitoring, size and any other criteria that the Fire Chief considers to be relevant and appropriate in the circumstances. ## 6.2 Orders Restricting Entry into Parks or Woodland Areas - (a) If the Fire Chief determines that the safety of life or property or both in any area within the Village is endangered through the hazardous condition of the forest cover or the occurrence of spread of fire burning in any forest or woodland, the Fire Chief may, by an order in writing, declare that area or any portion thereof as closed and restrict or prohibit entry by persons into that area. - (b) Without limiting an order under section 6.2(a), when the fire danger rating from the Metro Vancouver Fire Weather Reporting System reaches High or Extreme, the Fire Chief may, by written order, declare any park or trail system, or part thereof, as closed and restrict or prohibit entry by persons into any parks or trail systems within the Village. - 6.3 Without limiting the power and authority vested in them by the Fire Services Act, the Fire Chief or any Inspector may, in writing, order: - (a) the correction or removal of any condition or thing in or about any building which is in contravention of this Bylaw; or - (b) an owner, or the agent of an owner, of a vacant building to secure a building against entry as provided for in section 12.3. - 6.4 An order shall be sufficiently served if delivered by hand to the person to whom it is issued and, in the case of an owner, if delivered by registered mail to the address of the owner as it appears on the records of the Assessment Authority of British Columbia, and by posting a copy of it on the building, structure or thing to which it relates. - 6.5 An order issued under this section shall state a date by which the order shall be complied with or carried out, which date shall, at the discretion of the Fire Chief or Inspector, have regard to the degree of urgency involved in correcting or removing conditions which may tend to increase the hazard of fire or danger to life and property. ## 7. NOTICE AND EFFECTIVE PERIOD - 7.1 An order made under section 6 of this bylaw comes into effect: - (a) when the order is delivered to the Corporate Officer and posted to the notice board in Village Hall, or - (b) when the order is posted in or near entrances to parks, trails, forest or woodland areas, whichever time is earlier, and remains in effect until the Fire Chief notifies the Corporate Officer that the conditions on which the order is based are no longer present or sufficiently hazardous to warrant the restrictions or prohibitions. - 7.2 On receiving an order by the Fire Chief, the Corporate Officer may arrange for providing additional notice and related information to the public using any means of communication the Corporate Officer considers appropriate in the circumstances which may include posting information on the Village website and circulating a notification using the Resident/Owner Email Notification Service. ## DUTY TO COMPLY Every person shall observe the restrictions, prohibitions, conditions and requirements established by an order made under section 6. ## 9. INSPECTIONS - 9.1 In addition to the powers vested in them by the Fire Services Act, the Fire Department may enter into or upon any lands, premises, yards or building to ascertain whether: - (a) the requirements of this Bylaw are being complied with; and/or - (b) conditions exist which may cause or increase the risk of fire. - 9.2 Every owner and occupant of premises shall provide all information and shall render all assistance required by the Fire Chief or an Inspector in connection with the inspection of such premises. - 9.3 No person shall obstruct, hinder or prevent an Inspector from entering into or upon any land, premises or property for the purpose of inspecting the same. - 9.4 The Fire Chief may establish and supervise a self-inspection program for any class of occupancy. - 9.5 If a self-inspection program is established the owner of premises in the specified occupancy class shall: - (a) perform or cause to be performed the inspection of the premises in accordance with the requirements of the Fire Chief; and - (b) complete and return to the Fire Chief a report in the form specified by the Fire Chief and within the time specified by the Fire Chief. - 9.6 Every person providing private self-inspection services to owners or otherwise providing private inspection, testing or maintenance of fire safety systems must be approved by the Fire Chief and registered with the Fire Department as a provider of those services. - 9.7 The Fire Chief, Officer or Incident Commander, including apparatus, equipment, members and Probationary Members deemed necessary by the Incident Commander, at all reasonable times may enter any premises, building, structure and onto any real property to mitigate an incident; or to inspect for conditions which may cause an incident, fire or increase the danger of a fire or increase the danger to persons as per section 5 and no person shall obstruct or refuse admittance for the purpose of such mitigation or inspection. - 9.8 The Fire Chief, Officer or Incident Commander, may restrict or bar access to any premises, building, structure or to any real property, as deemed necessary to prevent injury to the public or to preserve evidence until authority is transferred to a Peace Officer or to the Fire Commissioner for the Province of British Columbia. - 9.9 The Fire Chief, Officer or Incident Commander, in consideration of the appropriate mitigation of an Incident, may elect to allow property to be removed, damaged, altered or destroyed in order to prevent personal injury, damage or loss to other buildings, structures, property or damage to the environment. - 9.10 The Fire Chief, Officer or Incident Commander, in consideration of the appropriate mitigation of an Incident, may elect to restrict or deny access on any public road or highway within the Village. - 9.11 No person shall tamper with, damage, disconnect or drive a motor vehicle over any equipment or fire hose unless directed to do so by the Fire Chief, Officer, Incident Commander, Member or Probationary Member of the SVFD. - 9.12 Every owner and occupant of real property shall remove anything and everything from a building or yard which, in the opinion of the Fire Chief, is a fire hazard. - 9.13 The metal covers required on receptacles provided for the storage of combustible material as set forth in the BC Fire Code shall be kept closed at all times and maintained in good and efficient repair and working order. - 9.14 Where doors or shutters are installed in any building to prevent the spread of fire within such building, such doors or shutters shall at all times be kept and maintained in good and efficient repair and working order. - 9.15 It shall be unlawful for any person to deposit, or allow or permit to be deposited, except in a metallic or non-combustible or non-flammable receptacle, ashes, or other material or thing from any stove, furnace or fireplace, or any greasy or oily rags or other material, things, or substances liable to spontaneous combustion. - 9.16 It shall be unlawful for any person to deposit, or allow or cause to be deposited, any paper, straw, hay, shavings, or any other combustible or flammable material or thing in or among any ashes or other materials or thing taken from any stove, furnace or fireplace. - 9.17 Every occupant of any building or premises who makes, stores, uses, or has charge or control of any business or trade waste or any other flammable or combustible material, shall at the close of each day, compact, bale or stack, or cause all such material to be compacted, baled or stacked in a safe manner, in accordance with the opinion of any Officer; or the occupant shall store such material in non-combustible receptacles, having tight fitting, noncombustible lids, and such lids shall be at all times kept on such receptacles when in use. - 9.18 No occupant of any building shall permit any chimney stove pipe or flue therein to become unclean or take fire; provided that such occupant shall not be liable to a charge hereunder if the said chimney or flue has been cleaned by a duly qualified or licensed chimney sweep within a period of twelve months prior to the Fire Chief or Officer's inspection or fire. - 9.19 No occupant shall use, maintain, suffer, permit or allow the use of any defective stove, heating device or heating appliance in any building, and if, in the opinion of the Fire Chief any defective stove or heating device or heating appliance is used or maintained in any building, the occupant of such building on the order of the Fire Chief shall forthwith remove or cause to be removed, or repair or cause to be repaired to the satisfaction of the Fire Chief, any such defective stove, heating device or heating appliance. - 9.20 All gas or electric appliances shall be used in accordance with Federal and Provincial regulations. - 9.21 After an inspection, the Fire Chief may order in writing that within a reasonable time set out in the Order, the owner or occupant remove, destroy, repair, or take precautions against any fire hazard or alter the use of the occupancy of the premises, as set out in the Order. - 9.22 It shall be unlawful for any person to obstruct any fire escape, exit door, exit corridor or required exit window, or to obstruct any exit leading to any fire-escape in any building; and all fire escapes and required exits in buildings shall at all times be kept and maintained free and in good order and repair satisfactory to the Fire Chief. All exits in buildings shall be maintained free from obstruction. - 9.23 In the case of a public or private school, orphanage, nursing home, day care, children's home, or other institution for the education or care of children, the person in charge thereof shall adopt and practice a system of fire drills or exercises as approved by the Fire Chief. On the sounding of the fire alarm in any such building, it shall be the responsibility of the teacher or other person in charge of children at the time of the sounding of the alarm to remove all children clear of the building, to a point of safety, and account for the number of children so removed. The children shall be kept at the point of safety until the Fire Department has investigated the cause of the alarm and given permission to re-enter the building. ## 10. CONDUCT OF PERSONS ## 10.1 Reporting of Fires Every owner or occupant of premises where a fire has occurred, which results in destruction or damage to property or as a result of which death has occurred must report the fire immediately to the Fire Department, the Fire Chief, or a Peace Officer. ## 10.2 Assistance of the Public Every person at or near a fire, emergency, or other incident shall comply with the orders or directions of any Member and provide any information that person may have relating to the fire, emergency or other incident to any Member who requests that information. Any person refusing to comply with an order of a Member may be removed from the scene by a Peace Officer. ## 10.3 Restricted Entry at Incident The Fire Chief or Incident Commander at a fire, emergency, or other incident may establish limited entry areas in the vicinity of the fire, emergency or incident, and no person shall enter that area without the permission of the Fire Chief or Incident Commander. ## 10.4 Non-Interference Unless authorized by the Fire Chief or an Incident Commander, no person shall: - (a) drive a vehicle over any line or lines of fire hoses, whether in use or otherwise; - (b) stand within 9 metres of any fire hose unless authorized to do so by an Officer; or - (C) except as a Member, ride on any Fire truck or other Fire vehicle or apparatus at any time. ## 11. FALSE INFORMATION No person shall: - (a) purposely withhold or falsify any information required by the Fire Chief or any Officer designated by the Fire Chief; or - (b) make false representation as to being a Member of the Fire Department, or wear or display any Fire Department badge, cap, button, insignia or other paraphernalia for the purpose of such false representation. ## 12. DUTIES OF OWNERS AND OCCUPIERS ## 12.1 Prevention of Fire Hazards - Buildings and Structures (General) No person, being an owner or occupant of any building or structure shall cause, permit, suffer or allow: - (a) the building or structure to remain in such a state of disrepair that a fire starting in the building or structure might spread rapidly to endanger life or other property - (b) the use or occupancy of the building or structure contrary to the BC Building Code, enactments related to heating, gas and electrical safety, or the use of related appliances, equipment or infrastructure; - (c) the use indoors of any cooking or heating device not approved by the Canadian Standards Association for indoor use; - (d) the use of any defective cooking or heating device in any building or structure; - (e) the use of an extension cord as a substitute for permanent wiring; - (f) the use or storage of combustible or explosive material on the premises, except in accordance with the BC Fire Code, this Bylaw, another applicable enactment, or an order or direction of a Fire Inspector, the Fire Chief or the Fire Commissioner; or - (g) any known fire or explosion hazard to exist or remain in or around a building or structure or on any property. ## 12.2 Securing Premises Where Fire Has Occurred If requested by an Officer, an Owner or occupier shall secure a premise that has been damaged by fire, explosion or similar event to prevent the entry of unauthorized persons. The premise shall be secured in a manner approved by the Officer which may include, but is not limited to, any of the following measures: - (a) boarding up the building or structure by affixing structural barriers to windows, doorways and other points of ingress to a vacant building; - (b) security fencing or other perimeter barriers; - (0) supplying twenty-four (24) hour security services by a licensed security company. If the property owner or occupier cannot be located, fails to respond within 45 minutes of being notified by an Officer, or fails to undertake the securing of any premises damaged by fire, the Fire Department may cause the work to be carried out, and all costs incurred by the Village shall be the responsibility of the property owner. If costs incurred by the Village are not fully paid by December 31st of that year, the amount may be recovered in the same manner as for collection for property taxes in arrears. ## 12.3 Securing Vacant Premises Every owner of a vacant premises must promptly act to ensure that, at all times: - (a) the premises are free from litter and debris or accumulations of combustible or flammable materials except in strict accordance with the BC Fire Code and this Bylaw; and - (b) the premises are made and kept secure against unauthorized entry or occupation, or other fire hazards, by one or more of the following methods: - (i) boarding up the building or structure by affixing structural barriers to windows, doorways and other points of ingress to a vacant building; - (ii) security fencing or other perimeter barriers; or - (ili) supplying twenty-four (24) hour security services by a licensed security company. Where an Inspector has found a premises to be non-compliant with this section 12.3, the Inspector may, by notice in writing, order the owner to bring the property into compliance within a time period specified in the notice. If the owner fails to bring the premises into compliance within 24 hours of its being delivered or such further time period set out in the notice, or if the owner cannot be located or contacted within 24 hours of finding the premises in a non-compliant state, the Fire Chief may arrange to have the premises brought into compliance by the Village or a person acting on the Village's behalf. If costs incurred by the Village are not fully paid by December 31st of that year, the amount may be recovered in the same manner as for collection for property taxes in arrears. ## 13. FIRE &amp; EMERGENCY SERVICES ACCESS ## 13.1 Emergency Access Routes An owner or occupier of premises must not: - (a) block or obstruct any primary or secondary emergency access route with a gate; or - (b) park a vehicle in an emergency access route or interfere with, hinder or obstruct access to an emergency access route by Fire Department apparatus unless authorized to do so by the Fire Chief. - 13.2 Every gate, bollard, chain or other structure used to secure a required emergency access route must be approved by the Fire Chief prior to installation. - 13.3 Every emergency access route much be clearly marked with permanent signage, in accordance with the BC Fire Code, or with highway marking of lines and words in a size and colour approved by the Fire Chief which must read: ## FIRE LANE - NO PARKING - 13.4 Every owner or occupier of premises must ensure that an emergency access route, when secured by a gate, bollard, chain or other structure, has a permanent mounted sign, on each side of the emergency access route which much read: ## EMERGENCY ACCESS ONLY NO PARKING OR OTHER OBSTRUCTIONS AS PER BELCARRA FIRE PREVENTION AND REGULATION BYLAW - 13.5 No person shall, by obstruction or any other means, prevent the use of an emergency access route by the SVFD or interfere or tamper with any gates, cables or other devices installed on such routes. - 13.6 Access and Keys Every owner or occupier of premises having a fire alarm system or an automatic fire sprinkler system, whether located on strata property or a private lot, must: - (a) ensure that access and required keys to the following areas are readily accessible to the Fire Department at all times: - the main entrance and all exterior doors - (ii) all common floor areas, service rooms and roof areas; - (iii) all doors that are locked from the exit stairs to floor areas; - (iv) as required to recall elevators and to permit independent operation of each elevator; - (v) all fire alarm control and enunciator panels and fire fighter telephone boxes; and - (b) notify the Fire Department when there has been a change of any access key and provide a copy of the new key to the Fire Department. ## 14. FIRE DAMAGED BUILDINGS - 14.1 The owner and other occupants of a building that has been damaged due to fire, explosion or similar catastrophic or damaging event must immediately act to ensure that the building is guarded or that all openings and points of entry into the building are kept securely closed and fastened in a manner acceptable to the Fire Chief, so as to prevent the entry of unauthorized persons. If the owner fails to provide security for this purpose within 2 hours of being notified by the Fire Chief, or such further time period as may be determined by the Fire Chief, the Fire Chief may cause security measures to be taken as necessary, and the owner shall be responsible for all costs incurred by the Village for those measures. ## 15. STORAGE TANKS, VALVES, STAND PIPES AND HYDRANTS - 15.1 No person, except SVFD members and Village employees, shall make use of stand pipes or hydrants without written permission from the Village or the Fire Chief. - 15.2 All unauthorized attachments found on stand pipes or hydrants may be confiscated by the Village or the Fire Chief or an Officer. - 15.3 No person shall obscure the visibility of a fire hydrant or standpipe. - 15.4 No person shall tamper, open, close or adjust any fire protection storage tanks, control valves, fire hydrants or stand pipes without written permission from the Village or the Fire Chief. - 15.5 No person shall park a motor vehicle within 5 metres of a fire hydrant or stand pipe. - 15.6 No person shall park or obstruct any road, street, fire access route, or service road located within the Village with a motor vehicle, structure or building. ## 16. HAZARDOUS ACTIVITIES - 16.1 The Fire Chief may charge the owner or occupant of lands or premises for the cost of cleaning, repairing or replacing Department equipment where such equipment has been contaminated, damaged, or destroyed by a hazardous substance or dangerous goods or otherwise rendered unusable as a result of an incident involving a hazardous substance or dangerous goods on or about those lands or premises. - 16.2 Where the Fire Chief is made aware of an activity or situation which, in the opinion of the Fire Chief, is hazardous to life or property, or may obstruct access or egress from a premises, the Fire Chief may: - (a) require that a fire watch be provided, in accordance with SVFD Operating Guidelines, by the owner or occupier of any lands or buildings where that activity or situation is occurring; - (b) order that the activity be stopped; - require that the activity be carried out only in compliance with a permit issued by the Fire Chief; - (d) evacuate the lands or buildings until such time as the hazard to life or property has been rectified; - (e) order the owner, owner's agent or occupant to remove the hazard or obstruction in a manner approved by the Fire Chief, in default of which the Fire Chief may have the hazard removed at the owner's expense. - Whenever in any building or premises, there shall exist any flammable, combustible, or explosive material or substance, or any dangerous or unnecessary accumulation of waste materials, or litter, of a nature especially liable to fire, and which materials are so situated, in the opinion of the Fire Chief, so as to endanger life or property, or to obstruct access or egress from such building or premises, in case of fire, or which may be liable to interfere with the operations of the SVFD, or where any condition exists which is considered by the Fire Chief to be a fire hazard, the occupant of such building or premises shall forthwith, on the order of the Fire Chief, have such flammable, combustible, or explosive material or substance, or any dangerous or unnecessary accumulation of waste materials or litter removed, disposed of, or otherwise dealt with as may be ordered or directed by the Fire ## 17. SPRINKLER SYSTEMS ## 17.1 Sprinkler Systems - General Every owner or occupant of a premises where a sprinkler system is installed or required under the BC Building Code must: - (a) inspect, test, maintain and repair the sprinkler system in accordance with the requirements of the Fire Code; - (b) upgrade the sprinkler system to accommodate any material change in use or occupancy that results in a greater fire hazard than that which the sprinkler system was intended to accommodate; and - (c) if a building or structure equipped with a sprinkler system on the property is being demolished, the sprinkler system shall be maintained and operating subject to sequential elimination until the demolition work is completed. ## 17.2 Fire Department Connections Every owner or occupant of a premises for which the BC Building Code requires Fire Department connections must ensure that: - (a) the connections are located and installed in accordance with the Building Code and that any equivalent measures or alternative solutions are approved by the Fire Chief; - (b) all connections and protective caps are kept clean, functional, and in place at all times, and to promptly clean, repair or replace connections or protective caps as necessary; - (c) accesses to Fire Department connections for sprinklers and standpipe systems are clearly identified, functional and in good repair; - (d) signs are displayed identifying which Fire Department connection serves a particular sprinkler or standpipe system and the maximum pumping inlet pressure at a Fire Department connection; - (e) each fire sprinkler and standpipe connection is kept free and clear, by at least one metre, from all shrubbery, trees, other vegetation, structures, buildings or other obstructions, in order to facilitate access to the connections by the Village; - each connection is clearly visible at all times from the Fire Department access route, or that alternatively approved directional signage to each connection is plainly in sight; and - (g) where the connection is installed on the exterior face of a building, a minimum clear space of 0.45 metres is provided in the area surrounding the connection. ## 18. FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS ## 18.1 Contact persons - 18.1.1 Every owner or occupant of a property or premises for which a fire alarm system or an automatic fire sprinkler system has been installed, must: - (a) arrange for at least one contact person to attend, upon notice, at the property or premises at any time the system is activated; - (b) ensure that any person appointed to be a contact person: - (i) is thoroughly familiar with the property or premises and with the operation of all fire protection equipment and any fire fighter elevators thereon; - (ii) is in possession of and is authorized and competent to use any and all keys, pass-cards, security codes and other entry devices or information necessary to gain access to and re-secure the property or premises; - (iii) is available at all times and is capable of attending at the property or premises within 45 minutes of the Fire Department arriving in response to an incident or activation of the system; and - (iv) is fully authorized to take possession and resume control of the property or premises from the Fire Department following the conclusion of its attendance; - (c) on a form approved by the Fire Chief, provide the Fire Chief with the name and telephone number of a contact person and an alternate who is available to attend, enter and secure the premises in the event that either system is activated and the Fire Department attends at the property; and - promptly notify the Fire Department of any changes to the contact persons or their phone numbers. - 18.1.2 If the Fire Department attends a premise where a fire alarm system or automatic fire sprinkler system has been activated and the contact person cannot be reached or has not appeared within 30 minutes, the Fire Department may enter the property or premises and any building or other structure thereon, using such means or force as may be necessary, to determine the cause of the alarm or activation of the system. - 18.1.3 In the absence of the owner, occupant or contact person being available during or at the conclusion of the Fire Department's attendance to secure the building as necessary, the Fire Department may arrange to provide a fire watch or 24-hour security until the building can be secured, and the owner of the property shall be liable for all costs incurred by the Village. ## 18.2 Installation - 18.2.1 The owner or occupant of a building that is equipped with a fire alarm system that is not continuously monitored must ensure that each manual fire alarm pull station has a permanent sign, as approved by the Fire Chief, mounted and reading: ## LOCAL ALARM ONLY - IN CASE OF FIRE CALL 9 - 1 - 1 - 18.2.2 Every owner or occupant of premises for which a fire alarm system is installed or required under the Building Code must inspect, test, maintain and repair the fire alarm system in accordance with the requirements of the Fire Code. - 18.2.3 The owner or occupant of premises containing a fire alarm system must notify the Fire Department prior to installation, service, testing, repair, maintenance, adjustment, alteration or replacement of a system. ## 18.3 Activation - 18.3.1 A person must not activate a fire alarm system unless: - (a) there is a fire; - (b) the person reasonably believes that a fire or other incident is occurring or is imminent; or - (c) the activation is carried out for testing purposes and the Fire Department has been notified prior to the activation. ## 18.4 False Alarm Incidents - 18.4.1 No person shall cause, or contribute to the cause of, a False Alarm. - 18.4.2 The owner of a property shall be responsible for the proper use, installation, maintenance and operation of any Fire Alarm System installed on or in the real property in order to ensure the prevention of False Alarms. - The owner of a premise containing a Fire Alarm System must on the occurrence of a third False Alarm and each subsequent False Alarm occurring within any 12-month period, pay the associated fee for False Alarms established by the Village of Belcarra Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw. ## 19. PRIVATE FIRE HYDRANTS - 19.1 In this section, private hydrant means any hydrant that is not owned by the Village and is installed on private property as part of a system of fire protection for that property. - 19.2 The owner or occupier of property that has a private hydrant shall ensure that the hydrant is maintained in good working condition at all times and that inspection, servicing and testing of the hydrant, is carried out by persons recognized as qualified to perform these services by the Office of the Fire Commissioner or a pertinent Standard, or an Officer of the fire department. The qualified person that performs the inspection, servicing and testing of the hydrant shall send a copy of the condition and repairs performed on such hydrants to the SVFD in order that the fire department records of private hydrants are kept up to date. - 19.3 The owner of a private hydrant shall not less than twice each year have the private hydrant flushed, drained and all threads of outlets and caps greased with waterproof grease. - 19.4 The owner of a private hydrant shall not less than once each year have all components of the hydrant inspected, serviced and tested - 19.5 The owner of a private hydrant shall keep the ground surface around the private hydrant clear of shrubs, trees, snow and ice accumulations, structures and other obstructions of any kind, in order to facilitate use of the hydrant by the Fire Department. - 19.6 Private hydrants shall conform to requirements in section 2.9. 1(c) in the Village of Belcarra Subdivision and Development Bylaw No. 492, 2015. ## 20. CIVIC AND UNIT ADDRESS - 20.1 The owner or occupier of premises shall ensure that: - (a) every building or premises is individually addressed with the civic address affixed so as to be plainly visible and legible from the main road or other ordinary access route; - (b) the letters or numbers of the civic address are of a colour that contrasts with any background colour of the building; - (c) each unit within a commercial and multi-residential property displays the unit number, in a visible location, at the entry to the unit; and - (d) all multi-residential complexes post directional signage that is clearly visible upon entry to the complex and that clearly indicate the direction and address or number of each unit within the complex. ## 21. FIRE SAFETY PLANS ## 21.1 Fire Safety Plan Requirements The owner of a premises, building, site, storage area or other property for which the BC Fire Code requires a fire safety plan must: - (a) ensure that the plan conforms to the standards and requirements of the BC Fire Code; - (b) prepare and reproduce the plan in an electronic format, using a form and diagram template acceptable to the Fire Chief, to be submitted to the Fire Department for review prior to occupancy; - (c) provide any alternative solutions for the construction of a new building pursuant to an agreement between the owner and the Village to the Fire Department for review in an electronic format acceptable to the Fire Chief; and - (d) provide copies of as-constructed drawings for any new building to the Fire Department in a format acceptable to the Fire Chief. - 21.2 Every owner and occupant of a premises, building, site, storage area or other property for which the Fire Code requires a fire safety plan must review the fire safety plan for that property at least annually, ensure that it continues to meet the standards and requirements of the Fire Code, and submit any updated plans to the Fire Department for review in a format that is acceptable to the Fire Chief. - 21.3 The owner of a building shall maintain in good working order or replace all installed or required life safety devices, smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, fire sprinkler systems, natural gas leak detectors, propane gas detectors and cook stove suppression systems in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations and/or Provincial or Municipal regulations. ## 21.4 Premises under Construction or Demolition - 21.4.1 Every owner of premises under construction or demolition shall have in place, prior to construction or demolition, a fire safety plan in accordance with the Fire Code. - 21.4.2 The owner of premises under construction or demolition must ensure that every required emergency access route to a construction or demolition site: - (a) is finished to a minimum of good, compacted gravel or other surface materials acceptable to the Fire Chief; - (b) provides adequate access for Fire Department apparatus; - (C) is clearly designated as an emergency access route; - (d) is maintained free of obstructions at all times; and - (e) is secured with a gate, bollard, chain or other structure or assembly approved by the Fire Chief prior to installation. - 21.4.3 Every owner of premises under construction must ensure that a water supply, with sufficient volume and pressure as approved by the Village Engineer and the Fire Chief, is installed and operational prior to construction and maintained throughout construction for fire protection. - 21.4.4 During construction, the owner of the premises must report all fire hydrant conditions affecting fire safety, such as fire hydrants temporarily out of service, or having low water volumes and low water pressures, so that such conditions are immediately made known to the Fire Department. - 21.4.5 Every owner of premises under construction must ensure the premise is made and kept secure against unauthorized entry during non-construction times. ## 22. OPEN AIR BURNING - 22.1 Except as specifically permitted in section 22.5 or permitted by the Fire Chief, a person must not light, ignite, or start, a fire of any kind whatsoever in the open air, including airborne fire holding devices not under the control of the user such as wish lanterns. - 22.2 Burning for land clearing and/or construction purposes is prohibited. - 22.3 All exterior solid fuel-fired applications or devices are prohibited, including incinerators, pizza ovens, outdoor fireplaces or other portable outdoor burners that were built without a municipal building permit. - 22.4 Existing wood-fire pizza ovens and outdoor fireplaces that were constructed and inspected through a municipal building permit may be permitted to operate but must be in compliance with the Metro Vancouver Air Quality Bylaw. - 22.5 Sections 22.1 to 22.4 shall not apply to: - (a) burning for fire training or demonstration purposes when considered appropriate by the Fire Chief; - (b) natural gas or propane fires contained within barbecues, grills or other outdoor appliances for the sole purpose of cooking food; - (c) natural gas or propane fueled outdoor heating appliances used such as umbrella style heaters, fire pits and fireplaces provided that: - (i) any such appliance is Canadian Standards Association (CSA) or Underwriters Laboratory of Canada (UCL) approved and is, at all times, used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions; - (ii) a minimum of 1-metre clearance from the nearest structure, property line, overhead tree or other combustible material is maintained; - (iii) the appliance is kept under constant supervision when in use; and - (iv) an adequate extinguishing agent, such as a fire extinguisher or garden hose is provided - 22.6 The Fire Chief may issue a permit for open burning after considering all circumstances. Any person to whom such a permit has been issued must comply with the Metro Vancouver Air Quality Bylaw, as amended or replaced - 22.7 Smokers that are UCL rated and fueled by electricity, propane, or natural gas where wood/mesquite is supplemental, and the appliance is used in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications, including clearance to combustibles, are permitted. Smoke generated from such devices must be in compliance with the Metro Vancouver Air Quality Bylaw. - 22.8 No person to whom a permit has been issued under section 22.6 shall burn any construction or demolition refuse or materials or any rubber tires, oil, tar, asphalt, shingles, battery boxes, plastic materials or any other materials that would produce heavy smoke. - 22.9 Without limiting the discretion of the Fire Chief under this section, the Fire Chief may issue a special burning permit for burning involved in theatrical, religious or ceremonial events. - 22.10 Permits shall not be transferable and must be readily available upon request. - 22.11 Every person to whom a permit has been issued under this section shall retain a competent adult to be in charge of the fire while it is burning or smoldering and until it is completely extinguished and shall provide that competent person with efficient appliances, communications and equipment, in order to prevent the fire from getting out of control, causing damage or becoming dangerous to life and property. - 22.12 The Fire Chief may refuse to issue, or withdraw, a fire permit at any time when, in the Fire Chief's opinion, burning would likely be hazardous or create a nuisance. - 22.13 No permit shall be required by the Department for the purpose of training members in structural firefighting methods, fire investigation procedures, or for the purpose of the elimination of fire hazards - 22.14 Open Air Fire Permits shall be classified as follows: - 22.15 Fees for Open Air Fire Permits are set in the Village of Belcarra Fees and Charges Bylaw. - 22.16 The Village is exempt from having to obtain a permit for open air fires related to community events. - 22.17 The Fire Chief may designate authority to an Officer, Member or Village employee to issue a permit, issue a permit with terms and conditions, or deny an open air fire permit application. - The Fire Chief may declare an open air fire ban, for one or more classifications of open air fires. Following declaration of an open air fire ban, all open air fire permits for the specified classification become immediately inactive and any fires burning must be promptly extinguished. Class B1 Light clean-up fires for properties with water access only (minor fires less than 1 metre in height and issued for no more than 3 consecutive days in any one week period, during the open burning season); Class B2 Class C - Note: started, restarted or relit before 7 am daily. Special effects or theatrical effects Campfires, religious or ceremonial fires Properties with water access only will be permitted Class B1 Open Air Fire Permits during the Spring open burning season dates of April 1st through April 15'h and the Fall open burning season dates of October 15" through October 31st and shall be extinguished before 9 pm daily and not ignited, - 22.19 Whenever, in the opinion of the Fire Chief or the Officer a condition of the Open Air Fire Permit is not being complied with the Fire Chief or Officer, may cancel or suspend any Open Air Fire Permit. All suspended or canceled fire burning permits must be extinguished immediately, and any person who fails to comply with an order to extinguish shall be liable for all expenses incurred by the SVFD in controlling and extinguishing such fire, and for any other damage originating from such fire; and shall also be liable for the remuneration or wages of all the persons employed in controlling and extinguishing such fire, including remuneration or wages for firefighters from other jurisdictions so employed. - 22.20 An occupant and owner of private property on which a fire is considered Out of Control, shall be liable for all expenses, remuneration or wages incurred by the SVFD in controlling and extinguishing a fire, and any other damage originating from such fire, and shall also be liable for the remuneration or wages of all the persons employed in controlling and extinguishing such fire, including remuneration or wages for firefighters from other jurisdictions so employed. - 22.21 Any person who sets out, starts, re-starts or kindles any Open Air Fire, or fails to extinguish any Open Air Fire set out, started, re-started or kindled at any time of the year, whether such fire was started under a permit or not, shall be responsible for such fire. If such fire gets Out of Control, the person responsible and the owner of private land where the fire was started, shall be liable for all expenses incurred by the SVFD in controlling and extinguishing such fire, and any other damage originating from such fire, and shall also be liable for the remuneration or wages of all the persons employed in controlling and extinguishing such fire, including remuneration or wages for firefighters from other jurisdictions so employed. - 22.22 For the purposes of this Bylaw, the amount of remuneration or wages paid shall be calculated at the rate set out in in Schedule 6 - Fire Prevention Fees in the Village of Belcarra Fees and Charges Bylaw. - 22.23 For the purposes of this Bylaw, the amount of the charges for apparatus, equipment and supplies shall be calculated at the rate set out in Schedule 6 - Fire Prevention Fees in the Village of Belcarra Fees and Charges Bylaw. - For the purposes of this Bylaw, anyone who burns an open air fire without a permit, or who does so at any time contrary to an order by the Fire Chief, shall be liable to pay a-fine as set out in the Village of Belcarra Municipal Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw. ## 23. PROHIBITED MATERIALS A person will not receive a permit and must not, at any time, burn in the open air any of the following: - (a) garden refuse, in the nature of grass and other clippings, leaves, tree and shrub prunings, cuttings and light material; - (b) any waste material from construction sites; - (c) any land clearing materials or debris; or - (d) any materials originating from outside the Village of Belcarra ## 24. FEES AND COST RECOVERY ## 24.1 Fees - Permits or Services The fees shall be as set out in the Village of Belcarra Fees and Charges Bylaw, under Schedule 6 - Fire Prevention Fees and fees shall be paid to the Village by all applicants for any permit required by this Bylaw, or by the regulations passed pursuant to the provisions of the Fire Services Act, RSBC 1996 and for the inspection of any work or thing for which the said permit is required. - 24.1.1 The fees shall be as set out in the Village of Belcarra Fees and Charges Bylaw, under Schedule 6 - Fire Prevention Fees, and fees shall be paid to the Village for any standby or fire watch services required by this Bylaw or deemed necessary by the Fire Chief, Officer or Officer in Charge, to prevent the spread of fire or safeguarding a property. - 24.1.2 The fees shall be as set out in Schedule 6 - Fire Prevention Fees of the Village of Belcarra Fees and Charges Bylaw, and fees shall be paid to the Village for any standby or fire watch services required by outside agencies or industries. ## 24.2 Fees - General - 24.2.1 Where a person to whom an order or direction is given fails to take the required action or complete the required work, and the Fire Department, other Village personnel, or a service provider for the Village takes the action or carries out the work, the Village may recover all of the costs it has incurred and any related expenses from the owner, occupant or person responsible, jointly or severally, as a debt to the Village. - 24.2.2 Money owed to the Village under this Bylaw is payable upon delivery of an invoice from the Fire Department or the Village's financial department. Any disputes over the amount owing must be brought to the attention of the Fire Chief or Chief Administrative Officer within thirty (30) days of the date of the invoice and may be heard and resolved by the Fire Chief or Chief Administrative Officer or both of them. - 24.2.3 If an amount owing under this Bylaw for works or services provided to land or improvements remains unpaid on December 31st of the year in which the debt was incurred, the amount is deemed to be taxes in arrear and may be treated in the same manner as for property taxes under the Community Charter. - 24.2.4 Payment of any fees or costs under this Bylaw does not relieve a person from liability to pay a penalty upon conviction of an offence of from a requirement to pay any other fees or costs under another bylaw, the BC Fire Code, the BC Building Code, the BC Fire Services Act or other applicable enactment. ## 25. OFFENCE AND PENALTY ## 25.1 A person who: - (a) contravenes, violates or fails to comply with this Bylaw; - (b) causes or allows any act or thing to be done in contravention of this Bylaw; or - (c) fails or neglects to do anything required under this Bylaw, commits an offence, and where the offence is a continuing one, each day that the offence continues amounts to a separate offence. - 25.2 A person found guilty of committing an offense under this Bylaw is liable: - (a) if proceedings are brought under the Offense Act, to pay a minimum fine of $2,000 and a maximum fine of $50,000, and such other amounts as may be ordered by the court for the costs of investigation and prosecution, and to compensate the Village or another person for damages or loss sustained resulting from the commission of the offense; or - (b) if a bylaw notice is issued under the Village of Belcarra Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 520, 2018 to pay a penalty in an amount established in the Local Government Bylaw Notice Enforcement Act. ## 26. SEVERABILITY If any section, subsection or clause of this Bylaw is declared or held to be invalid by a Court of competent jurisdiction, then that invalid portion shall be severed and the remainder of this Bylaw shall be deemed to have been enacted and adopted without the invalid and severed section, subsection or clause. ## 27. REPEAL - 27.1 Village of Belcarra Fire Prevention Bylaw No. 310, 2000 is hereby repealed. READ A FIRST TIME on July 22, 2024 READ A SECOND TIME on July 22, 2024 READ A THIRD TIME on July 22, 2024 ADOPTED by the Council on September 9, 2024 <!-- image --> Name Ross Jamie Ross Mayor This is a certified a true copy of Village of Belcarra Fire Prevention Bylaw No. 627, 2024 Plitert Amanda Seibert Corporate Officer Chief Administrative Officer <!-- image -->