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5642165
CITY OF RICHMOND
FIRE PROTECTION and LIFE SAFETY
BYLAW NO. 8306
EFFECTIVE DATE - JULY 14, 2008
CONSOLIDATED FOR CONVENIENCE ONLY
This is a consolidation of the bylaws below. The amendment bylaws have been combined with
the original bylaw for convenience only. This consolidation is not a legal document. Certified
copies of the original bylaws should be consulted for all interpretations and applications of the
bylaws on this subject.
AMENDMENT BYLAW
DATE OF ADOPTION
EFFECTIVE DATE
(If different from Date of Adoption)
Bylaw 8637
January 10, 2011
February 9, 2011
Bylaw 9151
September 8, 2014
Bylaw 9221
April 13, 2015
Bylaw 9718
October 23, 2017
5642165
FIRE BYLAW
BYLAW NO. 8306
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART ONE: ADOPTION AND APPLICATION OF THE FIRE CODE ............................ 1
PART TWO: INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL PROVISIONS
2.1
Words and Phrases ................................................................................... 1
2.2
References ................................................................................................ 1
2.3
Definitions .................................................................................................. 1
2.4
Severability ................................................................................................ 1
2.5
Conflict ....................................................................................................... 2
2.6
Application ................................................................................................. 2
2.7
Gender and Number .................................................................................. 2
PART THREE: RICHMOND FIRE-RESCUE
3.1
Continuation .............................................................................................. 2
3.2
Fire Chief ................................................................................................. 2
3.3
Right to Enter ............................................................................................. 4
3.4
Prevention, Control and Enforcement ....................................................... 4
3.5
No Interference .......................................................................................... 4
3.6
Prohibition Against Entry ........................................................................... 4
3.7
False Representation ................................................................................ 5
3.8
No Obstruction at Assistance Response ................................................... 5
PART FOUR: PERMITS
4.1
Permit Required ......................................................................................... 5
4.2
Permit Application ...................................................................................... 6
4.3
Permit Issuance ......................................................................................... 6
4.4
Permit Conditions ...................................................................................... 6
4.5
Open Air Burning ....................................................................................... 7
PART FIVE: FIRE PROTECTION EQUIPMENT
5.1
Buildings and Occupancies ....................................................................... 8
5.2
Connections for Building Sprinkler and Standpipe Systems ..................... 8
5.3
Sprinkler Systems ...................................................................................... 9
5.4
Sprinkler System or Standpipe Operations - Building Demolition ........... 10
5.5
Smoke Alarm Maintenance ..................................................................... 10
5.6
Fire Hydrants ........................................................................................... 10
5.7
Fire Hydrants on Private Property ........................................................... 10
5.8
Premises Under Construction .................................................................. 11
5.9
Emergency Access Routes ..................................................................... 12
5.10
Fire Protection Equipment Orders ........................................................... 12
PART SIX: FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS
6.1
Contact Persons ...................................................................................... 13
6.2
Activation ................................................................................................. 13
6.3
Fire Watch ............................................................................................... 14
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PART SEVEN: EMERGENCY ACCESS AND EVACUATION
7.1
Fire Safety Plan ....................................................................................... 14
7.2
Pre-incident Plans ................................................................................... 15
7.3
Access and Keys ..................................................................................... 15
7.4
Fire Plan Storage Box ............................................................................. 15
7.5
Richmond Fire-Rescue Access ............................................................... 16
7.6
Obstructions ............................................................................................ 16
7.7
Storage on Roofs ..................................................................................... 16
7.8
Passageways on Roofs ........................................................................... 16
7.9
Evacuation of Buildings ........................................................................... 16
7.10
Street Addresses ..................................................................................... 17
PART EIGHT: INSPECTIONS OF PREMISES
8.1
Authority for Inspection ............................................................................ 18
8.2
Entry for Inspection .................................................................................. 18
PART NINE: REGULATION OF FIRE HAZARDS
9.1
Removal of Fire Hazards ......................................................................... 18
9.2
Refuse and Recycling Containers ........................................................... 19
9.3
Flammable or Combustible Liquids ......................................................... 19
9.4
Order to Remove Flammable or Combustible Material ........................... 19
9.5
Vehicle Fuel Tank .................................................................................... 20
9.6
Explosion or Potential Explosion,
Emission or Spill of Dangerous Goods .................................................... 20
9.7
Vacant Premises ..................................................................................... 20
9.8
Damaged Buildings ................................................................................. 21
9.9
Exhibits, Fairs, Trade Shows or Vehicle Displays ................................... 21
9.10
Commercial Cooking Equipment ............................................................. 22
9.11
Dangerous Goods ................................................................................... 22
9.12
Combustible Dust and Removal .............................................................. 22
9.13
Electrical Extension Cords ....................................................................... 23
9.14
Fireworks Regulation ............................................................................... 23
PART TEN: SAFETY TO LIFE
10.1
Exits and Means of Egress ...................................................................... 25
10.2
Storage in Buildings, Service Rooms or Areas ........................................ 26
10.3
Tampering with Fire Protection Equipment ............................................. 26
PART ELEVEN: INSPECTION OF BUILDINGS
11.1
Frequency of Inspections ........................................................................ 27
PART TWELVE: INSPECTION AND TESTING OF
FIRE PROTECTION EQUIPMENT
12.1
Maintenance and Testing of Emergency Equipment ............................... 27
PART THIRTEEN: CONTROL OF FIRE ACCESS
13.1
Fire Roads, Fire Trails & Firebreaks ........................................................ 28
PART FOURTEEN: ENFORCEMENT
14.1
Fire Orders .............................................................................................. 28
14.2
Penalties .................................................................................................. 29
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14.3
Enforcement by Municipal Ticket ............................................................. 30
14.4
Notice of Bylaw Violation ......................................................................... 30
PART FIFTEEN: FEES AND COST RECOVERY
15.1
Permit and Service Fees ......................................................................... 30
15.2
Inspection Fees ....................................................................................... 31
15.3
No Relief from Other Fees ....................................................................... 31
15.4
Nuisance and Dangerous Goods Incidents ............................................. 31
15.5
False Alarm Incident Fees ....................................................................... 32
15.6
Security Alarm Incident Fees ................................................................... 33
15.7
Fire Alarm Testing Fee ............................................................................ 33
15.8
General Fee Regulations ......................................................................... 33
PART SIXTEEN: REPEAL
16.1
Repeal of Previous Bylaw ........................................................................ 34
PART SEVENTEEN: FEES BYLAW .............................................................................. 34
SCHEDULE "A": INTERPRETATION ............................................................ ..35
5642165
CITY OF RICHMOND
FIRE BYLAW NO. 8306
The Council of the City of Richmond enacts as follows:
PART ONE: ADOPTION AND APPLICATION OF THE FIRE CODE
1.1
The Fire Code, as amended or replaced from time to time, is adopted and made part
of this Bylaw as a regulation of the City.
1.2
Any person who contravenes, violates or fails to comply with a provision of the Fire
Code commits an offence under this Bylaw.
PART TWO: INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL PROVISIONS
2.1
Words and Phrases
2.1.1 Unless specifically defined herein, words and phrases used in this Bylaw
shall be construed in accordance with the meanings assigned to them by the
Fire Services Act, the Building Code, the Fire Code or the Community
Charter S.B.C. 2003, c. 26, as the context and circumstances require.
2.2
References
2.2.1 Any reference to the Fire Chief shall include a reference to any person duly
authorized by the Fire Chief to exercise any of the Fire Chief's powers or to
carry out any of the Fire Chief's duties under this Bylaw.
2.3
Definitions
2.3.1 Schedule "A" of this Bylaw contains definitions of words and phrases used in
this Bylaw.
2.4
Severability
2.4.1 If any part, section, subsection or phrase of this Bylaw is held to be invalid by
a court of competent jurisdiction, the invalid portion shall be severed and the
remainder of the Bylaw will be deemed to have been enacted without the
invalid portion.
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2.5
Conflict
2.5.1 In the event of a conflict, discrepancy, variation or inconsistency between this
Bylaw and the Fire Services Act, the Fire Code or the Building Code, the
provisions of the Fire Services Act, the Fire Code or the Building Code, as
the case may be, shall prevail over the provisions of this Bylaw to the extent
of any conflict, discrepancy, variation or inconsistency.
2.6
Application
2.6.1 The provisions of this bylaw apply to all buildings, structures, premises
and conditions within the City and, for certainty, apply to both existing
buildings and buildings under construction.
2.7
Gender and Number
2.7.1 Wherever the singular or masculine is used in this Bylaw, the same shall be
construed as meaning the plural, feminine or the body corporate or politic
where the context so requires.
PART THREE: RICHMOND FIRE-RESCUE
3.1
Continuation
3.1.1 Richmond Fire-Rescue is hereby continued for the purposes of providing the
fire suppression, fire prevention and rescue services contemplated under this
Bylaw.
3.2
Fire Chief
3.2.1 The Fire Chief shall report to the City's General Manager for Law and
Community Safety, and shall be responsible for administering this Bylaw, for
the management, control and supervision of Richmond Fire-Rescue and its
members and for the care, custody and control of all buildings, apparatus
and equipment of Richmond Fire-Rescue.
3.2.2 The Fire Chief and any officer, member or other person authorized by the
Fire Chief to act on behalf of the Fire Chief, may exercise one or more of the
following powers:
(a)
make and enforce rules for the proper and efficient administration and
operation of Richmond Fire-Rescue and change, replace or withdraw
the rules;
(b)
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 fire;
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(c)
take measures considered necessary to prevent and suppress fires,
including the demolition of buildings and other structures to prevent
the spreading of fires;
(d)
require an owner or occupier to undertake any actions the Fire Chief
considers necessary for the purpose of removing or reducing any
thing or condition the Fire Chief considers is a fire hazard or
increases the danger of fire;
(e)
exercise the following powers under Section 25 of the Fire Services
Act:
(i)
if an emergency arising from a fire hazard or from a risk of
explosion causes the Fire Chief to apprehend imminent and
serious danger to life or property, or of a panic, the Fire Chief
may immediately take steps to remove the hazard or risk,
(ii)
if the Fire Chief believes that conditions exist in or near a
hotel or public building, that, in the event of a fire, might
seriously endanger life or property, the Fire Chief may
immediately take action to remedy the conditions to eliminate
the danger and may evacuate and close the hotel or public
building; and
without limiting the foregoing, for these purposes may evacuate a
building or area, and may call on police and other fire prevention
authorities who have jurisdiction to provide assistance;
(f)
provide for assistance response;
(g)
request that any person at or near an incident render reasonable aid
to mitigate the incident;
(h)
enforce this Bylaw and any other City bylaws, rules, orders and
regulations for the prevention and suppression of fire and the
protection of life and property;
(i)
inquire into, investigate and record the causes of fires in the City;
(j)
collect and disseminate information in regard to fires in the City;
(k)
investigate and make inquiries into fires;
(l)
research best practices in methods of fire prevention;
(m)
provide, advise and make recommendations to other officers and
employees of the City, to Council, and to the public, in accordance
with any applicable City policies and procedures, in relation to:
(i)
the provision of adequate water supply and pressure;
(ii)
the
installation
and
maintenance
of
fire
protection
equipment;
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(iii)
the enforcement of measures for the prevention or
suppression of fire and the protection of life and property;
(iv)
life safety or rescue equipment; and
(v)
fire prevention generally.
3.3
Right to Enter
3.3.1 The Fire Chief and any other officer or member in charge at an incident is
authorized to enter premises where an incident has occurred and to cause
any member, apparatus or equipment to enter the premises, as deemed
necessary, in relation to an incident.
3.4
Prevention, Control and Enforcement
3.4.1 Richmond Fire-Rescue may take all necessary measures for the prevention,
suppression, control and extinguishment of fires, for mitigating the effects of
incidents involving dangerous goods, and for the protection of life and
property, including conducting assistance response and administering
emergency medical services.
3.5
No Interference
3.5.1
A person must not interfere with or refuse to permit any member to enter into
or upon premises in relation to which an alarm or other request for
assistance has been received or in or upon which a member has reasonable
grounds to believe that an incident has occurred or may occur.
3.5.2
A person must not interfere with any member or refuse to permit any
member to enter into or upon premises or a fire scene to determine
(a)
the cause and origin of a fire;
(b)
the activation of a fire alarm system, or
(c)
the presence and functioning of a sprinkler system or other fire or
life safety protection system.
3.6
Prohibition Against Entry
3.6.1 A person must not, except as authorized by the Fire Chief, an officer or a
member in charge at an incident:
(a)
enter any building or premises threatened by an incident;
(b)
enter within an area designated by ropes, guards or tape erected by
or under the direction of a peace officer or a member across or
around any street, lane, alley or building; or
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(c)
refuse to move from such designated area when directed to do so by
a peace officer or a member.
3.7
False Representation
3.7.1 A person must not make false representation as to being a member of
Richmond Fire-Rescue, or wear or display any Richmond Fire-Rescue
badge, cap, button, insignia or other paraphernalia for the purpose of such
false representation.
3.8
No Obstruction at Assistance Response
3.8.1 A person must not impede, hinder or obstruct any member at an assistance
response and every person must comply with orders or directions of a
member engaged in an assistance response.
3.8.2 Any person refusing to comply with an order of a member under Section
3.8.1 may be removed from the scene of such assistance response by a
peace officer or any member.
PART FOUR: PERMITS
4.1
Permit Required
4.1.1 Every person must obtain a permit issued by Richmond Fire-Rescue to do
any of the following:
(a)
store, handle, use or dispose of flammable or combustible liquids:
(i)
in excess of five (5) litres in any dwelling unit or other
premises used for human habitation,
(ii)
in excess of twenty-five (25) litres in any other building or
occupancy, or
(iii)
in excess of twenty-five (25) litres outside a building;
(b)
install gasoline, diesel or oil tanks or dispensing pumps;
(c)
process, blend or refine flammable or combustible liquids;
(d)
store flammable or combustible liquids in stationary or underground
tanks;
(e)
establish:
(i)
a refinery,
(ii)
a plant for storing or handling crude petroleum,
(iii)
premises handling or storing dangerous goods, or
(iv)
a distillery;
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(f)
light, ignite, start or burn, or cause, suffer or allow to be lighted,
ignited, started or burned, any fire in the open air or within any
portable incinerator, chiminea or other portable appliance or device for
any purpose, unless expressly exempted under Section 4.5.1 of this
Bylaw;
(g)
install a fuel oil or oil burning equipment or device, including controls,
piping, vents and storage containers required for or by the equipment
or device;
(h)
use open flames for display purposes; or
(i)
prescribe a building's occupancy load.
4.2
Permit Application
4.2.1 Every application for a permit shall be made in the form prescribed by the
Fire Chief from time to time.
4.3
Permit Issuance
4.3.1 Where an application for a permit is made to Richmond Fire-Rescue on the
prescribed form, Richmond Fire-Rescue may issue the permit if:
(a)
the receptacles, vehicles, buildings or other places to be used have
been inspected and approved by a Fire Inspector, where the Fire
Chief considers such inspection necessary;
(b)
the proposed activity, operation or occupancy complies with this
Bylaw and all other applicable Provincial and Federal enactments and
bylaws of the City; and
(c)
the applicant has paid the applicable fee in the amount set from time
to time in the Consolidated Fees Bylaw No. 8636.
4.4
Permit Conditions
4.4.1 Every permit required by Section 4.1 shall be subject to the following
conditions:
(a)
a permit may not be transferred to another person;
(b)
a change in use or occupancy of a building or premises requires a
new permit;
(c)
the Fire Chief may suspend or revoke a permit if there is a violation
of:
(i) any condition under which the permit was issued, or
(ii) any requirement of this Bylaw or other applicable legislation; and
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(d)
the permit must be posted in a conspicuous place in or on the
premises which are subject to the permit, or carried at all times
during the permitted use or activity and produced on request by a
member.
4.5
Open Air Burning
4.5.1 No permit is required for open air burning:
(a)
within a natural gas, charcoal, or propane fuelled outdoor heater,
outdoor fireplace, barbeque or other appliance designed and used for
the cooking of food; or
(b)
by Richmond Fire-Rescue for the purpose of training members in
structural fire fighting methods, fire investigation procedures or for the
purpose of elimination of fire hazards.
4.5.2 In addition to the conditions established in Section 4.4.1, every permit issued
for open air burning shall be subject to the following requirements and
conditions:
(a)
a minimum of one (1) adult must be in attendance at all times during
burning;
(b)
only one burning site pile, no larger than five cubic metres, is
permitted;
(c)
a burning site pile shall be not less than 30.5 metres (100 feet) from
(i)
any combustible structure or combustible material;
(ii)
any standing timber and surrounding brush; or
(iii)
any watercourse.
(d)
a burning site pile shall be not less than 30.5 metres (100 feet) from
the property lines of all adjacent improved lots in developed areas,
except that this distance may be reduced if considered safe by the
Fire Chief, and written consent is obtained from the occupiers of all
adjacent improved lots;
(e)
burning must not commence prior to 7:00 a.m. and no stumps, trees
or other fuel may be added to the fire after sunset;
(f)
when added to a fire, logs, stumps or other fuel shall be placed on the
pile and not dropped or pushed on by use of a bulldozer or similar
equipment;
(g)
where required by the Fire Chief, an adequate fire fighting water
supply, fire fighting equipment and staff capable of deploying the
water supply and fire fighting equipment shall be readily available;
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5642165
(h)
in all cases:
(i)
rubber tires, roofing materials and petroleum products shall not
be used to start or feed a fire; and
(ii)
standing crops shall not be burned.
(k)
where required by the Fire Chief, the burning site must be inspected
and approved by the Fire Chief prior to the commencement of
operations and is subject to future inspections at any time;
(l)
if, at anytime a permit is suspended or cancelled, the fire must be
extinguished, a new permit applied for in writing, and the site and
operation re-inspected before recommencing burning; and
(m)
the permit holder shall comply with all other conditions, restrictions
and requirements imposed by the Fire Chief.
4.5.3 The Fire Chief may refuse to issue and may revoke or suspend a permit for
open air burning if, in the opinion of the Fire Chief, burning under the
prevailing weather conditions or other circumstances could reasonably be
expected to be hazardous to public safety or health or to create a nuisance.
PART FIVE: FIRE PROTECTION EQUIPMENT
5.1
Buildings and Occupancies
5.1.1 Every owner of premises must ensure that all fire protection equipment
required under the Building Code or Fire Code shall be inspected, tested
and maintained in accordance with good engineering practices and the
applicable standards, requirements and guidelines of the Building Code, the
City's Building Regulation Bylaw No. 7230, the Fire Code, this Bylaw and all
other applicable enactments, all as amended or replaced from time to time,
and any equivalents or alternative solutions required or accepted under those
enactments.
5.2
Connections for Building Sprinkler and Standpipe Systems
5.2.1 Richmond Fire-Rescue pumper connections shall be located and positioned
in accordance with the Building Code or as approved by the Fire Chief.
5.2.2 All Richmond Fire-Rescue pumper connections and protective caps shall be
kept in place at all times and, where such connections or protective caps are
missing, the building owner or occupier shall promptly cause the
connections to be examined for accumulated material, back-flushed if such
material is present or suspected, or upon the direction of a Fire Inspector,
and shall ensure the connections and caps are replaced.
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5642165
5.2.3 Every owner or occupier of a building must ensure that accesses to
Richmond Fire-Rescue connections for sprinklers or standpipe systems are
clearly identified, functional, kept in good repair and maintained free of
obstructions at all times.
5.2.4 Every owner or occupier of a building shall ensure that signs are displayed
identifying:
(a)
which Richmond Fire-Rescue connection serves a particular
sprinkler or standpipe system; and
(b)
the maximum pumping inlet pressure at a Richmond Fire-Rescue
connection.
5.3
Sprinkler Systems
5.3.1 Every owner of premises for which a sprinkler system is required under the
Building Code must, in accordance with the requirements of the Fire Code,
maintain, repair and 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.
5.3.2 Where a Fire Inspector considers that a change in the use or occupancy of
a building equipped with a sprinkler system may create an increased fire
hazard, such that the use or occupancy exceeds the criteria for which the
sprinkler system was designed, the Fire Inspector may require the owner
or occupier to provide confirmation to the Fire Inspector by a professional
engineer that the design limitations of the original sprinkler system
installation standard have not been exceeded.
5.3.3 The confirmation referred to in Section 5.3.2 shall be in a form acceptable to
the Fire Inspector and shall identify, without limitation:
(a)
the sprinkler design standard used for comparative analysis;
(b)
the available water supply for sprinkler and hose allowances;
(c)
the current:
(i)
occupancy hazard or commodity classification,
(ii)
method of packaging and encapsulation,
(iii)
method of storage of commodities (e.g. by rack, palletized,
solid pile, solid shelving),
(iv)
height of storage, and
(v)
clearance between racks, piles or stacks;
(d)
the required level of manual fire fighting equipment (e.g. fire hose and
portable fire extinguishers);
(e)
the required and available density of water application;
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5642165
(f)
the required design area of water application;
(g)
the fire alarm system and central station connection; and
(h)
a statement of the current status and level of performance of the
sprinkler system, including whether the sprinkler system conforms
or does not conform to the identified design standard, and if non-
conforming, provide specific instructions for the improvement of the
sprinkler system, reduction of the fuel load or other alternative
solutions acceptable to the Fire Inspector.
5.4
Sprinkler System or Standpipe Operations - Building Demolition
5.4.1 When a building equipped with a sprinkler system or a standpipe is being
demolished, the system or standpipe shall be maintained in operation,
subject to sequential deactivation, until the demolition work is completed.
5.5
Smoke Alarm Maintenance
5.5.1 The owner and occupier of every premises with residential occupancy
must ensure that smoke alarms are maintained, tested, repaired and
replaced in accordance with the requirements of the manufacturer.
5.6
Fire Hydrants
5.6.1 The fire hose connection type, hydrant colour coding and location of all fire
hydrants and other Richmond Fire-Rescue connections shall be subject to
the approval of the Fire Chief and the City Engineer.
5.6.2 No person except a member shall use or take water from any fire hydrant or
standpipe, nor make any attachment thereto, without first obtaining written
permission from the City Engineer to do so.
5.6.3 A person must not tamper with the mechanical operation of a fire hydrant.
5.6.4 A person must not remove a fire hydrant from its authorized or required
location unless authorized to do so by the Fire Chief and in accordance with
any direction, conditions, measures or requirements of the Fire Chief.
5.7
Fire Hydrants on Private Property
5.7.1 Where a fire hydrant is located on private property, the owner or occupier of
the premises must
(a) maintain the space around the fire hydrant with stable ground cover and
a clear and unobstructed area for a radius of at least one (1) metre; and
(b) maintain ground cover and clearance around the hydrant so as to
provide a clear view of the fire hydrant from the street when being
approached from either direction.
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5642165
5.7.2 If an owner or occupier fails to properly maintain the ground cover and
clearance around a fire hydrant as required by Section 5.7.1, the Fire Chief
may issue an order to the owner or occupier to provide stable ground cover
and clearance around the hydrant within a time period specified in the order.
5.7.3 If an owner or occupier fails to comply with an order issued under Section
5.7.2 within the time specified in the order, the City may enter onto the
property and carry out such work at the cost of the owner.
5.7.4 The owner or occupier of premises on which a private fire hydrant is
installed, must ensure that the hydrant is maintained in good working
condition at all times and that the hydrant is inspected, serviced and tested at
least yearly by a Fire Protection Technician in accordance with the
requirements of the Fire Code.
5.7.5 Without limiting Section 5.7.4, the owner of property on which a private fire
hydrant is installed must:
(a)
once a year, have the private hydrant flushed and drained and have
all the threads of outlets and caps greased with waterproof grease;
and
(b)
provide the Fire Chief with a written report of the inspection, servicing
and testing performed on the private fire hydrant during the previous
twelve months.
5.8
Premises under Construction
5.8.1 The owner of premises under construction must ensure that every required
emergency access route:
(a)
is finished to a minimum of good compacted gravel or other surface
materials acceptable to the Fire Chief;
(b)
provides adequate access for Richmond Fire-Rescue apparatus;
(c)
is clearly designated as an emergency access route;
(d)
is maintained at all times free of obstruction; and
(e)
is secured with a gate, bollard, chain or other structure or assembly
approved by the Fire Chief prior to installation.
5.8.2. Every owner of premises under construction must ensure that water
supplies for fire protection are installed when construction commences or as
determined by the Fire Chief or City Engineer.
5.8.3 Every owner of premises under construction must ensure that Richmond
Fire-Rescue is notified of all newly installed fire hydrants prior to their
installation so as to permit testing and approval of all such hydrants.
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5.8.4 During construction, servicing or repairs of private fire hydrants and water
supply systems, the owner of the premises must ensure that all fire hydrant
conditions affecting fire safety, such as fire hydrants temporarily out of
service, low water volumes and low water pressures, are immediately made
known to Richmond Fire-Rescue.
5.9
Emergency Access Routes
5.9.1 Every gate, bollard, chain or other structure used to secure a required
primary or secondary emergency access route must be approved by the
Fire Chief prior to installation.
5.9.2 Every emergency access route must be clearly marked with permanent
signage, in accordance with the 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
5.9.3 Every owner of premises shall 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 obstruction, of a size no less than sixty (60)
cm by seventy-five (75) cm, which must read:
EMERGENCY ACCESS ONLY -
NO PARKING OR OTHER OBSTRUCTIONS
Fire Protection and Life Safety Bylaw No. 8306
5.9.4 A person must not:
(a)
park a vehicle in an emergency access route; or
(b)
interfere with, hinder or obstruct access to an emergency access
route by Richmond Fire-Rescue apparatus
unless authorized to do so by the Fire Chief and in accordance with any
direction, conditions, measures or requirements of the Fire Chief.
5.10 Fire Protection Equipment Orders
5.10.1
The Fire Chief may order the owner of an existing multiple-family
residential, assembly, mercantile, business and personal services,
industrial, care or detention occupancy to provide or make alterations to
fire protection equipment and systems including heat and smoke
detection, fire alarms, fire extinguishers, exit signs, emergency lighting, fire
separations and means of egress in order to provide adequate life safety to
its occupants. These requirements will not exceed those established by the
Building Code or Fire Code or building regulations established in
accordance with the Building Code or Fire Code and may include
equivalents or alternative solutions as accepted by the Fire Chief.
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PART 6:
FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS
6.1
Contact Persons
6.1.1 The owner or occupier of any premises with a fire alarm system monitored
by an outside monitoring agency must ensure that at least one contact
person is available 24 hours a day to attend, when notified by the monitoring
agency, to enter and secure the premises at an incident.
6.1.2 The owner or occupier of any premises with a fire alarm system not
monitored by an outside monitoring agency must maintain and provide to
Richmond Fire-Rescue a current list containing the names and telephone
numbers of three (3) contact persons, at least one of whom is available 24
hours a day to attend, enter and secure the premises at an incident, and
must notify Richmond Fire-Rescue promptly of any changes in the names or
addresses of contact persons.
6.1.3 Every contact person designated under Section 6.1.1 or 6.1.2 must have full
access to the premises for which they have responsibility and must be able
to take control of and secure the premises from Richmond Fire-Rescue on
completion of assistance response or other incident.
6.1.4 Where a contact person fails to respond to a fire alarm and attend the
premises within 30 minutes:
(a)
Richmond Fire-Rescue may use whatever means are necessary to
gain entry to the premises to investigate the fire alarm without
payment to the owner or occupier of any compensation whatsoever
for damage caused to the premises by such forced entry; and
(b)
the owner or occupier of the premises shall be liable to reimburse
the City, at the rates in the amount set from time to time in the
Consolidated Fees Bylaw No. 8636 for the cost to the City of all time
during which Richmond Fire-Rescue apparatus and members
were required to remain on standby at the premises, commencing
after the 30 minute time period specified in this Section, until such
time as a contact person, owner or occupier arrives to attend at,
provide access to, or secure the premises.
6.2
Activation
6.2 .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
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(c)
the activation is carried out for testing purposes by persons authorized
by the Fire Chief.
6.3
Fire Watch
6.3 .1 The owner or occupier of any building in which any of the fire alarm system,
automatic sprinkler system, or emergency power system, or any portion
thereof, if not operating, shall institute and maintain a fire watch in that
building until all required systems are in operation.
PART SEVEN: EMERGENCY ACCESS AND EVACUATION
7.1
Fire Safety Plan
7.1.1 The owner or occupier of any building required by the Fire Code to have a
fire safety plan prepared in cooperation with Richmond Fire-Rescue must:
(a)
prepare the fire safety plan in a form, format and diagram template
acceptable to the Fire Chief and submit the fire safety plan to the
Fire Chief for review;
(b)
pay the fee in the amount set from time to time in the Consolidated
Fees Bylaw No. 8636 for review of the fire safety plan;
(c)
review the fire safety plan at least annually in accordance with the
requirements of the Fire Code and if material changes have occurred
in relation to the building, use, or occupancy, submit an updated
plan to the Fire Chief for review; and
(d)
locate the fire safety plan on the premises in a location and manner
acceptable to the Fire Chief to allow for reference by Richmond Fire-
Rescue.
7.1.2 The owner or occupier of every occupancy of a building required by the
Fire Code to appoint supervisory staff, must designate trained supervisory
staff consisting of a Fire Safety Director and at least one Deputy Fire
Safety Director to act when the Fire Safety Director is absent.
7.1.3 Either the Fire Safety Director or the Deputy Fire Safety Director must be
present at the premises as required by the Fire Code.
7.1.4 The owner or occupier of every occupancy of a building required by the
Fire Code to appoint a Fire Safety Director must produce evidence, on
request by Richmond Fire-Rescue, that the Fire Safety Director and
alternate person or persons have been trained in a form and manner
acceptable to the Fire Chief.
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7.2
Pre-incident Plans
7.2.1 The Fire Chief may require, as part of a fire safety plan, a pre-incident
plan.
7.2.2 Where a fire pre-plan program is required, every owner or occupier of
premises must include as part of a required fire safety plan, a pre-incident
plan and a site plan diagram of the premises to be submitted, along with the
fire safety plan, to the Fire Chief in a format and form acceptable to the Fire
Chief.
7.3
Access and Keys
7.3.1 Every owner or occupier of
(a)
premises having a fire alarm system or an automatic fire sprinkler
system; and
(b)
all apartment buildings, whether rental or strata owned
must ensure that access and required keys to the following areas are readily
accessible to Richmond Fire-Rescue at all times:
(c)
all common floor areas, service rooms and roof areas;
(d)
all doors that are locked from the exit stairs to floor areas;
(e)
as required to recall elevators and to permit independent operation of
each elevator;
(f)
all fire alarm control and annunciator panels and fire fighter telephone
boxes; and
(g)
as may be required by the Fire Chief for the purpose of responding to
the fire alarm system or automatic fire sprinkler system.
7.4
Fire Safety Plan Storage Box
7.4.1 The Fire Chief may require an owner or occupier of:
(a)
a multi-family complex building;
(b)
a building over three (3) stories tall;
(c)
a building where dangerous goods are stored;
(d)
a building where hazardous operations or processes as described in
the Fire Code are conducted; or
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(e)
a building equipped with a fire alarm system or automatic sprinkler
system;
to install a weatherproof fire safety plan storage box, of a type and in a
location approved by the Fire Chief and accessible by any member using a
Richmond Fire-Rescue lock box key.
7.4.2 Fire safety plans must be kept in the storage box required in this Section for
reference by Richmond Fire-Rescue.
7.5
Richmond Fire-Rescue Access
7.5.1 Richmond Fire-Rescue shall at all times have the right to access a fire safety
plan storage box required under Section 7.5 and access keys required under
Section 7.4, and may use any means available to obtain such access.
7.6
Obstructions
7.6.1
A person must not install or maintain any wire, barbed wire, razor ribbon,
fence, cable, aerial, antenna or other obstruction on any building roof,
parapet wall or openings in an exterior wall required by the Building Code
or the Fire Code for Richmond Fire-Rescue access, so as to obstruct
access or egress, cause a hazardous condition, or interfere with Richmond
Fire-Rescue operations in the event of fire or other incident.
7.7
Storage on Roofs
7.7.1 A person must not cause to be placed, stored, or maintained upon any roof or
balcony any hazardous materials or any material or object which may
interfere with access or egress or Richmond Fire-Rescue operations in case
of fire or other emergency, and shall remove all such objects or materials
upon the order of a Fire Inspector.
7.8
Passageways on Roofs
7.8.1. A person must not obstruct access passageways on a roof surface required
by the Fire Code or Building Code.
7.9
Evacuation of Buildings
7.9.1 The Fire Chief or officer in charge at an incident may order the evacuation
of a building, structure or area which, in the opinion of the Fire Chief or
officer in charge, is endangered by fire or other risk to life, and no person
other than the Fire Chief, a member or other person authorized by the Fire
Chief or the officer in charge at an incident, shall remain in or enter that
building, structure or area after such an order is made.
7.9.2 The Fire Chief or officer in charge at an incident may post a notice on any
building or structure warning that occupancy of the building may be
hazardous or that no occupancy of the building is permitted.
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7.10 Street Addresses
7.10.1 An owner of real property in the City shall ensure that street addresses are
displayed in accordance with the following requirements:
(a)
the civic address that the City has assigned to that property must be
displayed and must be legible from a minimum distance of fifteen (15)
metres, with each address number assigned to each building being
not less than the minimum size specified in Table 7.10;
(b)
where a property includes multiple buildings with separate addresses
assigned to each of the buildings, the building address is to be
displayed on each building in accordance with paragraph (a);
(c)
where a building is set back from the street or roadway fronting the
property such that the assigned civic addresses are not clearly
identifiable due to the distance from the street or roadway, or where
landscaping or architectural appendages or other obstructions
obstruct the visibility, assigned civic addresses shall be displayed at
the driveway entrance from the street or road serving the building as
well as on the building itself;
(d)
assigned civic addresses must be displayed on a weather-resistant
sign permanently mounted on a post and must be highly visible from
all directions of traffic flow;
(e)
where unusual circumstances exist, the Fire Chief may require that a
direction indicator or other means of readily identifying and locating a
building be provided;
(f)
letters or numbers must be of a colour which contrasts with the
background colour of the building; and
(g)
if a required emergency access route is from a street or route other
than that to which the City has assigned a civic address, a sign must
be posted indicating the civic address in a location approved by the
Fire Chief.
Table 7.10
Distance measured from public street curb
to building
Size Height
(mm)
Stroke
Width
(mm)
Up to 15 m
>15 m to 20 m
> 20 m to 25 m
> 25 m to 35 m
> 35m to 40 m
> 40 m
75
100
150
200
250
300
18.0
25.0
32.0
38.0
42.0
50.0
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PART EIGHT: INSPECTION OF PREMISES
8.1
Authority for Inspection
8.1.1 The Fire Chief and any member designated by the Fire Chief, are hereby
authorized to enter at all reasonable times upon any premises to inspect and
determine whether or not:
(a)
the premises are in such a state of disrepair that a fire starting therein
might spread so rapidly as to endanger life or other premises or
property;
(b)
the premises are so used or occupied that fire would endanger life or
property;
(c)
combustible or explosive materials are being kept on the premises
or other flammable conditions exist in or about the premises so as to
endanger life or property;
(d)
in the opinion of the Fire Chief or a member, a fire hazard exists in
or about the premises; or
(e)
the requirements of this Bylaw and the Fire Code are being complied
with.
8.2
Entry for Inspection
8.2.1 A person must not obstruct, hinder or prevent the Fire Chief or any member
from entering into or upon any premises for the purpose of inspecting the
premises in the ordinary course of their duties.
PART NINE: REGULATION OF FIRE HAZARDS
9.1
Removal of Fire Hazards
9.1.1. A person must not cause or permit combustible materials, growth, waste or
rubbish of any kind to accumulate in or around premises in such a manner
as to endanger property or to constitute a fire hazard.
9.1.2 A Fire Inspector may issue an order to any person to remove or otherwise
deal with an accumulation of materials or growth referred to in Section 9.1.1,
and upon receipt of such order, that person shall take whatever action is
specified in the Fire Inspector's order within the time period specified
therein, failing which Richmond Fire-Rescue may take whatever action is
necessary to remove the fire hazard at the expense of the person to whom
the order is directed or the owner or occupier of the premises.
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9.1.3 Lids on all containers and doors to rooms or spaces provided for the storage
of combustible materials or flammable materials shall be kept closed at all
times except when such materials are being placed in the containers, rooms
or spaces.
9.2
Refuse and Recycling Containers
9.2.1 Subject to Subsection 9.3.2, an owner or occupier of premises with multi-
family residential, commercial, professional service, institutional, industrial or
assembly occupancies must ensure that all refuse and recycling containers
used be non-combustible and are stored not less than three (3) metres from
any:
(a)
combustible materials including, without limitation, construction
materials;
(b)
unprotected building openings or overhangs; or
(c)
in another location acceptable to the Fire Chief.
9.2.2 Where the clearances required by paragraph 9.2.1 are not feasible, a non-
combustible container with self-closing lids and no hold-open devices may be
stored in a location approved by the Fire Chief and not less than one (1)
metre from combustible materials, standing vegetation or unprotected
building openings.
9.3
Flammable or Combustible Liquids
9.3.1 A person must ensure that all flammable or combustible liquids are stored
in accordance with the Fire Code.
9.3.2 A person must not use any flammable or combustible liquid which
reasonably could be expected to endanger life or property for the purposes of
cleaning within any building.
9.4
Order to Remove Flammable or Combustible Material
9.4.1
Upon receiving an order of the Fire Chief, a person must remove, dispose of
or otherwise deal with flammable or combustible material, including but
not limited to combustible or flammable liquid, combustible metal, and
flammable fibre or gas, immediately or within a time period established in
the order, failing which Richmond Fire-Rescue may take whatever action is
necessary to remove the flammable or combustible material at the
expense of the person to whom the order is directed or the owner or
occupier of the premises.
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9.5
Vehicle Fuel Tank
9.5.1 Without limiting any other provision in this Section, an owner of a vehicle
must ensure that fuel within the vehicle's fuel tank is removed to a safe area
acceptable to the Fire Chief prior to any adjustment to, or relocation of, the
fuel tank from its original position on the vehicle.
9.6
Explosion or Potential Explosion, Emission or Spill of Dangerous Goods
9.6.1 Every owner or occupier of premises or a motor vehicle, vessel or railway
rolling stock, must report immediately to the Fire Chief when an explosion
or a discharge, emission, escape or spill of dangerous goods occurs or
where the potential exists for an explosion or a discharge, emission, escape
or spill of dangerous goods.
9.7
Vacant Premises
9.7.1 For the purposes of this Section, vacant premises means a lot, building or
other structure:
(a)
in respect of which a water or electricity service has been intentionally
discontinued, other than for temporary maintenance, repair or
upgrading; or
(b)
where the condition of the premises is not suitable for human
habitation or other occupancy due to non-compliance with the Fire
Code, Building Code or health or safety regulations.
9.7.2 The owner of 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 where storage of
combustible or flammable materials is in strict accordance with the
Fire Code and this Bylaw; and
(b)
all openings in the premises are securely closed and fastened in a
manner acceptable to the Fire Chief so as to prevent fires and the
entry of unauthorized persons.
9.7.3 Where an owner fails to securely close a vacant premises as required by
Subsection 9.7.2(b), a Fire Inspector may, by notice in writing, order the
owner to secure the building or other part of the vacant premises against
unauthorized entry in a manner set out in the notice.
9.7.4 If an owner of vacant premises fails to bring the premises into compliance
with this Bylaw within twenty-four (24) hours of receiving a notice under
Subsection 9.7.3, or if the Fire Inspector is unable to contact the owner
within twenty-four (24) hours of finding vacant premises in an unsecured
state, the Fire Inspector may cause the premises to be secured by City
employees or agents, who may board up or otherwise secure doors, windows
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and other points of entry into the premises in order to prevent fires and
unauthorized entry, at the cost and expense of the owner.
9.7.5 The owner of a vacant premises shall pay to the City, upon invoice by the
City, the costs and expenses incurred by the City or its contractors or agents
for:
(a) response to any fire, fire hazard, or other incident at the premises;
(b) additional City personnel, consumables and damage to City equipment
resulting from a response to any fire, fire hazard, or other incident at the
premises; and
(c) demolition, clean-up, abatement, removal, disposal, and safe transport
of a building or structure on the premises,
in accordance with the rates and amounts set-out from time to time in the
Consolidated Fees Bylaw No. 8636. Such rates and amounts are in addition
to any fines or penalties imposed under this Bylaw, any other City bylaw or
otherwise by law.
9.8
Damaged Buildings
9.8.1 The owner of a building or other structure that has been damaged due to
fire, explosion or similar 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 the necessary security to the damaged building within 2 hours of
being notified by the Fire Chief or following an incident, the Fire Chief may
cause the work to be carried out at the cost and expense of the owner.
9.9
Exhibits, Fairs, Trade Shows or Vehicle Displays
9.9.1 Every owner or occupier of premises containing or used for an exhibit, fair
display, trade show display or vehicle display must comply with all applicable
provisions of the Fire Code and, without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, must ensure that:
(a)
no exhibit or display is placed in a lobby or foyer or so as to obstruct
the required width of an exit way;
(b)
aisles of a minimum of three (3) metres (10 feet) are maintained at all
times between displays and the travelled distance to an exit door by
an aisle is not be more than forty five (45) metres (150 feet);
(c)
a display of automobiles, motorcycles, scooters, or other vehicles in a
public building, other than a building constructed and classified for
such purpose by the Building Code, meets the following
requirements:
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(i)
vehicle batteries must be disconnected and the battery cables
placed or tied in a position to prevent accidental battery
contact;
(ii)
fuel tanks must be equipped with a key-locking cap or other
similar device; and
(iii)
the quantity of fuel in the fuel tanks must not exceed the lesser
of one quarter (1/4) of the tank capacity or nineteen (19) litres
(5 gallons).
9.10 Commercial Cooking Equipment
9.10.1 Every owner or occupier of a commercial cooking facility must ensure that
the cooking equipment is inspected and maintained in accordance with the
requirements of the Fire Code and, without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, must ensure that:
(a)
all hoods, grease removal devices, fans, ducts and other
appurtenances of commercial cooking equipment are cleaned at least
monthly to prevent grease and other combustible residues;
(b)
all commercial cooking equipment exhaust systems are serviced and
cleaned at least every six months by a Fire Protection Technician;
and
(c)
the instructions for manually operating the fire protection systems are
posted conspicuously in the kitchen as part of a fire safety plan.
9.11 Dangerous Goods
9.11.1 If the Fire Chief is satisfied on reasonable and probable grounds that a
discharge, emission or escape of dangerous goods has occurred and that
immediate action is necessary in order to carry out any reasonable
emergency measures, he or she may take such action or cause such action
to be taken by any person the Fire Chief considers is qualified to do so.
9.12 Combustible Dust and Removal
9.12.1 A person must not cause, permit or allow the accumulation of any
combustible dust or particulate on floors, walls, ledges, or other exposed
building structural members, piping, conduit, electrical equipment, surface or
on the roof of any building on which dust may settle, where the accumulation
is sufficient to create a fire hazard or risk of explosion.
9.12.2 A person must not use compressed air or other means to blow combustible
dust from ledges, walls and other areas unless all machinery in the area has
been shut down and all sources of ignition removed.
9.12.3 The removal and collection of small quantities of loose combustible dust
may be accomplished with an approved industrial vacuum cleaning system.
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9.12.4 A person must ensure that metallic dust must be stored in tightly covered
metal containers in a cool, dry place.
9.12.5 An owner or occupier of premises must ensure that dust removal is carried
out in a form and manner acceptable to the Fire Chief and that the
acceptable form and manner is included in the building's fire safety plan.
9.13 Electrical Extension Cords
9.13.1 A person must not create a fire hazard by using an extension cord as a
substitute for permanent wiring.
9.14 Fireworks Regulation
9.14.1 A person must not purchase, sell, display for the purpose of sale, offer for
sale, give, dispose of or distribute fireworks to any person.
9.14.2 A person must not possess fireworks except as permitted under a display
permit.
9.14.3 Subject to subsection 9.14.4, a person must not ignite, explode, set off or
detonate fireworks:
(a)
except in accordance with the terms of a display permit;
(b)
in such a manner as may endanger or create a nuisance to any
person or property.
9.14.4 A person who is permitted by this bylaw to ignite, explode, set off or detonate
fireworks must only do so on property, whether privately or publicly held,
with the written consent of the owner or the agent for the owner of such
property.
9.14.5 A person may apply to the Fire Chief for a display permit which authorizes
the holder to ignite, explode, set off or detonate fireworks in accordance with
the terms of the display permit.
9.14.6 To obtain a display permit, the applicant must be at least 18 years of age
and submit:
(a)
a completed display permit application;
(b)
an indemnity agreement;
(c)
an application fee in the amount set out from time to time in the
Consolidated Fees Bylaw No. 8636;
(d)
an authorization signed by the property owner or owner's agents,
where the fireworks event is to occur on property not owned by the
applicant;
(e)
a certificate of insurance showing evidence that the applicant has
comprehensive general liability insurance which:
(i)
has a coverage limit of not less than $5,000,000 per occurrence;
(ii)
includes the City as an additional named insured;
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(iii)
has a deductible of not more than $5,000, unless the City
advises in writing that it consents to a higher deductible; and
(f)
proof of Fireworks Supervisor or Pyrotechnician certification issued to
the applicant by the Explosives Regulatory Division of Natural
Resources Canada at least ten business days prior to the fireworks
event.
9.14.7
The Fire Chief is authorized to:
(a)
issue display permits to eligible applicants;
(b)
refuse to issue a display permit where the applicant has failed to
meet the requirements of section 9.14.6;
(c)
refuse to issue a display permit where the applicant has provided
false information on the application for the permit;
(d)
impose terms and conditions on a display permit regarding the
following:
(i)
the location at which the fireworks display may take place;
(ii)
the time or times within which the fireworks display may take
place;
(iii)
fire safety precautions which must be taken with respect to the
fireworks display;
(iv) safe storage of fireworks;
(e)
revoke, cancel, or suspend a display permit where:
(i)
the holder has violated the terms and conditions of the display
permit or the provisions of this bylaw or any applicable
provincial or federal legislation;
(ii)
the holder has acted in such a manner as to endanger property
or public safety; or
(iii)
environmental or weather conditions are such that the use of
fireworks would endanger property or public safety; and
(f)
conduct an examination or analysis of an article that appears to be a
firework, and to prepare a report confirming that the Fire Chief has
examined or analyzed the item, describing the results of the
examination or analysis, and stating whether or not, in the opinion of
the Fire Chief, the item is a firework.
9.14.8
The holder of a display permit must comply with the terms and conditions
specified in the display permit and the requirements of this bylaw, all other
bylaws of the City, and all applicable provincial and federal legislation.
9.14.9
In the event that a display permit is denied, revoked, cancelled or
suspended, the application fee is non-refundable.
9.14.10
A display permit is:
(a)
valid only for the location and during the times specified in the display
permit; and
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(b)
not transferable.
9.14.11
Fire inspectors, bylaw enforcement officers, police officers and others as
designated by the Fire Chief are authorized to enter on property at any time
to determine whether the requirements of a display permit and of this and
other applicable bylaws of the City and any applicable provincial or federal
statutes are being met.
PART TEN: SAFETY TO LIFE
10.1 Exits and Means of Egress
10.1.1 Every owner or occupier of premises must at all times ensure that all exits
and means of egress required under the Building Code, Fire Services Act,
Fire Code or the City's Building Regulation Bylaw No. 7320, all as amended
from time to time, are properly maintained and remain unobstructed at all
times.
10.1.2 An owner or occupier must not install or permit or allow the use of a smoke
emitting security alarm system or other such system which upon activation
may obstruct an exit or means of egress or potentially result in confusion to
occupiers or to fire fighters.
10.1.3 An owner or occupier must ensure that every required exit door located in
an open floor storage area shall be served by an aisle that::
(a)
is kept clear at all times of any materials or products;
(b)
has a clear width of not less than 1100 mm (44 inches);
(c)
extends from the exit door past the storage area and into the open
floor area a minimum of 1800 mm (72 inches);
(d)
is provided with adequate emergency lighting coverage;
(e)
has a painted yellow boarder 100 mm (4 inches) in width with
diagonal lines spaced 300 mm (12 inches) apart between the aisle
borders; and
(f)
where the painted yellow border extends into the open floor area, has
the word "EXIT" painted on the floor with an arrow directing occupants
towards the exit.
10.1.4 No locking devices other than locking devices permitted by the Building
Code shall be installed on any required exit doors.
10.1.5 An owner of a building which is equipped with a passenger elevator must
ensure that a sign is displayed directly above the elevator call button on each
floor reading:
IN CASE OF FIRE, USE EXIT STAIRWAY
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DO NOT USE ELEVATOR
10.1.6 The dimensions of each sign required under Subsection 10.1.5 must be at
least 75 mm by 130 mm in size and printed on permanent red and white, or
white on red plastic laminate or equivalent material.
10.1.7 The owner of every building having three or more storeys must
conspicuously display in all stairwells at each floor level, numbers or signs
identifying each floor level. If numbers are used, the minimum height of those
numbers shall be 150 mm. If wording is used, the dimensions and type must
not be less than 50 mm by 150 mm on permanent red on white, or white on
red plastic laminate or equivalent material.
10.1.8 A person must not hinder or obstruct the self-closing operation of doors in fire
separations or doors separating stair enclosures from the remainder of the
building.
10.1.9 A person must not stand, loiter, sit in or otherwise obstruct the aisles,
passages or stairways of any church, theatre, hall, skating rink or other place
of amusement or public resort or assembly.
10.1.10 An owner or occupier of premises must ensure that exit signs are
maintained in a clean and legible condition and must be clearly illuminated
from behind where such illumination is required by the Building Code.
10.1.11 An owner or occupier of premises must ensure that self-contained
emergency lighting unit equipment and emergency lights are inspected and
tested at intervals not greater than one month to ensure that emergency
lights will function upon failure of the primary power supply, and at intervals
not greater than 12 months to ensure the unit will provide emergency lighting
for a duration equal to the design criterion.
10.2
Storage in Buildings, Service Rooms or Areas
10.2.1 Every owner or occupier of a building must ensure that no materials or
items are stored in storage locker room aisles, elevator rooms, boiler rooms,
furnace rooms, rooms that accommodate air-conditioning or heating
appliances, pumps, compressors or other building services, except that, the
Fire Chief may permit limited or restricted storage of specific materials or
items as part of a fire safety plan.
10.2.2 Every electrical room and electrical vault shall conform to the Electrical Safety
Regulation of the Safety Standards Act of British Columbia, as amended.
10.3
Tampering with Fire Protection Equipment
10.3.1 A person must not tamper with, alter or damage any fire protection
equipment or use or operate any fire extinguisher or other fire protection
equipment except for the purpose of testing or for the purpose for which the
extinguisher or equipment is intended.
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PART ELEVEN: INSPECTION OF BUILDINGS
11.1
Frequency of Inspections
11.1.1 The Fire Chief is directed and authorized to:
(a)
establish a regular system for the inspection of all hotels, public
buildings, churches, theatres, halls and other buildings used as a
place of public resort;
(b)
establish a regular system for the inspection of all other buildings in
the City;
(c)
establish classes of buildings and different inspection frequencies for
different classes of buildings;
(d)
amend the frequency of inspection schedules from time to time; and
(e)
provide one copy of the current frequency of inspection schedule to
each person who requests one.
PART TWELVE: INSPECTION AND TESTING OF FIRE PROTECTION
EQUIPMENT
12.1
Maintenance and Testing of Emergency Equipment
12.1.1 Every person who is required under a provision of the Fire Code to perform
or cause to be performed, annually or less frequently than annually, an
inspection or test of fire protection equipment for a hotel or public building,
or to perform or cause to be performed an inspection or test of fire
suppression systems in commercial kitchen exhaust systems, shall ensure
that:
(a)
the inspection or test is performed by a fire protection technician
and in accordance with the Fire Code; and
(b)
the inspection or test is recorded, or the fire protection equipment is
tagged or labelled in accordance with the Fire Code and any
regulations or bylaws under the Applied Science Technologists and
Technicians Act, all as amended from time to time, and in a manner
acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction.
12.1.2 Every person who owns, controls or otherwise has charge of any fixed fire
protection equipment must notify Richmond Fire-Rescue at any time such
system or systems are inoperable or taken out of service, and must notify
Richmond Fire-Rescue again when service is restored.
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12.1.3 Every fire protection technician who carries out inspections and
maintenance of fire protection equipment must use the Inspection and
Testing form approved under the Applied Science Technologists and
Technicians Act, as amended or replaced from time to time, and must
forward a copy of the completed form upon completion of the inspection or
maintenance to the owner or occupier of the building. Upon request by the
Fire Chief, the owner or occupier must provide a copy of the completed form
to Richmond Fire-Rescue.
12.1.4 A person must not undertake any work or testing on fire protection
equipment or life safety systems that sends an alarm directly to an alarm
monitoring company without prior notice to that alarm monitoring company.
12.1.5 The owner or occupier of every building that is equipped with a fire alarm
system that is not continuously monitored by an approved monitoring agency
must ensure that at each manual fire alarm pull station, a permanent sign is
mounted reading:
LOCAL ALARM ONLY - IN CASE OF FIRE, TELEPHONE 9-1-1
The dimensions of each such sign must be not less than 50 mm by 100 mm
in size and be printed on permanent red on white, or white on red plastic
laminate or equivalent material.
PART THIRTEEN: CONTROL OF FIRE ACCESS
13.1 Fire Roads, Fire Trails & Firebreaks
13.1.1 The Fire Chief may erect or install gates, cables or other devices and may
securely lock the same to prevent the use by unauthorized persons of any
emergency access route, truck trail, driveway, path or highway, whether or
not a public highway, over which Richmond Fire-Rescue has the lawful right
to pass, whether by easement, license, City ownership or possession or
otherwise, for purposes relating to fire protection or control.
PART FOURTEEN: ENFORCEMENT
14.1
Fire Orders
14.1.1 Except for an order issued pursuant to Subsection 9.7.3, a person against
whom an order has been made under this Bylaw may, by submitting a
request in writing before the expiration of ten days from the date of the order,
appeal to or seek a reconsideration by the Fire Chief, who may uphold the
order, vary or set aside the order, or issue an alternative order. For an order
issued pursuant to Subsection 9.7.3, the written request must be made within
twenty-four (24) hours of receiving the order.
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14.1.2 An order made by the Fire Chief or a Fire Inspector under this Bylaw may
be served:
(a)
by delivering it or causing it to be delivered to the person to whom it is
directed;
(b)
by sending the order by mail to the last known property owner; or
(c)
if the person to whom it is directed cannot be found, is not known or
refuses to accept service of the order, by posting a copy of the order
in a conspicuous place on the premises that is subject to the order.
14.1.3 If an order has been posted in accordance with 14.1.2, a person must not
remove, deface or destroy the order.
14.1.4 A person against whom an order has been made under this Bylaw may,
before the expiration of ten days from the date of the order, appeal in writing
to the Fire Chief, who may uphold the order, vary or set aside the order of a
Fire Inspector, or issue an alternative order.
14.1.5 Every order issued by the Fire Chief or a Fire Inspector shall state a date by
which the order shall be carried out, which date shall, in the discretion of the
issuer, 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.
14.1.6 Where a person is in default of an order made pursuant to this Bylaw, the
City by its employees, servants or agents may enter the premises and effect
such work as is required in the notice at the cost and expense of the owner
or occupier of the premises, payable upon receipt of invoice from the City.
14.2 Penalties
14.2.1 A person who:
(a)
contravenes, violates or fails to comply with any provision of this
Bylaw or of any permit or order issued under this Bylaw;
(b)
suffers or allows any act or thing to be done in contravention or
violation of this Bylaw or any permit or order issued under this Bylaw;
or
(c)
fails or neglects to do anything required to be done under this Bylaw
or any permit or order issued under this Bylaw;
commits an offence and upon conviction shall be liable to a fine of not more
than Ten Thousand ($10,000.00) Dollars, and where the offence is a
continuing one, each day that the offence is continued shall constitute a
separate offence.
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14.3 Enforcement by Municipal Ticket
14.3.1 This bylaw may be enforced by means of a ticket issued under the City's
Municipal Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw, No. 7321, as amended or
replaced from time to time.
14.4 Notice of Bylaw Violation
14.4.1 A violation of provisions of this bylaw may result in liability for penalties and
late payment amounts established in Schedule A of the Notice of Bylaw
Violation Dispute Adjudication Bylaw No. 8122, as amended or replaced from
time to time.
14.4.2 A violation of provisions of this bylaw may be subject to the procedures,
restrictions, limits, obligations and rights established in the Notice of Bylaw
Violation Dispute Adjudication Bylaw No. 8122 in accordance with the Local
Government Bylaw Notice Enforcement Act, SBC 2003, c.60.
PART FIFTEEN: FEES AND COST RECOVERY
15.1 Permit and Service Fees
15.1.1 Every person who applies for any of the following services of Richmond
Fire-Rescue must pay the applicable fee in the amount set from time to time
in the Consolidated Fees Bylaw No. 8636 of this bylaw:
(a) a permit required under Part Four;
(b) review of a new fire safety plan;
(c) review of an existing or amended fire safety plan;
(d) review of a fire safety plan for demolition and construction;
(e) review of a new pre-incident plan;
(f) review of an existing pre-incident plan;
(g) for a security alarm routed to Richmond Fire-Rescue;
(h) for providing public education services including, but not limited to, fire
extinguisher training; and
(i) file records research.
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15.2
Inspection Fees
15.2.1 Every person who obtains any of the following inspections by Richmond Fire-
Rescue must pay the applicable fee in the amount set from time to time in the
Consolidated Fees Bylaw No. 8636 of this Bylaw:
(a)
a special request inspection of a building, structure or site to
determine compliance with this Bylaw or the Fire Code; or
(b)
re-inspection of premises after an order has been issued under this
Bylaw.
15.3 No Relief from Other Fees
15.3.1 Payment of any of the fees specified in Section 15.1 or 15.2 does not relieve
a person from the requirement to pay any other fee prescribed under the Fire
Code, the Building Code, the Fire Services Act, another City bylaw or any
other applicable legislation.
15.4 Nuisance and Dangerous Goods Incidents
15.4.1 Every person who, wilfully or recklessly and without reasonable cause:
(a)
sets a fire to which Richmond Fire-Rescue must respond;
(b)
makes or causes to be made a false alarm;
(c)
causes a fire or loss that can be directly attributed to the use of
fireworks contrary to the requirements and restrictions of the
Fireworks Regulation Bylaw No. 7917, as amended, or;
(d)
carries out open air burning of combustible materials without a permit;
shall be deemed to have caused a nuisance and, in addition to any penalty
imposed under this bylaw or otherwise by law, shall be liable to pay the actual
costs and expenses incurred by Richmond Fire-Rescue in abating that
nuisance by responding to and investigating the fire, loss or false alarm,
calculated in accordance with the rates in the amount set from time to time in
the Consolidated Fees Bylaw No. 8636 of this bylaw.
15.4.2 Every owner, carrier, agency, organization or other person having
responsibility for the transport, storage or use of dangerous goods, shall be
responsible, at that person's own cost and expense, for the clean up and safe
disposal of all such dangerous goods arising from any incident, and a
person who fails to do so shall be liable to pay the actual costs and expenses
incurred by Richmond Fire-Rescue;
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(a)
the costs and expenses incurred by the City or its contractors or
agents for the clean up and safe transport and disposal of the
dangerous goods; and
(b)
the costs incurred by Richmond Fire-Rescue in mitigating the
dangerous goods incident, including without limitation, equipment
replacement and decontamination costs.
15.5 False Alarm Incident Fees
15.5.1 The owner or occupier of premises containing a fire alarm system shall,
on the occurrence of a second false alarm and for each subsequent false
alarm occurring in any calendar year to which Richmond Fire-Rescue must
respond, pay the City a fee for each such false alarm in accordance with in
the amount set from time to time in the Consolidated Fees Bylaw No. 8636.
15.5.2 Where an owner or occupier notifies Richmond Fire-Rescue that an alarm
from a fire alarm system is a false alarm before a vehicle leaves a fire
station, the fee in the amount set from time to time in the Consolidated Fees
Bylaw No. 8636 shall be reduced by 50%.
15.5.3 Where an owner or occupier makes improvements to a fire alarm system
or takes other steps acceptable to the Fire Chief to reduce or eliminate future
false alarms, then, upon receipt of an application in writing, 50% of the fee
paid under Section 17.5.1 may be refunded to the owner or occupier.
15.5.4 The Fire Chief is authorized to implement a false alarm reduction program, in
a form and format determined by the Fire Chief, for any building where the
frequent activation of a false alarm signal in the building has, in the opinion
of the Fire Chief, reduced or affected safety to life and property.
15.5.5. Where Richmond Fire-Rescue is required to respond to a fire alarm in a
building that is part of a false alarm reduction program and the owner or
occupier of the building has failed to participate in the program or comply
with the conditions of the program, the owner or occupier must pay the
applicable fee in the amount set from time to time in the Consolidated Fees
Bylaw No. 8636 of this Bylaw.
15.5.6 A person must not cause, permit, or allow, a security or fire alarm:
(a)
to sound continuously or sporadically for a period of more than 2
hours; or
(b)
to continue to sound once the premises or vehicle is secure.
15.5.7 For the purposes of subsection 15.5.6, a person is deemed to have caused
the sound even if the sounding of the alarm arose from malfunction of the
said alarm.
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15.5.8 In the event of a violation of subsection 15.5.6, an inspector may stop the
alarm from sounding by:
(a)
in the case of a house alarm, entering onto the property, including
entering into any buildings on the property, and disabling the alarm by
whatever means possible; and
(b)
in the case of a vehicle alarm, by having the alarm disconnected and
towing the vehicle, at the owner's expense, to a secure storage yard.
15.5.9 Neither the City, any City employee, Police Officer, nor any persons
authorized by the City to enforce subsections 15.5.6, 15.5.7 and 15.5.8 may
be found liable for any action taken in good faith, pursuant to those
subsections.
15.5.10 Every owner or occupier of real property from which a false alarm has been
generated must pay to the City the amount set out from time to time in the
Consolidated Fees Bylaw No. 8636.
15.6 Security Alarm Incident Fees
15.6.1 Where Richmond Fire-Rescue is required to respond to any alarm that
results from a security alarm system being routed to Richmond Fire-
Rescue, the owner or occupier of the premises must pay the applicable fee
in the amount set from time to time in the Consolidated Fees Bylaw No. 8636.
15.7 Fire Alarm Testing Fee
15.7.1 Where a person fails to notify the monitoring company or Richmond Fire-
Rescue when carrying out testing, repair, maintenance, adjustments or
alterations to a fire alarm system, as required by this Bylaw, and such failure
results in the activation of the fire alarm system requiring a response by
Richmond Fire-Rescue, that person must pay the applicable fee in the
amount set from time to time in the Consolidated Fees Bylaw No. 8636.
15.8 General Fee Regulations
15.8.1 Where more than one person is liable to pay a fee or pay for the actual costs
and expenses incurred by Richmond Fire-Rescue, the fee or the costs and
expenses may be imposed among the persons involved on a pro rata basis.
15.8.2 Where under this Bylaw the City is authorized or required to provide work or
services to lands or improvements, and the costs incurred by the City in
carrying out such work or services are not paid when due and payable, the
City may recover those costs from the owner of the lands or improvements
in the same manner and with the same remedies as ordinary taxes and, if the
costs remain unpaid on December 31, they shall be deemed to be taxes in
arrear.
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PART SIXTEEN - REPEAL
16.1 Repeal of Previous Bylaw
16.1.1 The Fire Prevention Bylaw No. 4564, 1986 is hereby repealed.
16.1.2 The Fire Protection Equipment inspection Regulation Bylaw No. 7312, 2002
is hereby repealed.
16.1.3 The Fire and Security Systems Bylaw No. 7362, 2002 is hereby repealed.
PART SEVENTEEN - FEES BYLAW
17.1
The Consolidated Fees Bylaw No. 8636, as may be amended from time to
time, applies to this bylaw.
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SCHEDULE "A"
to Fire Protection and Life Safety Bylaw No. 8306
Interpretation
In this Bylaw:
"apparatus" means any vehicle machinery, device, equipment or material used for fire
protection or assistance response and any vehicle used to transport members or
supplies;
"assistance response" means aid provided in respect of fires, alarms, explosions,
medical assistance, floods, earthquakes or other natural disasters, escape of dangerous
goods, rail or aeronautical incidents, motor vehicle or other accidents, or circumstances
necessitating rescue efforts;
"authority having jurisdiction" means any person or agency authorized by this or any
other bylaw, regulation or statute to inspect or approve any thing or place;
"building" means any structure used or intended for supporting or sheltering any use or
occupancy;
"Building Code" means the British Columbia Building Code, as amended or re-enacted
from time to time;
"business day" means Monday through Friday, inclusive, except where such day falls
on a statutory holiday;
"Bylaw Enforcement Officer" means an employee of the City, appointed to the job
position or title of bylaw enforcement officer or licence inspector, or acting in another
capacity, on behalf of the City for the purpose of the enforcement of one or more of the
City bylaws.;
"City" means the Corporation of the City of Richmond and the geographic area
governed thereby, as the context requires;
"City Engineer" means the Director of Engineering for the City or a person designated
to act in the place of the Director;
"combustible dust" means dusts and particles that are ignitable and liable to produce
an explosion;
"combustible fibre" means finely divided, combustible vegetable or animal fibres and
thin sheets or flakes of such materials which, in a loose, unbaled condition, present a
flash fire hazard, including but not limited to cotton, wool, hemp, sisal, jute, kapok,
paper and cloth;
"combustible liquid" means a liquid having a flash point at or above 37.8 degrees
Celsius and below 93.3 degrees Celsius;
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"combustible material" means any material capable of being ignited;
"combustible metal" means a metal, including but not limited to magnesium, titanium,
sodium, potassium, calcium, lithium, hafnium, zirconium, zinc, thorium, uranium,
plutonium or other similar metals, which ignites easily when in the form of fine particles
or molten metal;
"construct" includes build, erect, install, repair, alter, add, enlarge, move, locate,
relocate or reconstruct;
"construction" includes a building, erection, installation, repair, alteration, addition,
enlargement, or reconstruction;
"Council" means Council for the City;
"dangerous goods" means those products or substances that are regulated under the
Canada Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act and its Regulation, as amended from
time to time;
"Deputy Fire Safety Director" means a person appointed in writing by a building
owner, business owner or a Fire Safety Director and given the responsibility and
necessary authority to supervise and maintain a fire safety plan in the absence of the
Fire Safety Director;
"display permit" means a permit issued pursuant to section 9.14.7;
"emergency access route" means portion of a roadway or yard providing an access
route for Richmond Fire-Rescue vehicles from a public thoroughfare, as required under
the Building Code;
"explosion" means a rapid release of energy, that may or may not be preceded or
followed by a fire, which produces a pressure wave or shock wave in air and is usually
accompanied by a loud noise;
"extension cord" means a portable, flexible electrical cord of any length which has one
male connector on one end and one or more female connectors on the other;
"false alarm" means the activation of a fire alarm system or security alarm system as
a result of which services, including fire, police, bylaws and health inspector services, or
any of them, are provided by or on behalf of the City and the providers of the services
do not find any evidence of fire, fire damage, smoke, criminal activity or other similar
emergency;
"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 dwelling unit in which it is installed;
"Fire Chief" means the Director of Fire-Rescue for the City, acting as head of
Richmond Fire-Rescue, or a person designated to act in the place of the Director;
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"Fire Code" means the Fire Code Regulation made under the Fire Services Act of
British Columbia, as amended or replaced from time to time;
"fire hazard" means any condition, arrangement or act which increases the likelihood of
fire or which may provide a ready fuel supply to augment the spread or intensity of a fire
or which may obstruct, delay, hinder, or interfere with the operations of Richmond Fire-
Rescue or the egress of occupants in the event of fire;
"Fire Inspector" means the Fire Chief and every member of Richmond Fire-Rescue
or any other person designated as such by the Fire Chief by name or office or
otherwise;
"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 Protection Technician" means a person certified under the Applied Science
Technologists and Technicians Act as a fire protection technologist, or a person having
other certification acceptable to the Fire Chief, that qualifies the person to perform
inspections and testing on fire protection equipment;
"Fire Safety Director" means a person appointed in writing by a building owner or
business owner and given the responsibility and necessary authority to supervise and
maintain a fire safety plan;
"fire safety plan" means a fire safety plan for a building required under the Fire Code
and this bylaw, that includes, without limitation:
(a)
emergency procedures to be used in case of fire,
(b)
training and appointment of designated supervisory staff to carry out fire safety
duties,
(c)
documents showing the type, location and operation of fire emergency systems,
(d)
the holding of fire drills,
(e)
the control of fire hazards, and
(f)
inspection and maintenance of facilities for the safety of the building's
occupants;
"Fire Services Act" means the Fire Services Act, RSBC 1996, c. 144, as amended or
replaced from time to time;
"fire watch" means a fire warning and inspection process within a building that includes
the following:
(a)
posting of written notices at all entrances and exists on each floor stating that a
Fire Watch is in effect and its expected duration;
(b)
an hourly physical inspection of all public areas and building service rooms
equipped with a fire alarm detection device;
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(c)
notation in an entry book at least one every hour of the conditions noted by the
person(s) performing the Fire Watch;
(d)
some provision on site for the person(s) performing the Fire Watch for the
making of 911 emergency call(s); and
(e)
posting of instructions in the building as to the alerting of all occupants of the
building of alternate actions to be taken in case of an emergency.
"fireworks" means any article containing a combustible or explosive composition or any
substance or combination of substances prepared for, capable of, or discharged for the
purposes of producing a pyrotechnical display which may or may not be preceded by,
accompanied with, or followed by an explosion, or an explosion without any
pyrotechnical display, and includes, without limitation, barrages, batteries, bottle rockets,
cannon crackers, fireballs, firecrackers, mines, pinwheels, roman candles, skyrockets,
squibs, torpedoes, and other items of a similar nature, that are intended for use in
pyrotechnical displays or as explosives or that are labelled, advertised, offered,
portrayed, presented or otherwise identified for any such purpose;
"flammable gas" means a gas which can ignite readily and burn rapidly or explosively;
"flammable liquid" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in the Fire Code;
"flammable material" means any free burning material including but not limited to
solids, combustible dust, combustible fibres, flammable liquid, flammable gas, and
liquified flammable gas;
"flash point" means the minimum temperature at which a liquid within a container gives
off vapour in sufficient concentration to form an ignitable mixture with air near the
surface of the liquid;
"incident" means an event or situation to which Richmond Fire-Rescue has
responded or would normally respond;
"Inspector" includes a Bylaw Enforcement Officer employed by the City, a Police
Officer, the Chief Public Health Inspector, and any employee acting under the
supervision of any of them;
"member" means a person employed by the City and holding a position within
Richmond Fire-Rescue as an officer or firefighter;
"member in charge" means the senior member at the scene of an incident or the
member that is appointed as such by the Fire Chief;
"occupancy" means the use or intended use of a building or part thereof for the
shelter or support of persons, animals or property;
"occupier" includes an owner or agent of the owner, a tenant, lessee, user, agent and
any other person who has a right of access to, possession and control of a building or
other premises to which this bylaw applies;
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"officer" means the Fire Chief, Deputy Fire Chief, Battalion Chief, Chief Training
Officer, Chief Fire Prevention Officer, a Captain and a Fire Prevention Officer and a
member designated by the Fire Chief to act in the capacity of an officer;
"officer in charge" means the senior member of Richmond Fire-Rescue who is
present at an incident or a member appointed as such by the Fire Chief;
"owner" means a person who has ownership or control of real or personal property, and
includes, without limitation,
(a)
the registered owner of an estate in fee simple,
(b)
the tenant for life under a registered life estate,
(c)
the registered holder of the last registered agreement for sale, and
(d)
in relation to common property and common facilities in a strata plan, the strata
corporation;
"Police Officer" means a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police;
"permit" means a current and valid document issued by the Fire Chief or a member
authorizing a person to carry out a procedure or undertaking described in the permit, or
to use, store or transport materials under conditions stipulated in the permit;
"pre-incident plan" means a document that includes general and detailed information
about a building to assist Richmond Fire-Rescue in determining the resources and
actions necessary to mitigate anticipated emergencies at that building;
"premises" includes the whole or any part of a lot of real property and any buildings or
structures on the property;
"Richmond Fire-Rescue" means that department of the City responsible for providing
fire and rescue services;
"security alarm system" means a device or devices installed on or in real property and
designed to warn of criminal activity or unauthorized entry by activating an audible alarm
signal or alerting a monitoring facility;
"sound" means an oscillation in pressure in air which can produce the sensation of
hearing when incident upon the ear;
"sprinkler system" means an integrated system of underground and overhead piping
designed in accordance with fire protection standards which is normally activated by
heat from a fire and discharges water over the fire area;
"storey" means that portion of a building which is situated between the top of any floor
and the top of the floor next above it, and is there is no floor above it, that portion
between the top of such floor and the ceiling above it;
"structure" means a construction or portion thereof, of any kind, whether fixed to,
supported or sunk into land or water, except landscaping, fences, paving and retaining
structures less than 1.22 metres in height; and
"vehicle" means the interpretation given in the Motor Vehicle Act.