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THE CORPORATION OF THE
CITY OF WHITE ROCK
BYLAW 2057
A By-law to establish services to prevent and suppress
fire, as well as other powers relating to hazards, dangerous
conditions and public safety.
WHEREAS the Council of the COIporation of the City of White Rock under the authority of the
COl/vll/Ylity Chm1er and of the Fire Services Act may provide services and requirements for the
protection of persons and property;
NOW THEREFORE, the COUNCIL of the Corporation of the City of White Rock in open
meeting assembled, enacts as follows:
1.
In this Bylaw, unless the context otherwise requires:
"Apparatus" means any vehicle provided with machinery, devices, equipment of
materials for fire fighting as well as vehicles used to transport fire fighters or supplies.
"Chief Administrative Officer" (CAO) means the Chief Administrative Officer of
the City of White Rock.
"City" means the Corporation of the City of White Rock.
"Council" means the elected Council of the Corporation of the City of
White Rock.
"Equipment" means any tools, contrivances, devices or materials used by
the Fire Department to combat an incident or other emergency.
"Extraordinary Waste" means vegetation located on a property when it has become
a health, fire or safety hazard.
"Fire Chier' means the person appointed to hold that position by Council.
"Fire Protection" means all aspects of fire safety including but not limited to fire
prevention, firef ighting or suppression, pre-fire planning, fire investigation, public
education and information, training and/or other staff development and advising.
"Incident" means a fire, an explosion, a situation where a fire or explosion is
imminent or any other situation presenting a danger or possible danger to life or
property or the environment and to which White Rock Fire Rescue has responded.
"Member" means any person appointed by the Fire Chief as a Member of the
Department and includes without limitation the Officers, Firefighters, and
administrative staff of the Department.
"White Rock Fire Protection and Sarety Bylaw, 2014, No. 2057"
Page 2 or II
"Officer" means those members of White Rock Fire Rescue who are the Fire Chief,
Deputy Fire Chiefs, Captains and Lieutenants or those members who are acting in the
capacity as a supervisor or designated by the Fire Chief as an officer
2.
OPERATIONS
2.1
A City Fire Department is hereby established and will be known as the City of White
Rock Fire Rescue Department hereinafter referred to as the "Fire Department".
2.2
The British Columbia Fire Code Regulations, hereinafter referred to as "the fire code", as
amended from time to time, are hereby adopted and made applicable within the City.
2.3
The Fire Chief shall be appointed by a resolution of Council. The recommendation of
the appointment of the Fire Chief is the responsibility of the CAO. The Fire Chief
shall report to the CAO in respect of the management of the Fire Department and the
condition of buildings, apparatus and equipment under the control of the Fire
Department.
2.4.
The Fire Chief may appoint officers and members.
The approved staffing may not
be increased without the specific approval of Council.
2.5
The Fire Chief may designate other Officers of the Fire Department to act as Fire
Chief on their behalf.
2.6
The limits of the jurisdiction of the Fire Chief, and the Officers and Members of the
Fire Department will extend to the areas and boundaries of the City, and to the operation
and control of fire apparatus and fire personnel of the White Rock Fire Department
when used beyond the limits of the City for mutual response, either automatic or
requested. Automatic mutual response shall be limited to those areas covered by the
Surrey Fire Department. Requested response to any jurisdiction shall be with:
(a)
the express authorization of a written contract or agreement providing for the
supply of fire fighting and assistance response services outside the City's
boundaries, or
(b)
the approval of the CAO, Mayor or Council.
2.7
The Fire Chief has complete responsibility and authority over the Fire Department
subject to the direction and COIlttol of the Council and CAO to which he shall be
responsible, and in particular, he shall be required to carry out all fire protection
activities and such other activities as the CAO or Council directs including but not
limited to:
(a)
Fire Suppression:
(b)
First Response, Medical Emergencies:
· "White Rock Fire Protection and Safety Bylaw, 2014, No. 2057"
Page3 of II
(c)
Rescue Operations:
To provide rescue operations in areas commensurate with the training levels
of response personnel.
(d)
Mutual Aid to Fire Services including Ministry of Forests: To provide
mutual aid as per agreements entered into from time to time and to provide
mutual aid commensurate with available apparatus and manpower.
(e)
Hazardous Materials (Dangerous Goods):
To provide a first responder awareness level response to any Hazardous
Materials (Dangerous Goods) incident and to provide for response by
competent personnel from industry and/or other jurisdictions to mitigate,
confine and eliminate any hazard to life, environment, and property.
(f)
Fire Prevention and Pre-Planning
(g)
Response to situations that present a danger or possible danger to life,
property or the environment
(h)
Emergency Planning
2.8
The Fire Chief shall establish rules regulations, policies and committees necessary for
the proper organization and administration of the Fire Department, including:
(a)
use, care and protection of City property;
(b)
the conduct and discipline of Officers and Members of the Fire Department;
(c)
efficient operations of the Fire Department
2.9
The Fire Chief, or in their absence, their designate or the senior ranking Member
present shall have control, direction and management of all Fire Department apparatus,
equipment or manpower assigned to an incident and, where a Member is in charge,
they shall continue to act until relieved by a Senior Officer.
2.10
The Fire Chief shall take responsibility for all fire protection matters including the
enforcement of the Fire Services Act and regulations thereunder and shall assume the
authority of the Local Assistant to the Fire Commissioner.
2.11
The Fire Chief, or any Officer or Member authorized by the Fire Chief may at any
reasonable time enter any premises for the purpose of Fire Protection matters.
2.12
The Fire Chief, Officer, or Member in charge at an incident, is empowered to cause a
building, structure, or thing to be pulled down, demolished or otherwise removed if
he deems it necessary to prevent the spread of fire to other buildings, structures or
things.
"White Rock Fire Protection and Safety Bylaw. 2014. No. 2057"
Page 4 of II
2.13
The Fire Chief, Officer, or Member in charge at an incident, is empowered to enter at
any time, premises or property where the incident occurred and to cause any Member,
apparatus or equipment of the Fire Department to enter, as they deem necessary, in order
to combat, control or deal with the incident.
2.14
The Fire Chief, Officer, or Member in charge at an incident is empowered during the
incident to enter, pass through or over buildings or property adjacent to an incident
and to cause Members of the Fire Department and the apparatus and equipment of the
Fire Department to enter or pass over or through buildings structures or property where
they deem it necessary to gain access to the incident or to protect any person or
property.
2.15
The Fire Chief, Officer or Member in charge at an incident, may at their discretion
establish boundaries or limits and keep persons from entering the area within the
prescribed boundaries or limits unless authorized to enter by them.
2.16 The Fire Chief, Officer or Member in charge at an incident, may request Peace
Officers to enforce restrictions on persons entering within the boundaries or limits
outlined in Section 2.15 of this bylaw.
2.17 The Fire Chief may obtain assistance from other officials as they deem necessary in
order to discharge their duties and responsibilities under this bylaw.
2.18
The Fire Chief, Officer or Member in charge at an incident is empowered to
commandeer privately owned equipment which they consider necessary to deal with
an incident.
The owner of property, equipment or premises where an incident originates must pay
all costs, expenses and charges incurred by the City to commandeer the privately
owned equipment.
2.19
No person shall enter the boundaries or limits of an area as prescribed in accordance
with Section 2.15 of this bylaw unless they have been authorized to enter by the Fire
Chief, Officer or Member in charge.
3.
CONDUCT OF PERSON(S)
3.1
No person at an incident shall impede, obstruct or hinder a Member of the Fire
Department or other person assisting or acting under the direction of the Fire Chief,
Officer or Member in charge.
3.2
No person shall damage, or destroy, or obstruct impede or hinder the operation of any
Fire Department apparatus or equipment.
3.3
No person at or near an incident shall drive a vehicle over any equipment without the
permission of the Fire Chief, Officer or Member in charge.
"While Rock Fire Proleclion and Sa rely Bylaw. 2014. No. 2057"
PageS or \I
3.4
No person shall falsely represent himself as a member or wear or display any
White Rock Fire Rescue Department badge, cap, button, insignia or other
paraphernalia for the purpose of such false representation.
3.5
No person shall obstruct or otherwise interfere with access roads or streets or other
approaches to any incident, fire hydrant, cistern or body of water designated for
firefighting purposes.
4.
CONTAMINATION AND REPLACEMENT OF EQUIPMENT
4.1
The Fire Chief may charge an owner or occupant of a premise for the replacement or
repair of Fire Department equipment where as a result of an incident at or near their
premises, such equipment has been damaged or contaminated by a hazardous
substance or dangerous good, and will require decontamination, repair or replacement.
This will be the actual repair or replacement cost. Failure for the owner or occupant to
pay a fee charged within thirty (30) days will result in those costs being added to the
property taxes of the owner of the property.
5.
FIRE PREVENTION
5.1
OUTDOOR BURNING - No person shall at any time start, light, ignite or burn, or
knowingly permit or cause to be started, lighted, ignited or burn any fire of any kind in
the open air or in any portable incinerator or other portable appliance or device in the
open air, except where such fire is contained within an approved portable appliance or
device that has been specifically designed to be fueled by propane, natural gas or
charcoal.
For purposes of this section, an open air fire does not include:
(a)
fire training exercises approved by the Fire Chief;
(b)
fires necessary for public safety and approved by the Fire Chief;
(c)
fires for special circumstances and approved in advance in writing by the
Fire Chief;
5.2
RESIDENTIAL BURNING
(a)
A person must not burn residential waste, including. without limitations,
household waste and yard materials, indoors or in the open air under an y
circumstances.
(b) A person must not fuel a residential fireplace or woodstove with any material
other than seasoned firewood or similar material designed for that use and that
does not contain painted or adhesive materials.
"White Rock Fire Protection and Safety Bylaw. 2014. No. 2057"
Page 6 of II
5.3
ACCUMULATION OF COMBUSTIBLES
(a)
No occupier or owner shall cause or permit wastepaper. grass. weeds. litter or
other combustible material. waste or rubbish to accumulate on a roof or in a
yard. vacant lot. carport. garage or open space
(b)
Every occupier or owner shall ensure that all brush. vines or other growth.
which may catch fire and endanger property are cut down and removed from
the property.
(c)
The Fire Chief or a Member may order an occupier or owner to take certain
measures to comply with this Section. If a person who has been delivered
such an order fails to comply fully within the time specified in the order. the
Fire Chief may cause or direct the work to be carried out by the City through
its employees or contractors. and in that event. the occupier or owner shall be
responsible for all costs and expenses incurred by the City as set out on an
invoice.
5.4
FIRE SAFETY PLAN REQUIREMENTS
(a)
Every occupier of a building. site. storage area or other area for which a
Fire Safety Plan is required by the Fire Code shall submit a Fire Safety Plan to
the Fire Department for approval.
(b)
Every occupier submitting a Fire Safety Plan to the Fire Department for review
shall pay the applicable fee prescribed in the City's approved Fees and Charges
Bylaw.
(c)
Every Fire Safety Plan shall conform to the requirements of the Fire Code and
shall be submitted in a form acceptable to the Fire Chief.
(d)
Every occupier of premises where a Fire Safety Plan is required. shall review
the Fire Safety Plan annually and either submit an updated plan to the Fire
Department for review or provide notification to the Fire Department that no
updated plan is required. Where changes are to be made to the Fire Safety
Plan. the revised plan shall first be submitted to the Fire Department for review
and approval.
(e)
If an occupier fails to submit a Fire Safety Plan as required by this bylaw. they
may be issued a ticket under the City's approved Ticketing for Bylaw Offences
Bylaw.
"White Rock Fire Protection and Safety Bylaw, 2014, No. 2057"
Page 7 of II
5.5
FIRE PROTECTION EQUIPMENT
Buildings
(a)
In respect of every building or occupancy, Fire Protection Equipment must be
installed and maintained in accordance with good engineering practices and in
accordance with the codes and standards
i)
Set out in the British Columbia Building Code and BC Fire Code as
amended, from time to time; and
ii)
Published by the National Fire Protection Association as amended from
time to time;
(b)
Where the design or construction of a new or existing building may cause poor
communications for lirelighting and rescue operations, or where the owner is
directed to do so by the Fire Chief, the owner shall, at the owners cost, ensure that
an engineered communications system, compatible with Fire Department radio
communications and acceptable to the Fire Chief, is installed and maintained on
the building.
5.6
INSPECTION FEE COST RECOVERY
(a)
Where violation(s) under the Fire Code, Fire Services Act or this Bylaw are
observed upon inspection of a premises, an Officer may issue an order
requiring that the violation(s) be corrected within a specilied time period and
advising of a return date for a re-inspection. If upon re-inspection the order has
not been complied with and the violations corrected, the owner or occupier of
the premises shall pay the applicable re-inspection fee prescribed in the City's
current Fees and Charges Bylaw, for that re-inspection and for each re-
inspection required thereafter until the violations are corrected.
(b)
If any additional inspection is requested or required during an inspection
period, a fee shall be charged for each additional inspection. The charge is
subject to a cost recovery in accordance with the City's current Fees and
Charges Bylaw. Failure for the owner or occupant to pay a fee charged within
thirty (30) days will result in those costs being added to the property taxes of
the owner of the property.
(c)
Remedial Orders
The Fire Chief or an Officer designated by them are hereby authorized and
empowered to issue orders in writing requiring the correction or removal of
any condition or thing in or about any building or structure which is in
contravention of this Bylaw, and every owner or occupant of same shall carry
out of every requirement of the order.
(d)
Dating of Orders
Every order issued by the Fire Chief or an Officer designated by them pursuant
hereto 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 or urgency
"White Rock Fire Protection and Safety Bylaw, 2014, No. 2057"
Page 8 of II
involved in correcting or removing conditions which may tend to increase the
hazard of fire or danger to life and property.
(e)
Enforcement Orders
If the Fire Chief finds that any provision of this bylaw has been contravened or
has not been complied with or has been complied with improperly or only in
part, or that conditions exist in or about a building or property to which the
bylaw applies and which constitutes a fire hazard or otherwise constitutes a
hazard to life or property or both, he or she may make an order to ensure full
and proper compliance with this bylaw and, in particular, but without limiting
the generality of the foregoing, he or she may:
i)
make to the owner, occupier or lessee of the building or property such
recommendations to correct the contravention or to ensure compliance
with this bylaw or to remove the hazards referred to in the bylaw; or
ii)
make orders with respect to any of the matters referred to this in the
bylaw; and
iii)
if the owner does not comply with sentences (I) andior(2) above, the
Fire Chief may take appropriate action to mitigate the hazard and may
recover the costs and expenses from the owner or occupier.
5.7
CONTACf PERSONS
(a)
Every registered owner and occupier of real property or either of them that has
a fire alarm system or a monitored or un monitored automatic fire sprinkler
system installed on premises on the property, or both, must submit to the Fire
Chief, in a prescribed form, the name and telephone number of at least one
person (the "Contact Person") who is available to attend, enter and secure the
premises in the event that either system is activated and the Fire Department
attends at the property. The Contact Person form must be updated on the
earlier of every twelve months and the date on which the Contact Person is
changed. The Contact Person must:
i) normally reside and work in the areas that will allow the Contact Person to
reach the premises within 45 minutes under normal conditions;
ii) be familiar with the premises and have possession of any keys, passcards,
security codes and any other required entry devices or information to gain
access to and re-secure the premises; and
iii) have full authority to take possession and control of the premises and
property from the Fire Department once an incident is concluded.
(b)
If a Contact Person is notified of an incident on the premises by the Fire
Department, that person must attend at the premises from which the alarm
originated within 45 minutes of notification.
"White Rock Fire Protection and Sarety Bylaw, 2014, No. 2057"
Page 9 or! I
(c)
Any .owner or .occupier, or bDth as the case may be, that fails or whDse
CDntact PersDn fails tD cDmply with SectiDns 5.7(a) and 5.7(b) will pay the
fees prescribed in the City's current Fees and Charges Bylaw.
5.8
ADDRESSING OF OCCUPANCIES
(a)
Each premise must be individually addressed. An individual address must be
legible frDm a distance .of 15 meters and placed .on new Dr existing buildings Dr
structures in such a p.ositiDn as tD be plainly visible and legible from the street,
road, fire lane .or .other right .of way .or easement and at the front .of the
structure.
(b)
Sizing .of Address - The letters Dr numbers .of any address shall be a minimum
.of 127 mm in height and nD less than 12.7 mm width.
5.9
SECURING FIRE DAMAGED OR VACANT BUILDINGS
5.9.1
Where a fire has occurred in a building Dr structure which, in the DpiniDn .of the Fire
Department has rendered entry tD that building or structure unsafe, it is the registered
.owner's respDnsibility tD immediately secure the building Dr structure in a manner
sufficient tD prevent entry tD the same.
The City may, after making reasDnable efforts to cDntact the registered .owner Dr
.occupant .of the building or structure Dr the CDntact PersDn where applicable, tD advise
them .of the need tD secure the building Dr structure under this sectiDn, instruct its
employees or agents tD bDard up the building or structure tD the extent required by this
section.
The registered .owner .of the property .on which the building Dr structure is situated
shall be liable for the cost .of securing and boarding the building or structure.
Every registered .owner of the property .on which a vacant building Dr structure is
IDcated must cDmply with SectiDn 2.4.6 .of the Fire CDde which requires that the
building Dr structure be secured against unauthDrized entry. Where a registered owner
fails to meet the requirements .of this section, the City may, after making reasDnable
effDrts tD cDntact the registered .owner .of the vacant building Dr structure Dr the
CDntact PersDn where applicable, tD advise them .of the need tD secure the vacant
building Dr structure under this sectiDn, instruct its emplDyees or agents tD bDard up the
vacant building Dr structure tD the extent required by this sectiDn. The registered
.owner .of the property on which the vacant building Dr structure is situated shall be
liable fDr the CDst .of securing and bDarding the building Dr structure.
"While Rock Fire Proleclion and SafelY 8ylaw, 2014, No. 2057"
Page 10 of II
6.
FIRE HYDRANTS
6.1
Clearance Around Hydrants
Every owner shall ensure that an area with a radius of one (I) metre is maintained
clear and unobstructed around each fire hydrant, and in clear view from the roadway
when approached from either direction.
An area having a radius of one (I) metre around every fire hydrant or standpipe shall
be maintained clear and unobstructed and every hydrant or standpipe shall be located
in clear view from roadway while being approached from either direction. Where an
owner of a property has a fire hydrant located adjacent to their property, the
maintenance of clearance around the hydrant is the responsibility of the registered
owner of the property. The standard for clearance around a hydrant is regulated by the
Fire Code.
7.
FIRE INVESTIGATION FEE COST RECOVERY
7.1
For every incident where damage is in excess of five thousand dollars ($5,000) and for
which a Fire Investigation and Fire Investigation report must be completed by the Fire
Chief or an Officer designated by the Fire Chief in accordance with the Fire Services
Act, a charge or fee for the investigation may be levied against the owner of the
structure where the damage occurred, in accordance with the City's current Fees and
Charges Bylaw.
8.
OFFENCES AND PENALTIES
8.1
A person who:
a)
contravenes, violates or fails to comply with any provision of this Bylaw or of any
permit or order issued under this Bylaw;
b)
suffers or allows any act or thing to be done in contravention or violation of this
Bylaw or any permit or order issued under this Bylaw; or
c)
fails or neglects to do anything required to be done under this Bylaw or any
permit or order issued under this Bylaw;
commits an offence and upon conviction shall be liable to a fine of not more than ten
thousand dollars ($ 10,000) and where the offense is a continuing one, each day that
the offense is continued shall constitute a separate offence.
The City may enforce the provisions of this Bylaw through the issuance of a ticket
under the City's current Ticketing for Bylaw Offences Bylaw.
In the event that an Owner fails to pay the costs for which they are responsible under
this Bylaw before the 31" day of December in the year in which the compliance was
effected and the invoice issued, the COlllllllllziry Charter provides that such costs will
then be deemed to be taxes in arrears on the Property.
"White Rock Fire Protection and Safety Bylaw, 2014, No. 2057"
Page II of II
9.
SEVERABILITY
9.1
If any portion of this Bylaw is held invalid by a Court of competent jurisdiction. then
the invalid portion must be severed and the remainder of this Bylaw is deemed to have
been adopted without the severed portion.
10.
This Bylaw shall come into full force and effect on its adoption by Council.
II.
"White Rock Fire Departlllelll Establishlllelll and Regulation Bylaw, 1998, No. 1479"
and all amending bylaws pertaining to it are hereby repealed in their entirety.
12.
This Bylaw may be cited as "While Rock Fire Protection and Safety Bylaw,
2014, No. 2057."
RECEIVED FIRST READING on the
31" dayof
March. 2014
RECEIVED SECOND READING on Ihe
31" dayof
March,2014
RECEIVED THIRD READING on the
31
51
day of
March. 2014
RECONSIDERED AND FINALLY ADOPTED on the
141h
day of
April. 2014
MAYOR
CITY CLERK