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Fire and Life Safety Inspections

^{Landlords  /  Tenants}

Inspections are conducted by the Fire Prevention and Investigation Division on a regular basis.  Certain properties or occupancies are inspected on a more frequent basis than others.  If you require a fire and life safety inspection, please contact the Fire Prevention Division for information.

The Prevention and Investigation Division follow the requirements as set out in the following:

National Building Code (NBC), National Fire Code (NFC), Relevant NFPA Standards, Provincial regulations and requirements, and the New Brunswick Fire Prevention Act and its associated regulations.

Landlords Fire Safety and Maintenance Checklist

The following list contains the major fire safety requirements for life safety systems and exiting for your building:

• Exit lights and emergency lighting shall be tested monthly.  Bulbs and batteries replaced as required.
• Fire alarm systems shall be inspected and tested yearly and records kept.
• Automatic sprinkler systems shall be inspected and tested quarterly.
• Fire extinguishers shall be serviced annually and records maintained.
• All doors to stairwells, service rooms, etc., shall be kept closed and latched at all times.  Monthly checks are required to ensure proper latching and door operation.
• All exits and exit paths shall be kept clear.  Snow must be cleared from any external exits, and fire escapes must be kept clear of ice and snow.
• Occupant loads as posted shall be strictly complied with at all times.  
• If renovations / additions or other work is done, plans are required to be submitted to the Office of the Fire Marshal.  Check with them prior to performing any work.
• Fire drills shall be conducted yearly and records kept, in conformance with the fire safety plan.  The fire safety plan is required to be reviewed annually, and any changes made included in staff / occupant education.

Non-compliance of any of the above items may result in a life safety risk for the occupants and could result in legal action.   Negligence that leads to or contributes to a fire can lead to "criminal" charges and ignorance of the law is no defence.  If you have any questions, please contact your local Fire Department.

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Tenants

You should be aware of the fire and life safety systems in your building.  Not all buildings are required to have fire alarm or sprinkler systems.  Please keep in mind that not all fire alarm systems are required to be "monitored" (ring in to an answering service or the Fire Department), if  you smell or see smoke sound the alarm, evacuate, and call 911. 

Even  though your building may not have a fire alarm system, the law requires smoke alarms to be installed in every dwelling unit.  It is an offence to tamper with any fire alarm system, this includes the smoke alarms within an apartment.  If you have a problem with the smoke alarm in your apartment, you should contact the building superintendant or owner.

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