Smoke alarms now a must in B.C.
This article was written by Kevin Diakiw of the Surrey-North Delta Leader, and was published on April 29, 2010.
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Surrey Fire Chief Len Garis |
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Surrey Fire Chief Len Garis says free battery-operated smoke alarms are available for those who need them. It is now provincial law that everyone must have a functional smoke alarm in their home. The new fire code legislation takes effect May 1, and requires the devices be present in every private home, hotel and motel.
Surrey Fire Chief Len Garis is pleased to see the legislation come forward, noting that previously, homes built before 1979 didn't legally require smoke alarms.
An ambitious study released last year shows lack of smoke alarms is a huge problem in this city. The report, titled Residential Fires in Surrey B.C. 1988 to 2007, was written by Amanda McCormick, with the University of the Fraser Valley. (Read the full report online here.)
The 86-page report focused on 3,594 fires that occurred over the last two decades, almost 90 per cent of which were in residential buildings. The study also found homeowners are failing to take recommended action by installing smoke alarms, which are identified as a primary way of preventing casualties.
About two-thirds of homes which caught fire had smoke alarms installed, but half of them were not functional.
The new law also requires that smoke alarms be maintained in proper working order.
"It's the property owners' responsibility to do so," Garis said Tuesday. "If you could do one thing for me, test your smoke alarm. And if it doesn't work, replace it. And if you don't have the means, give us a call and we'll replace it for free. It just doesn't get any better."
The Surrey Fire Service recommends the following practices:
- Replace the batteries in your smoke alarm twice a year or as soon as the alarm “chirp” warning indicates the battery is low.
- Never borrow a battery from a smoke alarm. Smoke alarms can’t warn you of fire if the batteries are missing or have been disconnected.
- Don’t disable smoke alarms. If your smoke alarm is sounding nuisance alarms, try relocating it farther from kitchens or bathrooms, where cooking fumes and steam can cause the alarm to sound.
- Regularly vacuum or dust your smoke alarms.
- Replace them every 10 years.
- Consider installing smoke alarms with long life (10-year) batteries.
- Plan regular fire drills to ensure that everyone knows exactly what to do when the smoke alarm sounds. Hold a drill at night to make sure that sleeping family members awaken at the sound of the alarm. Some studies have shown that some children may not awaken at the sound of the smoke alarm.
- Invite the Surrey Fire Service to conduct a home safety inspection of your residence. As part of the HomeSafe Program the Surrey Fire Service will do a non-code compliant fire safety check of your home. If there is a no smoke alarm present this program will provide and install a free battery-operated smoke alarm.
For more information on the new fire code smoke alarm regulation and the HomeSafe Program, contact the Surrey Fire Service Prevention Branch at 604-543-6780.
