1. News Releases
  2. FINES GIVEN FOR TAMPERING WITH FIRE SAFETY EQUIPMENT

FINES GIVEN FOR TAMPERING WITH FIRE SAFETY EQUIPMENT

For immediate release: May 11, 2015 - 9:36 am
FR15-108

 


Recent convictions and the resulting fines given to individuals for tampering with fire alarm systems or portable fire extinguishers demonstrate the seriousness of these actions.

The Saskatoon Fire Department has responded to a number of false alarms due to people spitefully activating the fire alarm system or maliciously discharging of fire extinguishers. With the evidence gathered through video surveillance cameras and other investigative methods six charges have been laid in the last two years and more are pending. All of the charges laid have led to convictions. Five individuals have been convicted of either Tampering with a Fire Alarm System or Tampering with a Portable Fire Extinguisher under Section 30 (1) & (2) of The Fire Prevention Act (1992) and fined between $580 and $2,100.

It is against the law to tamper with smoke alarms, to tamper with a fire alarm system, to tamper with or discharge a fire extinguisher, to block or obstruct an exit or to prop open fire separation doors which include suite doors and stairwell doors. The Act allows for a maximum fine of $10,000 for any of these offences.

Falsely pulling a fire alarm system has a number of detrimental effects.

  • Persons who live in buildings where the fire alarm system is pulled maliciously sometimes assume that alarms are false and ignore them. If there is a fire in the building, this puts many more lives unnecessarily at risk.
  • The Saskatoon Fire Department responds to many different types of emergencies not just fires. False alarms cause a diversion of fire department resources, and can hinder our response to a real emergency at another location once again putting lives unnecessarily at risk.

The Saskatoon Fire Department reminds every one of the life safety threats associated with false alarms.

 For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases,  Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.