Emergency Management in Apartments; A focus on Toronto

Emergency management in rental buildings in Toronto is crucial for safeguarding residents' safety and well-being. These buildings accommodate diverse communities with unique needs, necessitating thorough emergency preparedness measures.

In the City of Toronto, rental buildings are required to have Vital Service Disruption Plans under Chapter 354 of the Toronto Municipal Code. This regulation was reinforced following a significant incident at 260 Wellesley Street E., where a critical system failure caused prolonged service disruptions for nearly 1,000 tenants during winter. The RentSafe TO program mandates building owners and operators to develop and maintain these plans, ensuring they are readily available for immediate implementation during emergencies.

Key requirements include:

• Owners must develop and maintain Vital Service Disruption Plans, which outline protocols for managing critical system failures.

• The executive director of municipal licensing and standards collaborates with the Office of Emergency Management to establish standards and minimum requirements for these plans.

• Building owners are obligated to cooperate with the City of Toronto during unplanned service disruptions, providing necessary communication, assistance, and support to occupants.

• Considerations shall be identified for persons requiring special assistance.

• Non-compliance can result in severe penalties, including fines up to $100,000 upon conviction, highlighting the importance of adherence to these regulations.

By prioritizing emergency management, rental building stakeholders fulfill their duty of care to residents and contribute to the resilience of Toronto's urban communities. For building owners seeking guidance and support in implementing these requirements, National Life Safety Group offers expertise and assistance. Learn more about how we can help at www.nationallifesafetygroup.ca.