Fire Code Required Training In Ontario Goes Virtual, receives accreditation

Almost every building Owner in Ontario is required to have a fire safety plan, approved and implemented at their building.  The often overlooked component of a plan is… “implementing” the plan. This is a requirement of the Onmtario Fire Code, requiring that all staff of that building, having assigned roles and responsibilities found within the approved Fire Safety Plan, be trained on “how” to implement the plan. 

The building Manager, and the staff need to understand their own roles and responsibilities in that fire safety plan.  This is actually a fire code requirement of building Owners in Ontario – to ensure that staff are trained - before being given any responsibilities at the building.  

What does this mean. 

It means that Fire inspectors and insurance companies can ask for evidence or proof of this training at anytime – and there are consequences for non compliance.

Trained building staff is essential for both occupant and firefighter safety.  In fact, this was recently referenced in the Raising the Alarm report by the City of Toronto’s Auditor General which highlighted the need for industry recognized training aimed at building owners and staff of commercial / office buildings to assist and support them in understanding their roles and responsibilities under the fire code.  This report highlighted that only 1 in 12 of the “sample” City of Toronto buildings were compliant and further recognized the needs for this type of training in Commercial buildings in Ontario.

This training, required for staff at either commercial or residential buildings, has long been available by Fire Engineers and consultants alike, but now in Ontario, a new, accredited program is now offered both – in person, and online.  The new program enables building owners, property managers, security personnel, superintendents, concierge, building operations teams and tenant fire wardens to complete their mandatory fire safety plan compliance courses online.

In choosing your training provider, it’s important to ensure that your training meets the Ontario Fire Code.  Since early 2020, I’ve been privileged to lead a team in developing Ontario’s first  fire safety training program that meets the mandatory knowledge to ensure both public and private organizations can meet these training requirements, and positively impact occupant and firefighter safety.   

In fact, the new online program is both AODA compliant, and utilizes adult learning principals and engaging interactivity.  The program content was recently accredited to meet the Ontario Fire Code requirements under Section 2.8 and endorsed by the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) Canada Branch, an internationally recognized accrediting body, with membership around the globe.    

What if you don’t “implement” your fire safety plan?   Why is the training mandatory?

Beyond the code requirement, let’s start with the fact that building staff members are “in charge” of the building at 2:00 AM, often protecting hundreds of and at times - thousands of occupants.  Staff need to understand both the systems they are in charge of, and response requirements required of them.  The only way to know this is for staff to be effectively trained, and that training and knowledge transfer be quantified by a test.

How does poorly trained building staff impact firefighter and resident safety? 

Firefighters arriving at your building expect an “implemented” fire safety plan, that allows firefighters to be confident that the life safety systems have been maintained, and are working.  Many of these systems are used by firefighters during fires in your building.  Quite simply, the staff need to be aware of their own, unique roles and responsibilities to maintain those systems. For example, in 1995 a Coroner's inquest into the Forrest Laneway fire that sadly resulted in multiple deaths, the Coroner identified lessons learned and recommended that the building owners (focusing now on Residential) have mandatory training to better understand their accountabilities. Specifically, the Inquest recommended to: "Develop a mandatory, certification training course for building supervisory staff which includes the following subjects:   

Fire & Life Safety Certificate Program

− the use of emergency voice communication systems (EVAC)   

− fire alarms systems   

− sprinkler systems   

− smoke control measures   

− emergency power   

− elevator operations and control   

− fire safety planning   

− maintenance of door closures   

− understanding / scheduling of maintenance as detailed in the Ontario Fire Code   

Since early 2020, I’ve been privileged to lead a team in developing Ontario’s first, accredited training program that meets both the Forrest Laneway Coroners report, and the recommendations made ion the 2019 city of Toronto auditor Generals report.  ,

As a result,  the new online fire safety training program launched by National Life Safety Group (NLSG) is providing the mandatory knowledge to ensure both public and private organizations can meet these training requirements, and positively impact occupant and firefighter safety.   

For more information on this program, please reach out to jason.reid@nationallifesafetygroup.ca