If you’re unsure if your business or property is fire code-compliant, the Ponoka County Regional Fire Department can help. The department is now certified for fire inspections, free of charge.
Ponoka County regional fire chief and director of emergency services Dennis Jones spoke to the Ponoka and District Chamber of Commerce members during their monthly lunch meeting June 18.
Some general things an inspection may look for includes things like combustibles near heat sources such as utility rooms or that approved smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are present on each level and in working order.
Currently, the county fire services will come out to do a fire inspection based on request, complaints or concerns. This means a business or facility may request the department to come out, or they may come to do an inspection after receiving a complaint or if there is a particular concern.
The fire department receives a lot of requests for inspections from buildings with high-risk occupancy (such as children or seniors) in retirement communities, schools and day cares.
Jones says the goal is to work with businesses and organizations to help them become compliant with fire safety codes and to educate rather than penalize.
However, in the case that the building owners aren’t cooperating, fines may be issued.
“By law, we have to have it fixed, so we will make sure it happens,” said Jones.
“We want you safe, we want your employees safe, we want your customers safe.”