Cranbrook, BC – A new Cranbrook Fire Services bylaw is now in place after being adopted by Council Monday April 26, 2010.  The Fire Services Bylaw 3676 repeals three previous bylaws – the Fire department bylaw; the Outdoor Burning bylaw and the Fireworks bylaw – to ensure that current fire service and community fire safety needs are met.  The new bylaw also ensures Cranbrook Fire and Emergency Services is able to manage future community growth and meet upcoming provincial regulatory change.

The Cranbrook Fire Services bylaw also puts into place the BC Fire Services Act and Fire Code regulations.   The bylaw sets out specific regulations and requirements concerning the conduct of residents, fire prevention regulations, the inspection of homes and businesses and fire hydrants, include all private hydrant systems.

Fire services bylaw 3676-2010  - Click Here

The following is a summary review of the changes and significant additions to the Bylaw:

Residential

Accumulation of combustible material in any building, yard, vacant lot, carport, garage or open space is not allowed.
Regulation of residential indoor burning prohibits burning of residential waste and limits burning materials to ONLY seasoned fire wood or clear construction material.
Requires all homes and other places of residence to have their address clearly marked.
A minimum required clearance around fire hydrants.
Provision for cost recovery - Wherever the Bylaw imposes the requirement on a person that something be done, Council may by resolution direct the person to take action.  If the person does not take action, City staff may do the work at the expense to the person and recover those costs.

Businesses/Public Spaces & Buildings

For the purposes of prevention, control and enforcement the Director of Fire & Emergency Services or other member is authorized to enter and inspect premises for conditions that may cause fire or increase the danger of fire.  The Director may immediately take action to eliminate the danger and may evacuate and close a hotel or public building.  Further, if an emergency arises from a fire hazard or risk of explosion and causes the Director to be apprehensive of imminent or serious danger to life or property he may take steps he thinks advisable to remove the hazards, which may include evacuation of a building or area.
Vacant Buildings – every owner of an abandoned or unoccupied premise is required to ensure the premises is made and kept secure against an unauthorized entry.
Provision to regulate the size, location and construction of commercial or communal garbage containers.
Monitoring and transmission of signals to Fire & Emergency Services will be required in all buildings containing fire alarm systems.
Requirement for an owner to provide alternative fire protection measures in event of interruption of fire protection systems.
Requirement to maintain exit paths in open floor storage areas in buildings.
Materials stored indoors and outdoors are not to create a fire hazard nor create an obstacle or obstruction for fire fighting.
Requires all businesses and other workplaces to have their address clearly visible.
A minimum required clearance around fire hydrants.
Enforcement options which include City of Cranbrook Municipal Ticketing Information, charges under the Offence Act and options available in the capacity of a Local Assistant of the Fire Commissioner.
Provision for cost recovery - Wherever the Bylaw imposes the requirement on a person that something be done, Council may by resolution direct the person to take action.  If the person does not take action, City staff may fulfill the requirement at the expense to the person and recover the costs incurred from that person as a debt.

Outdoor Burning

With the exception of barbeques, cooking fires and campfires, open air burning is no longer allowed unless residents are in possession of an authorized burning permit.  Effective immediately, burning permits are only issued for burning of land clearing debris and for Fire & Emergency Services burning to eliminate fire hazards or any fire training exercises.  Land clearing debris permits will only be issued between November 1 and April 30 of each year.  Any burning of yard and/or garden waste is no longer permitted.

Fireworks

The new bylaw prohibits the sale, possession or setting off of any fireworks without a permit.   Fireworks permits are only available for large display fireworks shows co-ordinated by professionals for special event displays, like Canada Day or specialty pyrotechnics displays for concerts at the Rec Plex.