Q1: What is the Fire Code?
A1: Find this information by clicking on this link:
A "Road Map" to the Fire Code.
Q2: Am I a hotel?
A2: The term “hotel” is defined in the Fire Code as floor areas,
a floor area or part of a floor area containing four (4) or more suites that provide sleeping accommodation for the travelling public or for recreational purposes.
Your establishment may
go by any number of names such as motel, resort, bed & and breakfast, spa,
guest house, etc. – but if the above definition applies, your establishment is
also a hotel.
If your establishment has no more than three (3) suites, you are not a hotel by
definition. However, other requirements in the Fire Code may still apply.
Q3: I meet the definition of “hotel”. Does the Fire Code apply to me?
A3: Yes it does. Parts 1 through 8 apply as of January
1, 2007. Section 9.9 Hotels contains mandatory retrofit requirements for
existing hotels which will be phased in over a 5-year implementation period from
January 1, 2007. For details see questions 4 and 5 below.
Q4: Does Retrofit Section 9.9 Hotels apply to my
establishment?
A4: With some exceptions,
Section 9.9 Hotels applies to all existing hotel establishments. The term "hotel
establishment" is defined in the Fire Code as a building containing
a “hotel” and all subsidiary occupancies that are operated in connection with
the hotel. This includes connected or adjacent buildings that are operated in
connection with the hotel.
Section 9.9 Hotels does not apply to certain tourist
establishments, such as apartment hotels, bed and breakfast operations and
one-storey hotels with a building area not exceeding 300 m2.
These buildings are regulated by other residential sections of Part 9 Retrofit.
For details of these and other exemptions, read Article 9.1.2.2. and the
application statements in Article 9.9.1.1. very carefully. For example, while
these buildings are exempt from Section 9.9 Hotels of the Fire Code, they are
still required to install smoke alarms in guest suites.
Q5: How much time will I have to comply with Section 9.9 Hotels?
A5: Section 9.9 Hotels has a phased compliance
schedule with many items (those carried over from the old hotel regulations)
coming into force right away, on January 1, 2007, and other items that come into
force on specific dates over a 5-year compliance period up to January 1, 2012.
For details, refer to Article 9.1.3.1. of the Fire Code and to the
Compliance Schedule section on this site.
Q6: How will I know where to look for various requirements in the Fire Code that
might be applicable to my hotel establishment?
A6: The following
link will assist you in finding
your way through the
Fire Code.
Q7: What happens if my property is not in compliance with the
Fire Code?
A7: It is important that hotel owners/operators
familiarize themselves with their obligations under the Fire Code. Failure to
comply with the Fire Code can result in prosecution and significant penalties
for each offence. These include:
$100,000 maximum fine for corporations;
$50,000 maximum fine or imprisonment up to one year, or both for a director or officer of a corporation;
$50,000 maximum fine or imprisonment up to one year, or both for individuals.
Questions or concerns about compliance with the Fire Code can be directed to the municipal fire department.
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