WHEREAS fire kills eight individuals in Canada every week, residential property fires account for 40 of all fires, and 73 of all fire deaths occur in residential properties; AND WHEREAS automatic fire sprinkler technology exists, which is proven to be effective, reliable and affordable approximately 94 cents per square foot for residential construction, that will virtually eliminate fire deaths in residential properties thereby enhancing the safety of first responders including firefighters, paramedics, police and the public: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM request that the British Columbia provincial government enact legislation to require automatic fire sprinklers be installed in every new occupancy where individuals will sleep through its 2015 BC Building Code.
Ministry of Natural Gas Development Minister Responsible for Housing Sprinklers are one of many factors that contribute to providing fire safety in a building. Fire protection systems in a building could also include any or all of the following: -Smoke and fire alarms; -Non-combustible materials for walls and floors; -Proper storage of waste materials; and -Proper fire safety evacuation plan. The BC Building Code sets the minimum standard for new construction and is based on the model National Building Code of Canada which is updated on a five year cycle. Suggested changes to the minimum acceptable level of fire protection are most appropriately submitted to the National Research Council, Canadian Codes Centre. Each proposal is given consideration by a national expert technical committee for inclusion within the National Building Code.