XN000022-1978-03-26 — Page 2

SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 1978

WARNINGS AGA | ST DEFECTIVE FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT

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THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT TODAY CALLED ON BUILDING OWNERS TO HAVE THEIR FIRE SERVICE INSTALLATIONS AND EQUIPMENT PROPERLY LAINTAINED AS REQUIRED UNDER THE LAW.

THE APPEAL FOLLO. FOUTITE SPECTIGS EY FIRE OFFICERS DURING HICH TE INSTALLATIONS AND EQUIPMENT IN A LARGE NUMBER OF BUILDINGS WERE FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE.

+IN CST BUILDINGS, HOSE REELS WERE FOUND WITHOUT NOZZLES, FIRE EXTINGUISHERS EMPTY WITH MANY IN A HIGHLY DETERIORATED STATE AND SPRINKLER SYSTEMS OUT OF ORDER,+ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.

+THE LAW HAS LAID DOWN FIRE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR BUILDINGS TO PROTECT THE OCCUPANTS AND IT IS THE OBLIGATION OF OWNERS TO MAKE SURE THAT SUCH EQUIPMENT WILL ALWAYS FUNCTION,+ HE ADDED.

THE SPOKESHAN WARNED THAT THE DEPARTMENT WOULD TAKE LEGAL ACTION AGAINST THOSE WHO FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REGULATIONS.

UNDER THE FIRE SERVICE (INSTALLATIONS AND EQUIPMENT) REGULATIONS, THE OWNERS CF ANY FIRE SERVICE INSTALLATION OR EQUIPMENT WHICH IS INSTALLED IN ANY PREMISES MUST KEEP SUCH INSTALLATION OR EQUIPMENT IN SFFECIENT WORKING ORDER AT ALL TIMES.

THEY ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO HAVE IT INSPECTED BY A REGISTERED FIRE SERVICE CONTRACTOR AT LEAST ONCE? YEAR.

+1F ANYONE IS IN DOUBT, HE SAID, WE SUGGEST THEY CONSULT A REGISTERED FIRE SERVICE INSTALLATION CONTRACTOR, A LIST OF WHICH CAN BE AVAILABLE AT NO COST AT THE FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU, ANY FIRE STATION OR CITY DISTRICT OFFICE.+

THE SPOKESMAN ALSO ADVISED REGISTERED FIRE SERVICE INSTALLATION CONTRACTORS TO FORWARD A COPY OF CERTIFICATE TO THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES WITHIN 14 DAYS AFTER THE COMPLETION OF PAINTENANCE TO THE INSTALLATION AND EQUIPMENT OF A BUILDING.

UNDER THE LAW, ANY CONTRACTOR WHO FAILS TO DO SO OR ISSUES OR FORWARDS A CERTIFICATE WHICH 13 FALSE OR MISLEADING SHALL EE LIABLE ON CONVICTION TO A FINE OF $2,000 AND TO SIX MONTHS'

IMPRISONMENT.

+IN ADDITION, DISCIPLINARY ACTION COULD ALSO BE TAKEN UNDER THE FIRE SERVICE (INSTALLATION CONTRACTORS) REGULATIONS

AND THE HEAVIEST PENALTY, WHICH COULD BE POSED, IS TO DE-REGISTER THE CONTRACTOR, HE ADDED

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