SAFETY ABOVE ALL

Posted by Ted Whitehead on Fri, Oct 17, 2012

One of the most basic things a consumer should expect when renting an apartment is that the building provides a relatively safe place to call home. That includes the landlord and/or property manager ensuring adherence to provincial fire and building codes.

Those whose buildings earn certification through the Certified Rental Building Program (CRBP) pledge to uphold the Standards of Practice outlined by the program, and building safety is an important part of that commitment.

The Federation of Rental-Housing Providers of Ontario (FRPO) launched the CRBP as part of its mandate to advocate for quality rental housing. There are more than 36 different Standards of Practice that a building and Property Manager must clearly be able to demonstrate before they can be entered into the Program. Examples that can affect fire safety include rigorous adherence to regular building cleaning schedules, effective communications with tenants when building repairs are necessary, properly maintained elevators, well-maintained heating and cooling equipment, annual suite inspections and an ongoing education program for staff.

Ontario residents are protected by the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997 (FPPA), which was proclaimed provincial law on October 29, 1997. The Ontario Fire Code is a regulation under the FPPA. Among the many elements addressed in the Code are access to and number of building exits and fire escapes, the safe installation of mechanical, electrical and plumbing infrastructure, elevators, stairwell, fire and smoke alarms, and the like.

Renters who choose a CRBP building have the peace of mind in knowing that J.D. Power and Associates serves as the Auditor for the program. The use of this independent third-party auditor introduces a level of credibility that rental-housing consumers can rely on. Again, all buildings entered into the Program that are subsequently granted “Certified Rental Building” status have successfully demonstrated compliance and adherence with the Standards of Practice.

Remember, too, that fire safety is also the responsibility of individual renters. No program or organization can monitor what goes on inside every apartment, and building owners and property managers should be able to count on their tenants’ vigilance when it comes to avoiding fire mishaps. For example, leaving burning candles unattended is one of the most common causes of house and apartment fires. Smoking carelessly and forgetting about food cooking on the stove are others. Taking care goes beyond tenants protecting themselves, to keeping the building safer for all the residents within, and helping to protect the investment of the building owners – the people who provide a home for the renters.

If you want to learn more about Ontario Fire Code, visit www.ofm.gov.on.ca/english/Legislation/legreg.asp, through which you can access safety pamphlets created specifically for tenants of apartment buildings. And if you are not aware of the fire safety features in your building, ask your property owner/manager.

When you rent in a CRBP building, you know the owner and/or property manager understand and pledge to uphold the legal and moral aspects of operating rental accommodations. This includes fire safety. Visit www.crbprogram.org.

The CRBP is managed and operated by the Federation of Rental Housing Providers of Ontario (FRPO) with the goal of protecting the interests of all multi-residential apartment building stakeholders – and the Code of Conduct plays a major role in accomplishing that goal.

A copy of the Certified Rental Building Program’s Code of Conduct is available by sending an email to info@crbprogram.com