The Service de sécurité incendie de Montréal (SIM for short), in partnership with the Régie du bâtiment, has worked to amend the By-law Concerning the Service de sécurité incendie de Montréal and the By-law Concerning Fire Safety.
The by-law amendments complete the construction requirements to ensure people’s safety throughout the building’s useful life. It requires maintenance on building for the safety of occupants or people nearby.
The adoption of these amending by-laws will enable the SIM to pursue its mission in full equity for all of Montréal’s residents by fulfilling the prevention commitments in its fire safety risk cover plan.
The amendments to these by-laws affect nearly 85% of the population of the Montréal agglomeration.
Here are the main changes:
1. Construction or conversion of buildings
Building owners must ensure that the building is compliant with applicable standards according to the year the building was built or converted. The purposes of these standards are the safety, health or protection of buildings against fire and structural damages.
2. More restrictive provisions for certain types of buildings
Under the new by-laws, private residences for seniors, residential buildings, care facilities and supervised residences are subject to more restrictive standards than the standards in effect when a building is built or converted.
3. Fire alarm systems, standpipe systems, sprinklers and means of evacuation
Fire alarm systems, standpipe systems and sprinkler systems must be compliant with all existing regulations when the building is built or converted or, if applicable, to the more restrictive provisions that apply to certain buildings.
If your building was built or converted before November 7, 2000, you may need to upgrade the existing alarm and detection system to be compliant with the National Building Code (CNB 1995 mod. Québec).
4. Smoke detectors
Smoke detectors must be compliant with the standards that apply when the building is built or, if applicable, to more restrictive provision for certain types of buildings (see point 2). For more information, see articles 18 to 21 of the By-law Concerning the Service de Sécurité Incendie de Montréal RCG 12-003. faire un lien vers la codification administrative du RCG 12-003.
5. Carbon monoxide detectors
You must install a carbon monoxide detector if your facility has a combustion device (among others, a gas stove or fireplace) or if there is direct access between the building and an interior parking garage. Choose a CAN/CSA-6.19-compliant device with an integrated alarm, and be sure you install it according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
To see all of the changes to the By-law concerning the Service de sécurité incendie de Montréal and the by-law concerning the fire prevention.
