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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE New Ad Campaign Calls for Public Hearings on Residential Fire Sprinklers Despite Pressure from Developers to Squash Proposed Bill TORONTO, ON, May 30, 2006 – In a full page ad in a national newspaper, the Fire Sprinkler Alliance for Everyone (Fire SAFE Ontario) today calls for Queen's Park to hold public hearings on Bill 2, a private member's bill calling for legislation mandating the installation of residential fire sprinkler systems in all new houses, apartments and condominiums. Led by Alan Speed, the City of Toronto's former Fire Chief, Fire SAFE Ontario is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to educating, promoting and advancing residential fire sprinkler systems in Ontario. "In more than 35 years as a professional firefighter, I have seen too many tragedies that could have been prevented by residential fire sprinkler systems," says Al Speed, the City of Toronto's former Fire Chief. "The Ontario Building Code already requires fire sprinklers in places where we work, shop, dine and learn and now it's time to make people safe where they live and sleep." "Despite opposition from the powerful development industry, Bill 2 is supported almost unanimously by fire safety professionals including the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs and the Municipal Fire Prevention Officers of Ontario, the insurance industry, unions and municipalities large and small," says Linda Jeffrey, MPP (Brampton Centre), who introduced Bill 2, The Home Fire Sprinkler Act, in 2005. "It's time to hold hearings and let the public have its say on this important piece of legislation before groups with financial rather than safety motivations derail our efforts to bring a critical level of fire safety to Ontarians." "Fires kill nearly 100 people in our province each year and injure many more, the overwhelming number at home," says Chief Speed. "It's time for Ontario to take the next step in fire safety. We can reduce the number of lives lost and save our health care and economy millions of dollars by adopting a simple piece of legislation. Public opinion research shows that home safety is a high priority for Ontarians and holding public hearings will allow people a chance to participate in this discussion." More than 220 North American jurisdictions have passed similar legislation, including Vancouver that has required residential fire sprinklers for over 15 years. During this time there has not been a single accidental fire-related fatality where a properly installed and functioning residential fire sprinkler was present. Residential Fire Sprinkler System Facts Sprinklers respond independently to each other so only the sprinkler closest to the fire will activate. Ninety per cent of fires are contained by the operation of just one sprinkler and the likelihood of a sprinkler system malfunction is one in 16 million. The average insurance claim in a home fire where there is a sprinkler is $1,000 and it is $15,000 when there is no sprinkler system. Residential fire sprinkler systems cost one to one and a half per cent of the total building cost of new construction (the amount homeowners can save with the one per cent reduction of the GST) and save on homeowner insurance. Fire SAFE Ontario The Fire Sprinkler Alliance for Everyone (Fire SAFE Ontario) was created as a not-for-profit organization to educate, promote and advance residential fire sprinkler systems in Ontario. Fire SAFE Ontario is committed to passing legislation requiring fire sprinkler installation in all new residential, apartment and condominium construction in Ontario. -30- For additional information, please contact: Ann Gallery |
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