HomeMy WebLinkAboutESD-013-07
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REPORT
EMERGENCY AND FIRE SERVICES
Meeting:
GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
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Date:
October 1, 2007.
Report #: ESD-O 13-07
File #
10.12.6
By-law #
Subject:
OCCUPANCY LOAD - COUNCIL CHAMBERS
Recommendations:
It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee
recommend to Council the following:
I. THAT Report ESD-013-07 be received for information.
Sobm""'" by J1.J", 0 ~
G(jrdon Weir, AMCT, CMMlll
Director of Emergency & Fire Services
Reviewed by: (] {La....-4.-k.' ~~
Franklin Wu,
Chief Administrative Officer
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CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON
40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L lC 3A6 T(905)623-3379 F (905)623-6506
REPORT NO.: ESD-013-07
PAGE 2
BACKGROUND
The occupancy load for assembly occupancy is calculated through Part 2 Building and Occupant
Fire Safety of the Fire Code. This Part provides for the safety of the occupants in buildings,
through the elimination or control of fire hazards. Section 2.7 ofthe Fire Code speaks
specifically to Safety To Life and recites the formula required to determine the Occupancy Load
for the Council Chambers. Violation of the Fire Code can result in fines up to $100,000.
Recently, the Chief Building Official and Fire Prevention Officer re-measured and confirmed
that as posted the Council Chambers may accommodate a maximum occupancy load of 136
persons.
There are exactly 136 seats in the Council Chambers:
. 64 Fixed seats (Upper Gallery)
. 48 Non - fixed seats (Main level of Chambers behind the railing)
. 24 -Mayor/Council/Staff. (The Fire Code requires that the exits and means of egress not
be blocked.)
PURPOSE
In some recent past Council meetings, attendees were forced to stand indicating we were over
capacity and hence in contravention of Section 2.7 (Safety to Life) of the Fire Code by allowing
occupancy of the Council Chambers to exceed the posted limit. An additional concern is the fact
that exits and means of egress were congested which is a contravention of the Fire Code.
As Fire Chief it is my responsibility to address the above noted concerns and enforce the Fire
Code.
COMMENTS
To enforce the Fire Code, specifically s. 2.7 (Safety to life) the following protocol will be
explored:
. Post on the web site, Page two (2)of local newspaper and include on all notices that go
out that Council Chambers is limited to the first 112 members of the public;
. Post additional signs in the Council Chambers advising of the maximum occupancy limit;
. Have individuals available to assist with seating. This may have budget implications;
. Investigate the possibility of having Meeting Rooms IA & 1 C set up to watch from the
television to allow an area for the overflow. This may have a budget impact;
. When it is anticipated that there will be a large turnout to meetings, change the location
to a larger venue to accommodate all occupants;
. On the scheduled meeting date, if occupancy becomes a problem, cancel the meeting and
reschedule at a larger venue.
REPORT NO.: ESD-013-07
PAGE 3
CONCLUSION
It is commendable that residents of the Municipality of Clarington show their commitment to
Municipal governance and Municipal issues by attending Council meetings. As a Corporation it
is our responsibility to ensure that we provide a safe forum in which our residents may attend or
participate in Municipal public meetings. The Municipality must adhere to all relevant sections
of the Fire Code and it is my responsibility as Fire Chief to ensW"e that they are enforced. The
Council Chambers has a posted occupancy limit of a maximum of 136 persons. Therefore this
limit must not be exceeded. If the occupancy limit is exceeded the Municipality ofClarington
can be fined up to $100,000. There are additional liability issues under prevailing Health and
Safety and related legislation.