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City of Hamilton – Emergency Services

Fire Prevention




TEST YOUR SMOKE ALARMS 

Complacency and the thought that a fire "will not happen to me" is not acceptable. Many people don't think that a fire "will ever happen to them" however each year citizens continue to be injured or killed and millions of dollars in damage are incurred as the result of fires. Most fire related injuries and deaths occur in the home, a place where most of us feel the safest.

Hamilton Emergency Services urge each and every citizen to immediately test their smoke alarms. If you don't have smoke alarms in your home, put on your coat, go out and purchase enough smoke alarms so that you have one installed on every floor level of your home. When you return home, install them in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. If the battery in your smoke alarm is dead, replace the battery and test the smoke alarm to ensure it's working.

 

DISPOSAL OF OLD SMOKE ALARMS

Hamilton Emergency Services recommend that you replace your smoke alarms every 10 years. Smoke alarms are not recyclable and are not defined as a hazardous waste under the Ontario Ministry of Environment regulations and can, for that reason, be placed in your regular garbage for collection.

 

 

 

NOTICE TO BUILDING OWNERS
Regarding Ontario Fire Code Sentence 9.5.3.7. (2)

Section 9.5 of the Ontario Fire Code (Buildings Up To and Including 6 Storeys in Height and Containing Residential Occupancies) now contains a requirement for the protection of openings (doors and windows) that open onto a fire escape. For more information on this requirement, please view the attached notice and drawing.

     

Fire Safety Pamphlets and Information

 

After the Fire - "A Guide to Recovery"

Apartment Fire Safety

Arson; What can you do to protect your home or business?

Candle Fire Safety
City of Hamilton - Open Air Burning Regulations
Electrical Safety In and Around the Home

Home Fire Safety

Farm Fire Safety: Spread the Word (OFM Document)

Fire Prevention on the Farm (OFM Document)

Fireworks Safety
Fire Safety for Persons with Alzheimer Disease 
Fire Safety Information for Students Living in Off - Campus Housing 
Fire Safety Information for Owners of Off - Campus Housing 
Fire Safety When You Experience An Electrical or Gas Disruption
Flammable and Combustible Liquids - Code Information
Kitchen Fire Safety
Mobile Home Fire Safety
Open Air Burning Regulations For Farms

Power Failure Fire Safety Tips

Qualifications and Responsibilities of Persons Performing Work on Interconnected Smoke Alarm Systems

Smoke Alarms & Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Smoking Safety
What You Need To Know About Fire Extinguishers
Translated Fire Safety Pamphlets
Fire Safety at Home 
Important Fire Safety Tips for All New Canadians

All citizens of Hamilton are entitled to the security and protection offered from basic fire safety information. Language barriers should not be a deterrent to learning about fire safety. With the assistance of SISO (Settlement & Integration Services Organization) our Fire Safety at Home pamphlet has been translated into 10 different languages.

Fire Safety at Home - English
Fire Safety at Home - Arabic
Fire Safety at Home - Chinese
Fire Safety at Home - Dari
Fire Safety at Home - French
Fire Safety at Home - Karen
Fire Safety at Home - Punjabi
Fire Safety at Home - Somali
Fire Safety at Home - Spanish
Fire Safety at Home - Urdu
Fire Safety at Home - Vietnamese

 

Fire Prevention Resources and Links


Fee's for Services

Fire Safety Video's
(Fire Marshal's Public Fire Safety Council and Smart Risk)
 

Divisional Information


This Division is comprised of 24 uniformed personnel including the Chief Fire Prevention Officer, Assistant Chief Fire Prevention Officer, 6 Fire Safety Officers and 16 Inspectors who are assisted by two civilian secretarial support staff. This dedicated team of Fire Safety Officers and Fire Inspectors is responsible for the inspection of all buildings in the City to ensure compliance with fire safety legislation and for the promotion of fire-safe practices for the community. Other key, "behind the scene," responsibilities include:

  • Enforcement of the Ontario Fire Code and the Fire Protection and Prevention Act

  • Enforcement of various Municipal By-laws 

  • Inspections related to licensing of premises for liquor licenses, municipal business licenses and provincially licensed operations (day care facilities and group homes)

  • MATF (multi-agency task force) inspections 

  • Inspections of specialized occupancies (high-rise, industry, hospitals, schools, lodging homes, etc.)

  • Investigation and resolution of inquiries from citizens, elected officials, other city and regional departments

  • Coordination of the commercial inspection program

  • Coordination of public education programs

  • Juvenile Fire Setters education program

  • Elementary school fire safety education program

  • Retrofit buildings plan examination and approval

  • Records management for fire calls and statistical data

  • Fire safety plan review and approval