In March 2003, the Fire Commissioner issued orders pursuant to Section 13.1 (b) of the Fire Prevention Act, to 81 non-sprinklered personal care homes in the province. The order clearly indicated a requirement to install an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with the National Fire Protection Association within 24 months, and also that the installation of the system comply with the fire alarm requirements of the National Building Code of Canada. Since the original Order, 58 personal care homes have complied, and one has closed.

"We are taking the necessary actions for the health and safety of residents, and to ensure that in the event of a fire that every fire safety measure has been taken to protect and give residents the best chance for survival," said the Honourable Dave Denine, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Minister Responsible for Fire and Emergency Services-Newfoundland and Labrador. "Many individuals in these homes would require assistance to escape a fire situation, and we have a responsibility to uphold the law and ensure that personal care homes comply with the requirements to sprinkler their facilities."

In Budget 2005, the Department of Health and Community Services allocated $4 million to assist owners of personal care homes with the installation of sprinkler systems as per the Order of the Fire Commissioner. Funding was in the form of a one-time grant to cover 75 per cent of the cost to a maximum of $75,000. Funding remains available for those homes which have not yet installed sprinkler systems.

"It was recognized at the time of the order that the initial timeline for all personal care homes to comply required some leniency," added Minister Denine. "Reasonable timelines have been exhausted, and we have made significant efforts to work with owners of the non-sprinklered personal care homes to address the identified deficiency which is a matter of personal life and safety to the residents of these homes.

"There is still an opportunity for owners of non-compliant homes to stop closure should they provide a signed contract from a sprinkler system installer indicating a start date and plan for installation. A grace period will be granted to those homeowners who communicate a plan and provide the written documentation to the Fire Commissioner prior to the date of closure indicated for that particular personal care home."

The 22 personal care homes identified for closure are home to approximately 290 individuals who will require relocation to another home. The Department of Health and Community Services has begun work with the regional health authorities to initiate a plan with the residents, families, and home owners to ensure a smooth transition to alternate care arrangements.

The personal care homes noted below have received information concerning the Order of Closure, with closures slated for the week of March 10-14, 2008.

"Although we are sensitive to the disruption this will cause for residents and families, this is the right thing to do to protect resident safety," added Minister Denine.

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Media contact:
Heather MacLean
Director of Communications
Department of Municipal Affairs
709-729-1983, 690-2498
heathermaclean@gov.nl.ca

In March 2003, the Fire Commissioner issued orders, pursuant to Section 13.1(b) of the Fire Prevention Act, to 81 un-sprinkled personal care homes in Newfoundland and Labrador to install an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with the National Fire Protection Association within 24 months and also that the installation of the system comply with the fire alarm requirements of the National Building Code of Canada.

In February 2005, the Fire Commissioner wrote those personal care home owners that had not yet complied reminding them of the two-year requirement.

In Budget 2005, the Department of Health and Community Services allocated $4 million to assist homeowners with the installation of sprinkler systems. The funding was in the form of a one-time grant to cover 75 per cent of the cost up to a maximum of $75,000.

On June 12, 2006, upon notification from HCS that certain facilities had not yet commenced installation, the Fire Commissioner wrote the non-compliant homeowners to request status on the progress of the installation of the sprinkler system in these facilities and to inform them that action would be initiated to close the facility should the Order be ignored.

On March 20, 2007, the Fire Commissioner again wrote to advise those 46 non-compliant personal care homes that steps would be taken to close their personal care home if they did not indicate their intention to comply with the order and provide the timeline required to complete the sprinkler system installation.

As of February 14, 2008, 58 personal care homes have complied with the March 2003 order, and one personal care home has closed. There are currently 22 personal care homes not in compliance.

There are approximately 290 persons in the 22 non-compliant personal care homes who will require relocation to another home. There are adequate spaces in the personal care home system that could accommodate those affected individuals.

There are a total of 121 personal care homes in the province.

2008 02 14                                                 11:45 a.m.