Fire Inspection and Enforcement

Fire Status is set at MODERATE

Burning during the day is allowed with a burn permit only.

The Minden Hills Fire Department responds to requests or complaints about fire safety by citizens that provide their concerns to us. The fire department's fire prevention officers can only enforce violations found under the Ontario Fire Code and any fire safety issues posing immediate threats to life.

These violations include items such as fireworks, maintenance of fire safety systems, smoke alarms, blocked exits, breaches in fire separations or missing fire separations, missing or broken fire doors, severe electrical problems, improperly used or stored flammable liquids or gases, unsafe accumulation of combustible materials etc.

Issues with the building upkeep, repairs or disrepair such as broken windows, appliances or services (water, gas, etc.) that don't work, leaking roofs etc., will not be addressed through the Minden Hills Fire Department, these are issue to discuss with your landlord.

If in doubt, please contact us for clarification.

Filing a Complaint

When filing your complaint, consider and provide the following:

Provide the address of the complaint and any contact information you may have for the owner. While we may have access to records for the owners' mailing address, it does not provide phone numbers or other contact information.
While we do accept anonymous complaints, it is helpful when you provide your contact information. Our Inspectors may need to contact you for more specific information or for access into the building.
If you have a concern about the building that you are living in, please contact us right away. Do not wait until landlord/tenant issues arise. Your safety is our main concern.
We will not be able to provide you with a letter or copy of the inspection order issued to the owner or investigation information. This information can only be shared with the registered owner of the property.
If you have issues with the building such as broken windows, appliances or services (water, gas, etc.) that don't work, leaking roofs etc., those items will not be addressed through the Minden Hills Fire Department, those are issue to discuss with the person in care and control f the property.
As Assistants to the Fire Marshal of Ontario, Fire Inspectors have the right of entry at any reasonable time without warrant for the purpose of inspection. We are not bound by the Landlord Tenant Act requirement of advance notice to enter. While we may make every effort to provide notice, it may not always be possible.
In most cases, the property owner will be given a reasonable amount of time to comply with any orders. Any issues that affect immediate life safety will need to be addressed immediately (i.e. lack of working smoke alarms, fire alarm or sprinkler systems not functioning, exits blocked, flammable or combustible materials stored that are a fire hazard, etc.)

Rental Units

Intentionally disabling a smoke alarm is an offence under the Fire Protection and Prevention Act. The property owner may have signed documentation from you that a working smoke alarm was installed when you moved into the home. If the smoke alarm has been disabled or intentionally damaged, you may be held accountable.

File Search and Property Inspection Requests

The Minden Hills Fire Department provides a file search for any outstanding Ontario Fire Code violations against a property. To request a file search we require written authorization from the current owner giving us permission to conduct the search.

An inspection of a property for Ontario Fire Code violations can be requested by contacting the Fire Department.

View our User Fees page for a comprehensive list of fees and charges for Fire Services.

Private Roads

Fire Department Access

Private roads must be maintained and accessible to the fire department at all times. This means that the roads must be capable of allowing the fire department apparatus to travel freely down the road, this includes, bridges, gates, culverts and turnarounds.

The Fire Protection and Prevention Act (FPPA) allows a municipality to designating private roads as fire routes along which no parking of vehicles shall be permitted and providing for the removal and impounding of any vehicle parked or left along any of the fire routes at the expense of the owner of the vehicle.

Private Road means any private road, lane, ramp or other means of vehicular access to or from a building or structure and may include part of a parking lot.

Private roads are owned and maintained by one or more land owner and used to access private property. Roads owned by a municipality are referred to as municipally maintained roads, or public roads. Public roads are maintained to a required standard and are used by the public at large. Private roads are maintained at the standard that is feasible for the owner or owners who live on that road.

All road work and maintenance is the responsibility of the private road owners. Unlike public roads that are cared for by the municipality through taxes, private roads are maintained at the expense of the residents or group of residents who live on and use that road.

If you are the owner of a property on a private road it is your (and other property owners on that same private road) responsibility to ensure that it is maintained and clear of obstruction.

The Road Access Act

A person cannot block a common road to one or more properties or to boat docking facilities not owned by that person. Visit The Road Access Act for more information.

The Ontario Fire Code and Fire Department Access

All owners of any private road are responsible for ensuring the intent of the Ontario Fire Code is met.

Maintaining access free of obstructions

2.5.1.2. (1) Fire access routes and access panels or windows provided to facilitate access for firefighting operations shall not be obstructed by vehicles, gates, fences, building materials, vegetation, signs or any other form of obstruction.

(2) Fire department sprinkler and standpipe connections shall be clearly identified and maintained free of obstructions for use at all times.

Maintenance

2.5.1.3. Fire access routes shall be maintained so as to be immediately ready for use at all times by fire department vehicles.

Signs

2.5.1.4. Approved signs shall be displayed to indicate fire access routes.

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