FAQs

CAUTION
Never put yourself or anyone else in jeopardy by trying to extinguish a fire that's beyond your control. Sound an alarm and leave the building, closing all the doors behind you. Then call the Fire Service (9-1-1), go to your designated meeting place and wait for the firefighters to arrive.

Smoke Alarms

Fire Extinguishers

Propane Tanks

General Questions

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Fire Extinguishers

NEVER GO BACK INTO A BURNING BUILDING!

What kind of fire extinguisher should I have?

We recommend a "dry chemical" type for home use, generally type 2A-10BC.

Where can I buy a fire extinguisher?

Refer to the Yellow Pages. Most hardware outlets and extinguisher-servicing companies have extinguishers for sale which are suitable for home use.

I just bought a 3A10BC fire extinguisher. What does "3A10BC" mean?

Your extinguisher is multi-purpose and is good for any fire likely to occur in the average home or office.

The Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC; UL in the USA) test and rate extinguishers for the class and size of fire that they will put out.

The letter refers to the nature of the flammable material. Class A fire extinguishers are effective for ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper, cloth, rubber and straw. Class B fire extinguishers are for flammable or combustible liquids such as oil, gas, paint, thinners and grease. The extinguishers have to suffocate the fire, inhibit the release of combustible vapours, and interrupt the combustion chain reaction.

The first number in the sequence identifies the amount of fire-extinguishing potential on Class A fires. For example, a 4-A extinguisher will put out approximately twice as much fire as a 2-A extinguisher. The number before the 'B' indicates the relative fire extinguishing potential and approximates the square footage of deep-layer flammable liquid fire which the average trained operator can extinguish using that particular extinguisher.

The Class C rating has no number and indicates that the extinguishing agent does not conduct electricity. A Class C extinguisher is required for fires involving energized electrical wiring and equipment or appliances. Electrical equipment should be de-energized before attacking a Class C fire.

There is also a Class D rating. These are specialized extinguishers used to extinguish fires involving combustible metals such as magnesium, sodium and zirconium.

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Where should I store my extinguisher?

Store it away from the stove, near the kitchen entrance. Mount the extinguisher on the bracket that comes with it.

In your workshop or toolshed, mount the extinguisher away from power tools, near the exit.

How often should I have my fire extinguisher recharged?

Recharge it after each use, or if the gauge shows a loss of pressure. Dry-chemical extinguishers have to be hydrostatically tested and recharged every six years.

Are the contents of a dry-chemical extinguisher toxic?

No. Dry-chemical extinguishers are usually filled with mono-ammonium phosphate, a non-toxic substance. Large amounts of this powder, however, can cause breathing difficulties. If someone has recently used a dry-chemical fire extinguisher, leave the area and call the Fire Service (9-1-1) to ensure that the fire is completely extinguished.

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How do I use a fire extinguisher?

Always follow the manufacturers' instructions listed on the extinguisher.

General instructions:

  • Check the extinguisher for the recommended distance it should be held from the fire.
  • Hold the extinguisher upright.
  • Remove the safety pin.
  • Aim at the base of the fire and squeeze the handle.
  • Use a sweeping motion to extinguish the fire.

CALL THE FIRE SERVICE IMMEDIATELY! (9-1-1)

Extinguishers can be discharged very quickly - you can empty your container in seconds. Remember:

  • Ensure that someone has called the Fire Service (9-1-1).
  • Never endanger yourself or others in trying to extinguish a fire.
  • If a small fire cannot be extinguished with a portable fire extinguisher, or if the smoke becomes a major problem, leave the area. Close the door to the area to confine the fire. Leave the building and wait outside for the Fire Service.

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Propane Tanks

Where should I store my propane tank?

All propane tanks should be stored outside or in a detached shed. They should be protected from the elements and should be at least one metre from any openings to the building.

How should I dispose of my old tank?

Take all expired propane tanks back to an outlet that refills them. Do not keep them and do not include them with your regular garbage pick-up.

Can I park my propane-powered vehicle in an underground garage?

Yes, but only if the vehicle has an installers' tag identifying it as suitable. Also check your lease or condominium rules.

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General Questions

How high do the Fire Department ladders reach?

It depends on how close the ladder can get to the building and whether underground parking will restrict the apparatus. On average, however, aerial ladders reach six storeys and aerial platforms reach seven stories.

How long should emergency power last?

That depends on the building and how its emergency power is supplied. Most new buildings have emergency generators which give continuous uninterrupted lighting in stairwells and hallways. Other buildings have battery-operated systems which provide lighting for a defined period of time.

Under the Building Code, emergency power must last from one half to two hours, which is long enough for occupants to safely leave the building.

Why can't I use elevators during an alarm?

  • Elevators can become smoke shafts during a fire
  • The power could fail, leaving you trapped in the elevator car
  • The door could open at the fire floor and expose you to extreme heat and smoke
  • Firefighters need the elevator to transport people and equipment to the upper floors as quickly as possible

Why are there letters on the stairwell doors?

These letters are part of the building's fire-safety plan. They identify the stairwells when occupants need to evacuate. These letters are also used by firefighters to identify which stairwell will be used to evacuate occupants and which stairwell will be used to remove smoke from the building during firefighting operations.

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How often are building fire alarms tested?

All building bells, horns or sirens are tested once a month. Qualified personnel check the complete system annually.

Schools are tested three times in the fall and three times in the spring.

Is the fire-alarm system connected directly to the Fire Department?

NO. Some buildings are monitored by private companies which notify the department when the fire alarm is activated. People must call from the building and not assume that someone else has advised the Fire Department (9-1-1).

What causes fires in high-rise apartment buildings?

Fires in high-rise apartments are caused by smoking, cooking accidents, electrical problems and arson.

Why is the exit to the roof often locked?

Doors or hatches leading to a roof are not considered fire exits under the fire code. Exit from a building must lead outside, at ground-level. Roof doors are locked for reasons of building liability and security.

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What should I do if I can't use the stairs?

If your building has a fire-safety plan, ask to have your name and address placed on the Persons Requiring Assistance page. This page is checked by the Senior Fire Officer if there is a fire in the building.

If there is an alarm or a fire in the building:

  • Stay in your unit
  • Use wet towels or duct tape to seal your doors and keep smoke out.
  • Call the Fire Department (9-1-1) and give them your exact location, then signal from your balcony or window.

Why can't stairwell doors be left open for better ventilation?

These doors protect the stairwell from smoke, heat and hot gases so that people can safely evacuate from the building. A door which is wedged open would allow the smoke to fill the stairwell and upper floors of the building.

Do you still have stickers to indicate where children may be sleeping?

No. In our Plan to Get Out Alive program, we encourage everyone to plan their own escape in advance and practice it regularly.

How do I dispose of hazardous materials?

The City of Ottawa has a Household Hazardous Waste Depots at the Trail Road Landfill site. It is open every second Saturday. For more information call 580-2400.

How close can my drapes be to my heater?

Not closer than 5 centimetres. Many heater manufacturers have recommended distances.

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