Faced with growing concerns about e-bike and e-scooter battery fires, a small but growing number of strata councils in the province are banning them from buildings. “The number of strata corporations, … probably 15 or 20, have in the last year taken the position, ‘We’re not going to permit them at all,’” said Tony Gioventu, […]
New law means an HOA can’t stop you from hardening your home against wildfires (CO)
A new state law voids homeowners’ association rules that prevent residents from using building materials that are more resistant to wildfires. Gov. Jared Polis signed the legislation this week. In a statement, he said the new law should help homeowners safeguard their homes and save money on insurance. Read the article…………………………….
Green Valley HOAs get Firewise ball rolling (AZ)
Three communities in Green Valley have become designated Firewise USA sites, and are encouraging homeowners associations to do the same to help protect Green Valley from wildfires. The Firewise USA award is given to communities that have put in a lot of time, effort and planning to educate homeowners in wildfire safety and mitigate the […]
Some Colorado HOAs ban using fire-resistant building materials. This proposed law could overrule that
A Colorado Senate committee on Tuesday advanced legislation that would block homeowners’ association rules that prevent residents from using fire-resistant building materials, a change that firefighters and insurance experts say would give communities more options to harden properties against climate-fueled wildfires. Read the article…………………………….
Lawmakers advance bill that would void HOA rules that block wildfire-hardening (CO)
A Colorado Senate committee on Tuesday advanced legislation that would block homeowners’ association rules that prevent residents from using fire-resistant building materials, a change that firefighters and insurance experts say would give communities more options to harden properties against climate-fueled wildfires. Read the article…………………………….
Many Colorado HOAs have rules that make homes more vulnerable to wildfires. New legislation could block those.
Colorado lawmakers on Friday advanced new legislation that would make it easier to build or upgrade homes to harden them against wildfires. The legislation would void language in existing homeowners’ association bylaws, deed restrictions or property contracts that prevent residents from installing or using fire-resistant building materials. It would also prohibit new restrictions. Read the […]
How To’s & Quick Tips Fire Sprinkler System Cost Factors and Considerations: Why It’s Worth It
A residential fire sprinkler system is well documented to save lives and protect property. Fire sprinkler system cost typically falls between $0.80 and $7 per square foot with a national average of $2 per square foot. Read the article……………………………….
Holiday Safety Tips for Your Home or Condo
The holiday season is almost upon us! You’re likely making plans on how to spend time with your friends and family. Candles, Christmas trees, and holiday lighting are traditionally a part of festive winter celebrations no matter where you live, but as you enjoy the festive time, extra precautions should be taken in order to […]
Fireplace Safety Tips to Keep in Mind This Winter
An indoor wood-burning fireplace offers warmth and relaxation that can bring tranquility to your home, and with winter right around the corner, you will likely be enjoying fires frequently on the cold nights that are to come. However, that cozy, crackling fireplace can also cause a host of problems if you do not take the […]
Canyon Lake POA completes sale of fire station to City of Canyon Lake (CA)
In a historic move, today marks the culmination of 11 months of negotiations as the Canyon Lake Property Owners Association completes the sale of the fire station to the City of Canyon Lake. Escrow is expected to close today, December 8. Read the article……………………………
Powering E-Devices Safely: There Are Fires … And There Are E-Device Fires
All over the news, from coast to coast, reports of fires and explosions caused by lithium-ion batteries describe blazes that are out of control, difficult to extinguish, and excessively smokey. Tragically, many have resulted in fatalities and serious injuries, and certainly all have caused extensive damage to properties and the environment. Read the article………………………..
Condo Tower Fire Is Reminder Of Lack Of Sprinklers In Older Buildings (HI)
There were no sprinklers when a fire broke out Thursday, shooting flames and black smoke from the 14th floor of a condo tower in Ala Moana, but the residents knew what to do. Recently installed fire alarms and a public address system called on them to evacuate, and so they did. Read the article………………………….
Why Fire Prevention Emphasis is More Important Than Most Boards Think
“CONDO FIRES ARE RARELY CONTAINED TO ONE UNIT” This site has tracked condominium fires for over 18 years now. The initial reason we started the tracking is because a fire in a condo unit usually takes out more than one home. For that reason, we created an entire separate category for Fire Safety & Prevention. […]
Half of home heating fires occur in December, January and February — How to stay warm and safe
With the arrival of the cold temperatures, Wilmerding Fire Marshal Alvin Hussey is warning homeowners to be careful while trying to stay warm. Read the article…………………………..
Fireplace Safety
As the colder weather sets in, many people are rushing to light their fireplaces to create a cozy and warm ambiance. If you have a woodburning fireplace in your home, it’s crucial to keep fireplace safety in mindto ensure the well-being of your household and your neighbors in your HOA community during the winter season. […]
Water gushed for 72 minutes after Reno high-rise fire was put out. What went wrong? (NV)
After a kitchen fire was put out last year on the top floor of a downtown Reno high-rise, water continued to pour from a hallway sprinkler. It took 49 minutes from the time the sprinkler triggered an alarm until the Reno Fire Department arrived at 1200 Riverside Drive and knocked down the fire on the […]
Los Robles Estates Homeowners Association has become a nationally recognized Firewise USA community. “What that means” (CA)
Residents of a Thousand Oaks neighborhood have come together to lower their wildfire risk. In so doing, the Los Robles Estates Homeowners Association has become a nationally recognized Firewise USA community. “What that means is that we have now received national recognition for having a framework for this community to be able to lower their […]
Smoke Alarms and Fire Prevention Systems in Illinois Community Associations
…….discusses legal updates impacting smoke alarms and fire prevention systems in Illinois condominium, homeowner (HOA), and townhome community associations. Listen to the podcast………………………………
Convenient clean up in Lakeview Meadows (BC)
Knowing that the best way to fight wildfire is to do the necessary work well in advance, homeowners in the new Lakeview Meadows community in Windermere decided to evaluate the landscaping around their properties. Residents of the community made a mutual goal to improve their resilience to potentially disastrous wildfires. Read the article………………………………..
Fire Safety Tips For Homeowners Associations And Managed Community Leaders
Fire danger is something all communities face. These fire prevention tips can help promote safety in condo buildings and neighborhoods. Read the article…………………………………..
A battle is brewing over a bill that would require sprinklers be added to older condos (PA)
Fire safety experts agree that sprinklered buildings are safer, but opponents to a new mandate say that requiring them in old buildings will be too expensive and disruptive to the lives of occupants. Read the article……………………….
Montgomery County’s Existing High-Rise Building Sprinkler Program Maryland 2023 (MD)
As of February 2023, a total of seventy-six (76) high rise buildings in Montgomery County do not have sprinklers in each unit. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that more than 2,500 people die in home fires each year. Yet, the risk of dying in a home fire decreases by about 80% when a […]
Condo Smarts: Strata can prohibit outdoor cooking on balconies and decks (BC)
Dear Tony: Our neighbour recently had a fire in their barbeque. The damage to our two townhouses was siding, decks and extensive smoke damage as everyone had their windows open. Our home insurance is covering the damage to our personal property and interior of the strata lot, but the neighbour does not have home owner […]
Playing with fire (mitigation) (CO)
Repeated studies have shown global climate change is leading to larger, more severe wildfires. The raging infernos that sparked Aug. 8 in Maui leveled thousands of homes and killed more than 100 people. The entire Canadian town of Yellowknife, which is about the size of Durango, was forced to evacuate last week under threat by […]
Homeowner raises fire risk concerns with overgrown brush in Chula Vista (CA)
Homeowners in the South Bay say they’re concerned about overgrown brush around their neighborhood and the fire risks it could pose to nearby homes. CBS 8 went to work to find out who was responsible for the brush cleanup and what was being done about it. Read the article………………………..
Australia: Preventing Winter Fire Hazards
Winter is well and truly upon us and statistics show that almost half of unit fires are started in the kitchen and 58% of all fire fatalities occur in winter. With winter well and truly here, let’s take the time to brush up of safety measures and be prepared if you haven’t already to reduce […]
Village of Oak Creek HOA earns a ‘Firewise’ title (AZ)
The La Barranca II Homeowners Association in the Village of Oak Creek received its Firewise certification and accompanying signage at its entrance at the intersection of Jacks Canyon Road and La Barranca Drive on the morning of Wednesday, July 26. Read the article………………………..
Council chair pressured to rescind costly condo fire sprinkler law (HI)
Condominium associations are lobbying Honolulu City Council Chair Tommy Waters to repeal a law that requires high-rise condos to install costly fire sprinkler systems, prompting Waters to seek input from the Waikiki Neighborhood Board. Read the article………………………..
Second annual running of the goats held in Malibu West (CA)
The community spirit of the Malibu West neighborhood was on display last Saturday as residents joyously gathered for its second annual running of the goats. Young and old paraded down Paseo Canyon Drive cheering 250 goats hired to clear dangerous brush surrounding their neighborhood. Read the article………………………..
6 Condo Fire Safety Best Practices
Fire danger is something that condominium communities across North America all face. A fire can spread quickly, doubling in size or raging out of control in 30 seconds or less. And while some factors, like dry landscaping and unattended flames, can increase the risk of fires, education about fire safety is the best method of […]
Barbecue grills must be approved by the HOA (NV)
Q: We have a homeowners association board that pretty much agrees on most things except we are having difficulty with a portion of article 3.6 of the covenants, conditions and restrictions. What is your take on “there shall be no open fires whatsoever” as it pertains to the rest of the article? Read the Q&A…………………………
A Pending Hawai‘i Law Pushes Residential High Rises to Install Fire Sprinklers, or Get Working on Their Plans
After the deadly Marco Polo fire of 2017, older Honolulu high rises were required to install sprinkler systems or pass a safety evaluation, but compliance is slow going. Now state legislation asks them to add the costly systems to their reserve studies. Read the article………………………..
Reno Fire, NV Energy, Nevada Division of Forestry Using Goats to Reduce Wildfire Risk (NV)
In an effort to reduce the risk of wildfire risk in Rosewood Canyon, the Reno Fire Department, NV Energy, and the Nevada Division of Forestry are teaming up to use goats as fire mitigation tools. On June 5, goats from High Desert Graziers from Smith Valley started to graze approximately 16 acres of property owned […]
Can I BBQ on my Condo Balcony? (ON)
It’s BBQ season! With it, comes questions pertaining to BBQ safety and neighbourly etiquette. This is particularly true in condo living and even more so when one lives in a mid to high-rise complex, where occupants have the exclusive use of a balcony. Read the article………………………..
Mesa Antero, Chateau Chapparal named Firewise USA (CO)
The Mesa Antero Property Owners’ Association and Chateau Chapparal Owners’ Associations received official designations as Firewise USA sites at the end of May, bringing Chaffee County up to seven such designated neighborhoods. Read the article………………………..
Fire Safety and Prevention for HOA Communities in Sacramento (CA)
As an HOA community in Sacramento, fire safety should be one of your top priorities. Preventing fires from happening and being prepared in the event of an emergency can minimize danger and avoid severe damage. Read the article………………………..
When is it antisocial to grill? The rules from the experts
Being a good neighbor doesn’t cost anything, and under the terms of HOA, being a bad one could be pretty expensive Read the article………………………..
HOA becomes first Firewise USA site in Green Valley (AZ)
One Green Valley neighborhood is making history as the first local homeowners association to become a certified Firewise USA site. Bill Hollingsworth, a board member with Solar Del Viejo HOA, accepted the award Wednesday on behalf of his community alongside representatives from the Green Valley Fire District and the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire […]
Marshall fire-affected HOA may be first in Colorado to allow metal fencing (CO)
In what many Marshall Fire victims are hoping will become a movement to embrace safety over aesthetics, the Rock Creek Homeowners Association modernized the rules. It voted unanimously Thursday to allow its 65 Marshall Fire victims, and anyone else who lives in the community, to rebuild using metal fire-proof fencing. Read the article………………………..
Fire Sprinkler/ELSS Update for High Rise Buildings (FL)
If you own a unit in a high-rise condominium or manage such condominiums, you are likely aware that the Condominium Act requires that the condominium buildings must be retrofitted with a fire sprinkler system or an engineered life-safety system (ELSS). The Condominium Act provides that the local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) may not require completion […]
‘They wanted to be putting that fire out’: Pasco homeowner says broken hydrant led to delays in fighting blaze (FL)
A Pasco County man believes a fire hydrant that wasn’t working led to delays in fighting the fire that damaged his home. The ABC Action News I-Team uncovered that when it comes to inspections and maintenance of fire hydrants, not all hydrants are treated equally. Read the article………………………..
Rebuilding the 80027: Rock Creek HOA debates fire-resistant fencing (CO)
As the Marshall fire whipped through Superior’s Rock Creek Ranch subdivision, one firefighter clocked the amount of time it took for each house to explode into flames: Seven minutes. No one had ever seen such a destructive fire in the middle of winter. Read the article………………………..
2023 Update to Illinois Smoke Detector Act: What Do Illinois Community Associations Need to Know?
In August of 2017, the Illinois Smoke Detector Act (“Act”) was amended to include additional requirements for smoke detectors in residences, and these new requirements took effect on January 1, 2023. Read the article………………………..
Philly condo, apartment residents protest a bill to add sprinklers to old buildings (PA)
Philadelphia Councilmember Mark Squilla found himself besieged Thursday by high-rise condo and apartment dwellers angered by a bill he introduced almost a year ago. The legislation would mandate installation of sprinkler systems in older buildings over six stories. Read the article………………………..
Fire Extinguisher Inspections
Portable fire extinguishers are often times our first line of defense against small fires and chances are you aren’t too far from one right now. Like any lifesaving equipment you want to ensure that it is operable at all times so it will work when you need it most. Read the article………………………..
Residents at Somers condo, site of fatal 2022 fire, said broken hydrant is in urgent need of repairs (NY)
Residents in the Heritage Hills Condos in Somers are furious over a fire hydrant that has been out of service for almost a year. They say they have tried for months to get it fixed to no avail. Read the article………………………..
How far will you go to reduce your wildfire risk?
No one wants to lose their home in a wildfire. But what pushes people to act beforehand to protect their property — to cut down overgrown shrubs around decks, prune low-hanging tree branches or clear dead leaves from gutters? Read the article………………………..
Condo Column: Up in a puff of smoke (NH)
Likely the most overlooked portion of preventive maintenance in a condominium association is the inspection and cleaning of flues and chimneys. Read the article………………………..
Twin blazes at Arapahoe County condos highlight danger of lack of fire-suppression sprinklers (CO)
Donna Reis and Jon Wilkerson are among the hundreds of people displaced recently by two separate fires at an Arapahoe County condominium complex. The couple, who’ve shared the same one-bedroom residence for the past 30 years, say it’s unlikely that they’ll return. Read the article………………………..
Condo Column: The hidden danger (NH)
A recent item came to my attention that I thought I might share with you. E-bikes and escooters are becoming more and more common. If you haven’t yet seen one in your condominium association you likely will soon. They can save a lot of environmental wear and tear, are faster than walking to work, and […]