The City of Toronto recently hired over 300 new fire inspectors, pledging to inspect every high-rise building in the city at least once a year. The Fire Code adopts a broad definition of “owner”, and, as a result, the city may lay Fire Code charges against unit owners, condo corporations, property managers, management firms and […]
Ireland: ‘I’m fed up’: Owners of Sandyford apartments given deadline to pay for fire safety repairs
RESIDENTS OF AN apartment complex in south Dublin have been told the first installment of a possible €14,000 to repair fire safety defects is due at the end of this month. The Simonsridge development in Sandyford was one of 60 across the country included in a fire safety survey conducted by Keenan Property Management (KPM) […]
Residents in San Antonio Creek Neighborhood Applying Lessons Learned from Earlier Wildfires (CA)
A few movers and shakers in the foothills area of San Antonio Creek Road near Santa Barbara have been working steadily since the devastating 1990 Painted Cave Fire to improve fire safety and evacuation procedures in their neighborhood. Read the article…………………….
Australia: Combustible Cladding, Class Actions & Australian Consumer Law
One of the potential routes to recovery for strata owners faced with the cost of council orders requiring the replacement of combustible cladding may be actions against the manufacturers under the Australian Consumer Law. At present Federal Court Class Actions are on foot representing all person who are effected by the apparent failure of Alucobond […]
Unincorporated homeowners feel the financial pinch of fire safety (CA)
While waiting for the first rains of the year, one Glen Ellen neighborhood was busy tackling fire hazards by cutting back tall, dry grass; removing wood piles and overhead branches; and sweeping away leaves — all to comply with defensible space requirements. While costly, many agree the expense is worth the peace of mind. Area […]
Communication and Training Are Key Before Disaster Strikes (NY)
In New York City, there are numerous safety regulations governing commercial buildings and hotels, but they do not apply to co-ops, condos, or other residential buildings. Where commercial tenants practice drills and listen to safety directors on a regular basis, the residential sector is required only to pass out the Fire and Emergency Preparedness Guide. […]
5 feet or 10 feet, Which Is It? The Confusion Within The New Jersey Fire Code Regarding Portable Propane BBQ Grills
Everyone enjoys a good BBQ, and making sure they are safe should be a priority for any board in a community association. In the mid 2000’s, community associations throughout New Jersey saw a flurry of rule adoptions to comply with the New Jersey Fire Code at the time, which generally prohibited portable propane BBQ grills […]
Australia: Unit owners hit with big bills to ensure blocks comply with fire rules
Unit owners in some of Brisbane’s older apartment blocks are having to pay six-figure body corporate bills to install new water pumps and water storage facilities to ensure firefighters have sufficient water pressure to fight fires. Read the article……………………….
NFPA learning from Red Rock Ranch on fire mitigation (CO)
On a day when fire danger is the last thing on the minds of many, a Monument homeowners association helped establish a standard on fire mitigation. The Red Rock Ranch HOA hosted a meeting and community tour for top-ranking officials from the U.S. Forest Service, Colorado State Forest Service and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) […]
Midtown KC condo owners’ parking garage declared unsafe, closed by fire inspectors (MO)
They paid a lot for a Midtown condo complex parking space. Read the article…………………..But on Monday, Kansas City fire inspectors deemed their four-story parking garage unsafe, and shut it down. It’s the latest issue for owners of the Park Reserve Condominiums.
Two retirees now work to make their community safer from the threat of wildfire (NV)
Janet Ouren and Kathi Delegal met about six years ago, by chance, sharing a ride in a golf cart in Incline. That ride sparked a friendship and partnership between the two retirees that has paid dividends to the residents of ArrowCreek in south Reno. Working with the community’s homeowners association, the two have been the […]
Senior community in Sonoma County worries neighboring vineyard a fire threat (CA)
A small Sonoma County community is battling an international wine consortium over a small tract of land overgrown with high weeds. The many senior citizens that live in Creekside Village, just outside the town of Sonoma, don’t think the neighboring vineyard is very neighborly when it comes to clearing dry grasses. Read the article………………….
Weeds at shuttered golf course worry neighbors (CA)
As summer heats up and fire season becomes imminent, east Petaluma residents are sounding the alarm about a potentially flammable threat — dry grass at the shuttered Adobe Creek Golf Course. The 100-acre property has been minimally maintained since its owner, Adobe Investments LLC, shut down the 18-hole course at the start of 2017. Half […]
No sprinklers, fire alarms in ravaged Crystal Lake condo building (IL)
There were no fire-suppression sprinklers or fire alarms in a Crystal Lake condominium building gutted by a blaze early Wednesday morning, authorities said Thursday. Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department Deputy Chief Christopher Olsen confirmed the lack of sprinklers or alarms in the building at 540 Devonshire, in the city’s Coventry Club subdivision. Read the article……………………..
Hillside Residents Focus on the Serious Business of Fire Prevention (CA)
The Hiller Highlands has a tragic claim to fame. In October of 1991, a wildfire fueled by strong winds swept across the dry Oakland Hills and destroyed all 1,800 of its homes. Bob Sieben moved to the neighborhood after it was rebuilt, and started organizing a yearly day during which homeowners and volunteers cleared flammable […]
Helping Seniors Survive The Hazards Of High-Rise Living In Honolulu (HI)
When a fire erupted in his high-rise condominium building, Roy Mogi, 83, evacuated down six flights of stairs and crossed safely to the other side of the street. Then he collapsed, and his head slammed against the pavement. He died of blunt force trauma. Honolulu Fire Capt. Scott Seguirant said it’s not known whether exhaustion […]
Last Minute Fourth of July Safety Checklist
Your Community Association may be planning an event for the fourth of July but even if not, its important residents know how to safely celebrate. Every year more than 50,000 fires are caused by fireworks in the US and most of those occur on Independence Day. Making patterns in the dark with a sparkler and […]
Things You Need to Know About Fireworks in Your Association (IL)
While Fourth of July fireworks are often a big part of American celebrations, they can pose damage to both people and property. As the Independence Day holiday approaches, Associations should remind their residents of the fireworks rules and regulations that are in place in order to keep the community safe. Below are three levels of […]
New FEMA podcast on building fire-adapted communities
Today, FEMA released the podcast “Advancing Wildfire Resilience through the Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network.” Since 2013, the Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network (FAC Net) has connected and supported people and communities who are striving to live more safely with wildfire. FAC Net serves as a catalyst for spreading best practices and innovations in fire […]
Fire Prevention, Preparedness & Recovery
Fire prevention and preparation are crucial to decreasing the number of injuries and deaths from this disaster. In 2012, there were 2,855 deaths and 16,500 injuries across the United States related to fires.1 To combat this, people need to be educated in responses and steps to take to avoid or respond to fire, should it […]
Forest Park celebrates firewise with brush dumpster (AZ)
To celebrate Firewise Week, the Forest Park Homeowners Association rented a dumpster for residents to toss clippings and brush. The community has worked hard to follow the Firewise guidelines of the National Fire Protection Association. The effort has paid off, NFPA recognizes Forest Park as a National Firewise Community. Read the article………………………
Florida drags feet for decades on fire safety for condos
Man discovered fire hundreds of thousands of years ago. And for almost that long, or so it seems, politicians and taxpayers in Florida have been arguing about fire. It’s fire safety, to be specific, and whether high-rise condos should be required to be retrofitted with sprinkler systems in case of fire. Read the article………………………
How to Prepare Your Community for a Wildfire
Every year, more and more people are forced to flee their homes because of wildfires. These fires have been growing in both size and frequency, and today more than 4 million U.S. households are located in areas that are under extreme wildfire danger. Fortunately, there are simple steps you can take to help protect your […]
Barbecuing 101: To Ban or Not to Ban? (NY)
Summer’s almost here, and co-op and condo boards are about to get reminded that there’s nothing simple about a simple summer barbecue. In regulating or banning barbecuing, boards need to consider the Fire Department of New York’s (FDNY) stringent regulations, inconvenience to neighbors from smoke and noise and smells, as well as insurance and legal […]
Condo owners, firefighters at odds over sprinkler requirements (FL)
The final week of the legislative session could finally bring an end to a long-running battle over condo fire sprinklers. In the 1990s, Florida law was changed to require all new high-rises in the state be outfitted with fire sprinkler systems. A decade or so later, existing hotels and timeshare complexes over 75 feet tall […]
Voters OK creating zones of benefit to fund fire hazard abatements in Rivieras (CA)
Property owners have voted in favor of creating benefit zones to fund wildfire fuel reduction along roadways in the high-fire-risk Rivieras area of Kelseyville in supervisory district 5. Ballots were counted by Lake County staff Tuesday during a board of supervisors meeting, and while no action was taken by the board, a resolution to create […]
California’s secret wildfire weapon: Goats, sheep chew through flammable grass, brush
They’re small, ill-tempered, incessantly hungry and if given the chance, they could play a much larger role in preventing the next round of California’s deadly wildfires. In a vast field adjacent a community college and over the fence from a state prison, about 200 goats are gnawing their way through a thicket of green foxtails […]
Frustrations building as fire alarm violations still aren’t fixed at midtown condos (MO)
Frustrations are building for people living in a midtown Kansas City condominium complex where several fire code issues still haven’t been addressed. The developer of the Park Reserve Condominiums, Wayne Reeder, and the Park Reserve Homeowners Association are in a tense back-and-forth over who should be responsible for fixing the fire alarm and sprinkler system. […]
Summit Park homeowners take lead in fire mitigation (UT)
It may seem unusual to be talking about the threat of wildland fires when there is still several feet of snow on the ground. But, Summit Park homeowner Mike Quinones said now is the perfect time to begin preparing for the upcoming fire season. Read the article…………………….
Fire Sprinklers now being required for older high rise condos (FL)
Legislation is set to be heard by a Senate committee next week that would require older high rise condominiums in Florida to have sprinkler systems by January 2023. The measure says the multi-family buildings, mostly built in the 1960s and 80s, need to have sprinkler systems in each condo unit, or at to at least […]
How A Central Texas Community Is Preparing For Wildfires Before An Emergency Happens
Last month, the Lubbock Avalanche Journal reported that though wildfire season typically begins in March, West Texas is seeing wildfires even earlier in the year. As a result, lots of communities have a plan of action for wildfires. But how many Texas communities perform a dry run before an emergency actually happens? So far, only […]
Fire chief suggests banning gas grills on condo decks after Friday fire in Osage Beach (MO)
The fire here at the Compass Pointe Condos in Osage Beach was knocked down rather quickly on Friday, but it did leave behind a lot of damage. The fire chief says when his crews pulled up to the building, it was a familiar sight. “When we pulled up four years ago to this call, what […]
Wildfire and emergency evacuation drill in Comanche Trail neighborhood is attempt at creating shareable program for vulnerable communities (TX)
As part of a preparedness exercise event organizers are calling the first of its kind for the state of Texas, a Western Travis County neighborhood will undergo a wildfire and emergency evacuation drill. The drill will take place at 9 a.m. Saturday, March 2 in the Comanche Trail neighborhood. A press release states the exercise […]
Rep. Thompson hosts ‘fire resiliency summit’ in Lake County (CA)
At a public meeting on fire response and resiliency hosted by Rep. Mike Thompson, Lake County residents called for more cooperation between governmental agencies and community organizations in combating the area’s wildfire-related issues. Sitting on a panel alongside Lake County District 1 Supervisor Moke Simon, Cal Fire Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit Chief Shana Jones, Mendocino National Forest […]
Red Rock Ranch chosen for Firewise pilot program (CO)
The Waldo Canyon Fire was just miles away in 2012. Then, the Black Forest Fire burned across I-25 in 2013. Residents in the Red Rock Ranch HOA have watched mammoth wildfires burn all around them. Now, they’re turning that fear into action. The HOA of more than 200 homes became a Firewise community in 2017 […]
Residents near Mayacama Golf Glub partner with Cal Fire, parks officials on wildfire prevention (CA)
Jonathan Wilhelm had to quickly evacuate his home in the remote Larkfield-Wikiup area when the 2017 Tubbs fire threatened to torch his property. When he and his neighbors were cleared to go back to their houses, the devastation could be seen around their small Mayacama community, he said. In the aftermath, Wilhelm and a group […]
Australia: Cladding fire risks have been known for years. Lives depend on acting now, with no more delays
The fire at the Neo200 building on Spencer Street in the Melbourne CBD this week has eerie similarities to the Grenfell Tower disaster. Fortunately, instead of 72 people dead as at Grenfell, only one person was hospitalised for smoke inhalation. Nevertheless, the building industry has responded straight from the Grenfell song sheet. Rydon, the main contractor […]
SF family wondering why new carbon monoxide detectors didn’t alarm despite high levels in condo (CA)
It may be time for you to install a new carbon monoxide detector in your home. A California law that went into effect in 2011 requires carbon monoxide detectors in residences. The detectors have a seven to 10-year life span, meaning many are due to be replaced. But just because you replace them doesn’t mean […]
Marin becomes fastest-growing ‘Firewise’ county in the country (CA)
As the wildfire risk continues to be a top concern, communities across Marin — more than any county in the state — are embracing a national fire prevention program, becoming the fastest-growing participant in the country. There are 31 Marin communities that have earned the recognition of Firewise USA, a program managed by the National […]
Keep Your Chicago Condominium Fire Safe! (IL)
If you are a property owner in Chicago, one of the most important aspects of your property ownership is ensuring the fire safety of your tenants and your building. This includes regular fire safety equipment inspections, maintenance, and following all new regulations. This helps you to avoid costly penalties and to make sure that your […]
Cascade Shores residents talk fire danger, safety measures (CA)
Cascade Shores residents packed into the community’s firehouse earlier this month, with the standing-room-only crowd intent on discussing its vulnerability to wildfire. The lessons of November’s Camp Fire, with the destruction of Paradise and the loss of nearly 100 lives, cuts a little too close to home for the neighborhood of approximately 1,000 residents on […]
Local group hopes dozens of goats will help lower the risk of wildfires (NM)
Dozens of goats are invading a neighborhood in Albuquerque’s heights. Monday, the Sandia Heights Homeowners Association started a “goatscaping” test at Domingo Baca Arroyo. Read the article………………….
Fire Safety Procedures for High-rise Condo Buildings (ON)
High-rise condo buildings include life safety systems designed to protect occupants. In the event of a fire, procedures high-rise condo dwellers should follow differ from other forms of housing. Read the article………………….
Communities working to gain fire safety designation in Converse (TX)
Converse Fire Department leaders are looking to help nearly 20 communities gain a Firewise designation, in an effort between communities and city and state leaders to promote fire safety in the areas where wild land and urban neighborhoods meet. Read the article………………….
Mayor Caldwell vetoes bill giving condo owners more time to comply with fire safety law (HI)
Mayor Kirk Caldwell today vetoed a bill that would have given condo owners an extra two years to comply with requirements of a fire-safety law enacted in the wake of the fatal Marco Polo fire in 2017. The City Council last week by an 8-0 vote passed Bill 72, which gave condo owners an extra […]
The Condominium Fire Sprinkler Retrofit and Engineered Life Safety Requirements (FL)
There appears to be some confusion surrounding the compliance date of the Engineered Life Safety System for those condominium associations that previously voted to opt out of the requirement to install condominium fire sprinkler retrofit. What is not confusing is that the safety of all occupants living in high-rise condominiums is paramount. No one wants […]
North Tahoe homeowners nationally recognized for fire safety (NV)
Carnelian Woods Townhouse Association on Lake Tahoe’s north shore as been nationally recognized for its efforts to reduce the vulnerability of its homes and landscapes to wildfires; with the Firewise USA designation. It’s now the first Firewise USA designation community in the Lake Tahoe Basin. Read the article……………….
What You Need to Know About Fire Alarm Maintenance (CA)
As a board member, your homeowners trust you to keep the community safe and well-maintained. Fire alarm systems are one of the main requirements to keep homes safe and having them inspected, tested and serviced is crucial. Read on to learn everything you need to know about short and long-term fire alarm maintenance. Read the article………………
Community reflects on lessons learned from 2013 wildfire (CO)
Nearly a 100-mile drive from where the most destructive wildfire in Colorado history tore through Black Forest near Colorado Springs, John Van Doren worried about his own community in the foothills surrounding the mountain town of Bailey. Read the article………………Since becoming president of his homeowners association, Van Doren has become a big proponent of fire […]
No fire response in Bernath Place due to a failed bridge inspection (FL)
The Avalon Fire Department informed the homeowners association by letter in the spring, that they cannot use the bridge that leads to the neighborhood, after it failed an inspection. Michael Farrow, President of the Bernath Place homeowner’s association says other emergency services have not been stopped. Read the article………………