One of the most basic things a consumer should expect when renting an apartment is that the building provides a relatively safe place to call home. This includes that the landlord and/or property manager responsible for their building adheres to provincial fire and building codes.

Property managers whose buildings earn certification through the Certified Rental Building Program (CRBP) pledge to uphold the program’s Standards of Practice. Building safety is an important part of that commitment. For all CRB Property Managers, safety matters!

The Federation of Rental-Housing Providers of Ontario (FRPO) launched the CRBP as part of its mandate to advocate for quality rental housing. There are more than 50 different Standards of Practice that a building and Property Manager must clearly be able to demonstrate before they can be certified in the Program.

By law, as well as through the Standards, CRB property managers must have an up-to-date fire safety plan for each certified rental building. This plan outlines the building specific systems and procedures for addressing and dealing with emergencies. CRB’s must maintain and update monthly, a list of residents who may need assistance with evacuation in an emergency. They must also, maintain documentation that has been signed off within the last year verifying an annual inspection by a local fire protection contractor. They must maintain their Fire Log Book that documents regular (i.e. monthly) tests of each building’s fire safety systems. They must also ensure Fire Drills are held on a quarterly basis.

Other CRB Standards that can affect the safety of a building include rigorous adherence to regular building cleaning schedules, effective communications with tenants when building repairs are necessary, properly maintained elevators, well-maintained heating and cooling equipment, annual suite inspections and an ongoing education program for staff.

Ontario residents are also protected by the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997 (FPPA). The Ontario Fire Code is a regulation under the FPPA. Just a few of the many elements addressed in the Code are access to and number of building exits and fire escapes, the safe installation of mechanical, electrical and plumbing infrastructure, elevators, stairwell, fire and smoke alarms.

Renters who choose a CRBP building have the peace of mind of knowing that J.D. Power and Associates which serves as the Auditor for the program, has verified that all buildings granted “Certified Rental Building” status have successfully demonstrated compliance and adherence with Programs Standards of Practice including those that address fire safety.

BUT, fire safety is also the responsibility of individual renters.

No program or organization can monitor what goes on inside every apartment. Building owners and property managers need to count on their tenants’ vigilance when it comes to avoiding fire mishaps. For example, leaving burning candles unattended is one of the most common causes of house and apartment fires. Smoking carelessly and forgetting about food cooking on the stove are others. Taking care goes beyond tenants protecting themselves, to keeping the building safer for all the residents, and helping to protect the building which they call home.

If you want to learn more about Ontario Fire Code, visit http://www.mcscs.jus.gov.on.ca/english/firemarshal/ofmlanding/ofm_main.html through which you can access safety pamphlets created specifically for tenants of apartment buildings. And if you are not aware of the fire safety features in your building, make sure to ask your property owner/manager.

When you rent in a CRBP building, you can be assured that the owner and/or property manager understand and pledge to uphold the legal and moral aspects of operating rental accommodations. This includes their commitment to fire safety.