Seniors' Public Housing Safe: Report

A review into fire safety at seniors' public housing confirms that the buildings are safe.

"The safety of our seniors is paramount," said Ray White, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs, who today released the report with recommendations concerning seniors' apartment buildings.

"Notwithstanding the high standards of fire safety and preparedness already present in our buildings, I support all the recommendations in the report," he said. "The report has been reviewed by the fire marshal and we will be working closely with the Fire Marshal's Office in implementing the recommendations."

The minister called for the inspection of the province's 472 seniors' buildings following a fire at Sunrise Manor in Halifax on Dec. 31, 1998. The inspection was to determine readiness in the event of a fire.

The review found the buildings were constructed to building code requirements of the day; that the fire safety systems are well maintained; and that fire safety education was a priority with property management staff. In addition, the report identified a history of continuous improvements to the fire safety equipment in the buildings. It listed a number of initiatives, completed or under way, that have improved fire detection and protection.

Recommendations of the review include:

• that sprinkler systems be installed in Sunrise Manor in Halifax and Fort Cumberland Manor in Amherst, the two seniors' public housing highrises that do not have sprinklers. The relatively large number of residents in these buildings, the distance to building exits from the upper floors, and the potential difficulty that some residents may face in leaving the building in an emergency make the installation of sprinklers appropriate.

• that formal monitoring systems be established to ensure that repairs to fire detection systems, sprinkler systems, and emergency lighting are promptly carried out. The report said the regular inspection process often identifies for field staff the need for minor repairs, but currently there is no monitoring of the followup action required.

• that housing authorities make every effort to have the local fire service take part in fire drills and education sessions with residents. The report called education a vital part of preparedness and said the expertise of fire service personnel is an important element in increasing residents' safety awareness.

• that a emergency preparedness manual be prepared for all housing authorities. The report said that although each building has a fire plan, no guidelines are currently available that would assist housing authority staff deal with an event of the scale of the Sunrise Manor fire.

"The lessons learned from the Sunrise fire will be useful to other property managers and organizations faced with a similar situation in the future," said Mr. White.

Sprinkler systems will be installed at Sunrise and Fort Cumberland manors this year, the minister said.

About 9,300 seniors live in provincial apartment buildings ranging in size from two to 217 units. Seniors pay a rent based on income.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Copies of the report are available at Communications Nova Scotia, third floor, 1723 Hollis St., Halifax. For a faxed copy, phone 902-424-4492 or e-mail <[email protected].>