Amendment to Alberta Safety Codes Act
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association request the Government of Alberta to amend the Alberta Safety Codes Act Section 66(2) to include an additional notwithstanding provision allowing municipalities to mandate residential sprinklers.
WHEREAS the Alberta Safety Codes Act (SCA) is the overarching legislation relating to Provincial codes;
WHEREAS an amendment to the 2006 Alberta Building Code was adopted in May of 2009 clarifying the 10 minute Fire Department response and limiting Distance, Division B 9.10.15.3.;
WHEREAS the Alberta Building Code and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recognizes that sprinklers provide additional life safety;
WHEREAS sprinklers contribute to sustainability by way of reduced fire water usage and diminished air pollution generated by fire;
WHEREAS the emphasis on life safety must remain the highest priority;
WHEREAS other Canadian and American municipalities have adopted sprinkler bylaws; and
WHEREAS the Alberta Safety Codes Act Section 66(1) does not allow a municipality to regulate a matter that is regulated by this Act.
Municipal Affairs - October 31, 2012
The GOA shares the interests of the AUMA in providing safe communities and residential homes for Albertans and appreciates the efforts made by municipalities to ensure compliance with the Safety Codes Act (SCA) and the Alberta Building Code (ABC). Alberta looks to the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) for guidance in developing new safety standards that can be included in the model National Building Code (NBC) and the ABC.
AUMA considers this response.