Fire-Rescue Services

The Home Ignition Zone

Homes ignite due to the condition of the home itself and everything that surrounds it out to 100 metres from the foundation.

FireSmart principles are designed to mitigate a home’s vulnerability to wildfire. Working within the home ignition zone begins with the house and then working outwards, undertaking steps to reduce fuel for embers, a surface fire, and large flames. Learn more from FireSmart Canada about how to use FireSmart principles within the 100 metre ignition zone.

Protect your Home

Change your roofing material to non-combustible options such as metal, asphalt, clay, or composite rubber tiles. As of March 2018, all roofs new and repaired roofs in Canmore are to be constructed out of materials with a minimum Class B fire rating.

• Remove debris from your gutters.
• Screen your gutters with metal mesh to reduce the amount of debris that can accumulate.
• Sheath in the base of the decks, balconies, and houses with fire-resistant material.
• Store combustible lawn furniture or deck storage boxes away from your home.
• Avoid the following plants within 10 metres of your home: cedar, juniper, pine, tall grass, spruce.
• Remove dry leaves, twigs and branches from your yard and gutters.
• Do not use bark or pine needle mulches within 10 metres of your home as they are highly combustible. Gravel mulch and decorative crushed rock mulch significantly reduce the risk of wildfire.
• Move your firewood pile away from the side of your home.
• Remove tree branches within 2 metres of the ground will help stop surface fires from moving into the treetops.

Step 1 – Request a Fire Inspection

Book a business fire inspection by completing this online form. Someone from the fire team will reach out to you via email, within three business days to schedule the inspection.

Step 2 – Prepare for the FireInspection

Prepare for the inspection prior to the scheduled inspection date:

• Download the Pre-Inspection Checklist and review all applicable areas on the checklist to ensure compliance.
• If you have a fire alarm and/or sprinkler system, ensure you have up-to-date records ready to show the inspector, confirming that they have been checked within the last 12 months by a qualified person.
• Have a completed Emergency Plan prepared printed for review. See below for an example of the information you need to include.
• Have a completed Evacuation Plan prepared and printed for review. See below for an example of the information you need to include.

Step 3 – Conducting the Fire Inspection

• Ensure you are available for the entire hour that is scheduled for the fire inspection.         
• If there is a fire emergency during the time of your fire inspection, a member of the Fire-Rescue team will contact you to reschedule as quickly as possible.
• Bring all of forms you completed in step 2 to the inspection to demonstrate your compliance.

Here is an example of the type of information you should include in your emergency plan. Please adjust to suit the specific needs of your business/location.

Emergency Plan

Address:
Emergency Contact & Phone #:
Muster Point:
Emergency Procedures for Staff

Upon discovery of Fire:

• Leave the fire area immediately and close doors.
• Sound Fire Alarm (activate pull station).
• While evacuating, call 911 from a safe location and provide information asked by dispatcher.
• Leave building via nearest exit.

Upon hearing Fire Alarm:

• Leave building via nearest exit.
• Close doors behind you.
• Call 911 from a safe location.

Emergency Procedures for Supervisory Staff

Upon Discovery of Fire:

• Alert occupants.
• Leave fire area immediately and close the doors behind you.
• Sound fire alarm and follow the alarm supervisory procedures.
• Call 911 from a safe location.
• Exit the building via stairs to the closest exit.
• Meet at Muster Point previously agreed upon.

Upon Hearing Fire Alarm:

• Notify 911.
• Ensure that the other occupants have been notified of the emergency conditions.
• If it is safe to do so, supervise the evacuation of all occupants, including those whom require assistance.
• Upon arrival of Fire Department, inform officer in command of the conditions in the building and coordinate the efforts of the supervisory staff with those of the Fire Department.
• Provide access to vital information to the fire department as to the location of persons, master list, and master keys for this building.

Here is an example of the type of information you should include in your evacuation plan. Please adjust to suit the specific needs of your business/location.

Emergency Plan

Address:
Emergency Contact & Phone #:
Muster Point:

If You Discover a Fire:

1. Activate the Fire Alarm - Call 911 (Fire Department) and provide the following information:

• Exact physical address
• Building #, room #, area, floor level
• Type of emergency (ie. Fire, chemical spill etc.)
• Severity of situation

2. Close any doors or windows that may restrict emergency if it is safe to do so. Extinguish fire - only if you can do so safely and quickly

If Fire Cannot be Extinguished:

• Leave building via nearest exit.
• Activate nearest fire alarm

At the Sound of the Alarm:

• Exit the building through the nearest emergency exit
• Alert and assist others in leaving the building
• Do not delay in collecting personal possessions
• Do not push or overtake
• Proceed to the designated emergency assembly area /muster point
• Remain at the assembly area/muster point and ensure everyone is accounted for
• Do not re-enter the building until you are advised that it is safe to do so

Emergency Phone Numbers:

Fire, Rescue, Dangerous Goods, Ambulance, Police: 911

• Power: (xxx).xxx.xxxx
• Water: (xxx).xxx.xxxx
• Gas: (xxx).xxx.xxxx

NOTE: When creating your plan, include the following:

1. Create a floor plan showing exits, alarm pull stations, and fire extinguishers.
2. Ensure that the location of the assembly area is shown on the floor plan.
3. Include a legend to easily identify exits.

Step 1 – Request an Occupancy Load Inspection

Book a business fire inspection by completing this online form. Someone from the fire team will reach out to you via email, within three business days to schedule the inspection.

Step 2 – Prepare for the Inspection

Prepare for the inspection prior to the scheduled inspection date:

• Ensure you have an up-to-date floor plan to provide the Fire Inspector at time of inspection.

Step 3 – Conducting the Inspection

• Ensure you are available for the entire hour that is scheduled for the occupancy load inspection.
• If there is a fire emergency during the time of your fire inspection, a member of the Fire-Rescue team will contact you to reschedule as quickly as possible.