Richmond’s New Safety Inspection Program - Combating Fire and Safety Risks
30 July 2007
Beginning July 30, 2007, Richmond’s Fire-Rescue department will have a new tool to combat fire and safety risks associated with excessive use of electricity in residential homes – one that will make Richmond neighbourhoods safer.
The Electrical and Fire Safety Inspection program, developed under the new BC Safety Standards Act legislation, provides a means for Richmond Fire-Rescue to receive information from BC Hydro on residential properties which consume excessive levels of electricity. From this information, electrical inspections can be performed to ensure there are no safety risks.
The program was created in response to a significant increase in the number of marijuana grow-ops in residential neighbourhoods in BC, and will also address any unusually high electricity use which can cause safety risks such as fire and electrocution. For instance, marijuana grow-ops almost always involve unsafe electrical alterations that pose significant public safety risks.
The primary objectives of Richmond’s program are to protect life, preserve property and enhance community safety. The program focuses on fire safety concerns, not criminal prosecution.
The primary benefits of the program are that it will:
- Reduce the risk of injury or loss of life to home occupants, neighbours and emergency responders.
- Prevent fires caused by unsafe alterations, which can include electrical, gas and/or structural alterations all contributing to increased fire risk.
- Enhance community safety by:
- Reducing the number of grow-ops
- Reducing the number of residential structural fires
- Reducing residential electrical hazards that could lead to electrocution.
- Increasing public awareness regarding the dangers associated with high electrical consumption.
The program focuses only on residential properties where high electrical consumption data has been received from BC Hydro. Only consumption data that exceeds a normal range will be assessed and the average consumer will not appear in the data. Data received from BC Hydro will not be made public, as Federal privacy laws govern the City of Richmond.
The inspection process begins once Richmond Fire-Rescue determines an inspection is needed. An inspection notice is delivered to the homeowner indicating access is required into the home within 48 hours. The inspection notice will inform the homeowner that they must call the Inspection office to schedule an inspection appointment within 48 hours of the Inspectors’ initial visit. Failure to comply may result in the disconnection of electrical services. The electrical inspection will determine if the electrical systems are in compliance with BC Electrical Code and if fire hazards are present. If they are not, corrective action must be taken based on the severity of the inspection findings. Appropriate actions can include issuance of a 7 day electrical repair order, disconnection of electrical and/or gas services or issuance of a “No Occupancy” order that prohibits habitation of the home until such time as the premises have been repaired.
A $3,500 Special Safety Inspection Fee applies to all homes inspected through this program. The program will be self-funding, as the Special Safety Inspection fee charged will cover the program’s start-up and annual operational costs.
The City’s strategy and operating procedures for the program are based on the City of Richmond’s Property Maintenance & Repair Bylaw (Bylaw No. 7897).
For more information, please visit the Electrical Safety page.
