The Estevan Fire Rescue Service recently received a few calls from the bylaw officer, who informed them about issues appearing because of the COVID-19 pandemic and affecting the fire safety in the city.
The first problem arose that due to the current pandemic, many restaurants and stores turned to the curbside pickup option.
“It was brought to our attention that a lot of people, whether by grocery stores or by restaurants, were utilizing fire lanes for these curbside pickups,” said Estevan Fire Chief Dale Feser.
“This is definitely frowned upon, as we want to make sure that the fire lanes are open when an emergency occurs so the emergency (crews) can park there.”
The fire chief reminded the public that regardless of the pandemic, people have to observe all local bylaws, fire and building quotas, and fire lanes have to be left open at all times.
Another problem posing a threat to the public's safety that has recently occurred due to the pandemic became obvious when firefighters were responding to fire alarms going off in apartment or condominium complexes.
“We noted that there are a lot of fire-rated separation doors that were propped open, the emergency exit stairwells,” said Feser.
The building operators explained that they took that measure because of the pandemic to limit the number of people touching door handles and surfaces.
“We do sympathize with that, however, these fire-rated separating doors are there for a reason, for the safety of the occupants. So in the event of an emergency, it prevents smoke and flame from migrating into the exit stairwells. That way the occupants of the building can safely exit the building,” said Feser.
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, these doors must remain closed at all times for the safety of the occupants.
Feser suggested that people can either install electromagnetic hold-open devices tight into fire-alarm panel systems or wrap up the cleaning process on the surfaces that are being touched.
But the fire safety measures should be followed at all times.
