Perth-Wellington MPP Randy Pettapiece has put forward a proposal that could save the lives of firefighters in Ontario.
Pettapiece is working on a private member’s bill that would require most commercial and industrial buildings, as well as apartment complexes of three or more units, to display an emblem alerting fire crews if the building was erected using truss and lightweight construction.
According to a press release from the MPP’s office, truss – and lightweight-type construction is used in almost every new home and in building renovations. The term generally refers to construction using building components that bear the weight of the building with a minimum amount of materials, rather than “overbuilding.”
The release states tests conducted by the National Research Council Canada show that the times to reach structural failure during a fire in a building with truss and lightweight construction are 35 to 60% shorter than for solid wood joist assembly. Structural failure can happen in as little as six minutes.
Pettapiece modeled his bill after a bylaw passed in the City of Stratford, which requires buildings using truss and lightweight construction to post an emblem by their door. Municipalities including West Perth, Perth East and Perth South have passed similar bylaws.
In developing the bill, Pettapiece said he worked closely on the bill with fire chiefs from across Perth-Wellington, including Chris Harrow (Minto), John Paradis (Stratford), Bill Hunter (Perth East and West Perth) and Ed Smith (North Perth). He also credited the work of firefighter Mike Lukachko, who championed the initiative in Stratford.
Mapleton’s fire department and building department are both supporting the initiative and a report from local Fire Chief Rick Richardson was before township council at the Aug. 23 meeting, recommending councillors add their endorsement.
It’s an initiative that is well worthy of support and our local MPP should be commended for recognizing a serious problem and taking appropriate action.
