There’s been a lot of concern in the community about house fires, abandoned properties and safety concerns around demolition sites. This newsletter addresses these issues.
If you have thoughts on how we can do better, send an email to astevens@regina.ca or give me a shout at 306-570-1402. Let me know what you would like to see included in the next Ward 3 e-newsletter.
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When a house fire happens, what happens next? |
Under the direction of the Fire Marshal, the Regina Fire & Protective Services (RFPS) Prevention Unit is mandated by provincial legislation (the Fire Safety Act) to investigate all fires and explosions within the City of Regina.
Fire Investigators secure structural fire and explosion scenes to ensure public safety and the investigation’s ongoing operation, as required by the Regina Fire Bylaw and Provincial Fire Safety Act. Scene security entails physically boarding up the structure to prevent unauthorized entry. If the structure is severely damaged, a security perimeter fence will be installed.
If the fire or explosion is determined to be accidental, the scene is returned to the owner after the investigation is complete. If the incident is criminal in nature (arson), RFPS Investigators contact Regina Police Service and turn over all relevant information to the Officer assigned.
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What steps are required to demolish the home after a fire (City bylaws, legislated restrictions, appeal process, inspections)?
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The steps necessary to demolish a home following a fire depend on the extent of the damage, public safety, insurance, and the owner. Once a house is deemed safe for entry, insurance adjusters are given adequate time to complete their work, and the owner has an opportunity to remediate the structure.
Immediate safety concerns or ongoing maintenance issues may be addressed by the Fire and Protective Services Branch (Fire Safety Act), Building Standards Branch (Uniform Building and Accessibility Standards Act) or Bylaw Enforcement Branch (Cities Act). These areas collaborate to find the best path forward using the enforcement and appeal processes outlined in each piece of legislation. This can sometimes be a complex and lengthy process. It’s essential to ensure property owners’ rights are fully respected.
If demolition is ordered and an appeal is denied, and the demolition is not undertaken by the owner, the City has the option to contract the work and charge the full cost to the homeowner’s property tax. Currently, there are no penalties or fees if the work is not completed by the homeowner.
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What are the rules governing demolishing buildings? |
All building demolitions require a City of Regina permit. The Building Bylaw gives 30 days for the applicant to complete a residential demolition permit. However, it does not obligate the applicant to pursue or complete the work as long as the site is safe or unless the demolition is required by a legal order under the applicable legislation.
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What requirements are in place to check for asbestos?
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The safe handling requirements pertaining to asbestos are found in the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Regulations and are enforced at a provincial level. The OHS Regulations outline direction for identification and abatement of asbestos, among other items. Due to higher risk of hazardous materials, the City of Regina also requires a hazardous materials assessment by a qualified consultant prior to the demolition of commercial buildings.
For all construction and demolition, regardless if a City permit is required, it is the responsibly of the homeowner and contractor to identify hazardous materials before their renovation begins. If the construction is older than 1990, it is recommended to speak to a qualified asbestos testing and abatement contractor prior to renovating. Residents can learn more about provincial regulations on asbestos by visiting Sakatchewan.ca.
The City of Regina Landfill is certified to dispose asbestos safely but there are additional restrictions on how the material must be transported and received. An additional landfill fee and permit are required to dispose of asbestos as well. More information can be found by visiting the City of Regina Landfill Webpage.
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What rules are in place regarding boarded-up and abandoned houses? |
The regulations pertaining to boarded-up homes are found in the Community Standards Bylaw and are currently being reviewed by City Administration. That said, if an unoccupied building’s exterior doors, windows, or other exterior openings are damaged, broken, or otherwise in disrepair, a designated Bylaw Enforcement Officer may order the property owner to board up all exterior openings as a temporary measure to prevent unauthorized entry. After 90 calendar days, the boards should be removed, and all windows and doors replaced or repaired.
A property is not in violation of any City bylaw simply because it is abandoned or vacant. However, owners of unoccupied homes are required to comply with municipal bylaws related to overgrown vegetation, untidy and unsightly lots.
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Why are there so many house fires in certain neighbourhoods (i.e., North Central)? What are the leading causes? What’s been done to prevent these fires?
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Socio-economic factors play a part in the cluster of fires in North Central. Arson fires in Regina are primarily caused by gang activities. Regina Fire & Protective Services use aggressive investigation and prosecution as the primary tool in the fight against arson. Over the last two decades, public education programs such as “Learn not to Burn” have targeted youth through schools to teach them about the dangers of fires and how to stay safe around them. In addition, a past increase in the number of residential fires prompted a greater focus on educating residents on cooking fires. As a result, the stats on accidental fires have been steadily declining in recent years.
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Your Ward 3 Councillor
Andrew Stevens
Mailing Address:
c/o Andrew Stevens
City of Regina
PO Box 1790
2476 Victoria Avenue
Regina, Saskatchewan S4P 3C8
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