Tech-News & Views

DECEMBER 2019

“With a fascist the problem is never how best
to present the truth to the public but how best
to use the news to deceive the public into giving
the fascist and his group more money or more power.”
-- Henry A. Wallace
 

TWO ALBERTA FIRE PROTECTION TECHNICIANS PLEAD GUILTY TO FIRE CODE VIOLATIONS!

Calgary, Alberta - In a landmark case for our industry, two (2) Alberta-based fire protection technicians have pleaded guilty to performing work on building fire protection systems while unqualified to do so.  The Calgary Herald’s news story highlights a disturbing corporate culture where profit was frequently put before safety.  The two technicians, Dustan Kurz and Clint Maton both worked for Premium Fire Protection Ltd., whose head office is in Okotoks, Alberta.  The company itself is facing sixty-five (65) charges for Alberta Fire Code violations.

“There were repercussions for refusing to do work for Premium Fire Protection Ltd.,” City of Calgary prosecuter Paul Frank, reading from a court document, told Judge Paul Mason during Dustan Kurz’s proceeding.  “In response to his concerns about being unqualified to do work on life safety systems, Dustan Kurz was told by Steve Butler, the general manager of Premium Fire Protection Ltd. ‘that if I don’t like it, f**k off and work somewhere else.’”  (Calgary Herald - November 28, 2019)

In his statement to Provincial Court, Clint Maton told the Judge that threats and intimidation were used frequently when any employee raised concerns about doing unqualified work.  Mr. Maton had also been told that he didn’t need to be concerned about his lack of qualifications because Premium Fire’s owner, Kurt Bertrand, was the one actually signing off on the work.

Clint Maton has been ordered to pay $4600.00 in fines, and Dustan Kurz has been fined $5750.00.

LINKS AND INFORMATION ON SPRINKLER HEAD TESTING!

Surrey, British Columbia - We’ve added some information for building owners and fire protection service providers regarding the required sprinkler head testing mandated in NFPA 25.  For buildings that have a large number of quick response type heads installed, the service life for these units is twenty (20) years.  You can either replace all the heads or submit some random samples for testing by UL.  The information for this is available on our TOOLS page.  We’ll update our FAQ to include this as well.

ONTARIO ASSOCIATION OF FIRE INVESTIGATORS IS HOSTING A “BARN BURNING” WEBINAR.  DON’T MISS IT!

Toronto, Ontario - Just to clarify, the webinar is NOT about how to “burn a barn”, and likely won’t actually feature a “barn burning”, but you just never know.  Mark December 11, 2019 on your calendars!

https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/7354514933552730381

REMINDER!  HEAT DETECTOR RECALL!

Owen Sound, Ontario - Chubb (Edwards) is the focus of a massive heat detector recall by Health Canada.  The ubiquitous 280 series of detectors have experienced a number of failures in the field, and Chubb has announced a recall programme that will partially fund a replacement unit and the labour to install it.  Heat detectors must be serviced/replaced by trained technicians or a licensed electrical contractor.  More information on this recall (and the Chubb sponsored replacement program) can be found at this link:

https://healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/hc-sc/2019/70945r-eng.php

Please ensure you visit our Bulletins page frequently for updates that include important notices, tips, and other information relating to the equipment you are testing.  ULC has issued a number of recall notices that relate to counterfeit sprinkler heads.  Their page is located at https://www.firetechs.net/library/ulc.asp

QUICK LINKS!

AHJ Training Courses are being offered by two (2) Canadian national associations:

• The Canadian Fire Alarm Association (CFAA) - Please visit their website (link below) for information on one being held in your area.
• The Fire Technicians Network (FTN) - Feel free to visit our Training Centre for available dates and cities!  To make arrangements for us to present our two day Course Programme in YOUR municipality, please Contact Us for details!
   

Canadian Fire Alarm Technician Certification:

• The Canadian Fire Alarm Association (CFAA) website is at http://www.cfaa.ca
• Learn more about a Fire Technicians Network National Certification Programme

Fire Protection Equipment Technicians (Extinguisher Service):

• Transport Canada website  is at http://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/saf-sec-sur/3/fdr-rici/cylinder/requalifier.aspx
• Warnock Hersey (Intertek) website is at http://www.intertek.com/iqp/ahj/
   

Fire Protection Equipment Technicians (British Columbia):

• The Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of British Columbia (ASTTBC) website is located at http://www.fireprotection.asttbc.org

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