The owners of the Holy Cross Centre in southwest Calgary are facing a long list of charges for violating Alberta’s fire safety codes.

Enterprise Universal Inc. and owners Peter and Ian Huang face nine charges for violations at the building relating to their fire and sprinkler systems.

The charges were laid by the Calgary Fire Department on Monday.

“Their record keeping for a couple of years is non-compliant and their service of those systems was non-compliant,” say Brad Lorne of the Calgary Fire Department.

They've been charged with:

  • two counts of failure to maintain the Fire Alarm system in compliance with the Alberta Fire Code;
  • two counts of failure to provide records of Fire Alarm maintenance in compliance with the Alberta Fire Code;
  • two counts of failure to maintain a Sprinkler System in compliance with the Alberta Fire Code;
  • two counts of failure to provide records of Sprinkler System maintenance in compliance with the Alberta Fire Code;
  • one count of failure to ensure means of egress is provided in compliance with the Alberta Fire Code.

This is also not the first time the company has been hit with such charges.

In 2008, the company pleaded guility to charges of not complying with a safety officer’s order, paying a $30,000 fine.

At the time, the company said it had learned its lesson, but the fire department says they must have forgotten what they learned.

Enterprise Universal issued a statement on Monday afternoon, saying:

"We've been advised of the charges. We'll be vigorously defending against them and believe we will be fully exonerated. The building is and always has been safe and the fire safety system is functional and has its verification certificate."

Critics of the private health care system say that if the charges are held up in court, it proves that private health care puts money ahead of patient safety.

The company insists that it has upgraded its fire panels and safety system to reflect the latest technology.

They are expected in court on August 1.

If they are found guilty, the company could be penalized with fines of up to $30,000 per charge.