Company fined $270K, president fined $30K for Alberta Fire Code violations

Premium Fire Protection Ltd., based in Okotoks, Alta., has been found guilty of 15 fire code violations after using unqualified staff during installations. (file)

This story has been updated to include a breakdown of the charges Premium Fire Protection entered guilty pleas to, as well as the charges that were withdrawn or dismissed.

An Alberta company has agreed to pay $270,000 in fines and its president has agreed to pay $30,000 in fines for violations of the province's fire code.

Premium Fire Protection Ltd. will pay $225,000 in fines plus a 20 per cent victim surcharge for 15 counts under the Safety Codes Act and company president Kurt Bertrand has agreed to pay $25,000 in fines plus a 20 per cent victim surcharge for four counts under the Safety Codes Act for violations under the Alberta Fire Code.

The 15 violation convictions included failure to ensure "only duly qualified person" tested or maintained fire systems at:

• Sobeys McKenzie Towne at 20 McKenzie Towne Ave. S.E. on Jan. 16, 2018, March 22, 2018 and July 3, 2018
• Real Canadian Superstore at 7020 Fourth St. N.W. on Jan. 17, 2018, July 19, 2018 and Jan. 30, 2019
• Real Canadian Superstore at 4700 130th Ave. S.E. on Jan. 16, 2019
• Denny's at 138 Crowfoot Way N.W. on Aug. 7, 2018
• Country Hills Toyota at 20 Freeport Landing N.E. on Dec. 20, 2018 (both main and used sales buildings)
• Sunridge Nissan at 3131 32nd Ave. N.E on Feb. 21, 2019
• Lakeview IGA at 6449 Crowchild Trail S.W. on March 6, 2017
• Shoppers Drug Mart at 620 McKenzie Towne Drive S.E. on April 6, 2018
• Silverado Dental Wellness at 19369 Sheriff King Street S.E. on May 15, 2018
• Silverado Dental Wellness within the Lakeview IGA at 6449 Crowchild Trail S.W. on Dec. 14, 2018

Several of the charges against Premium Fire and Bertrand involving the alleged use of unqualified workers were dropped or withdrawn including charges related to:

• The installation of a special fire suppression system at the Real Canadian Superstore at 4700 130th Ave. S.E. on March, 5, 2019
• Maintenance of a special fire suppression system at Chuck E. Cheese at 2612 32nd St. N.E. on April 30, 2019
• The installation of a special fire suppression system at Food Truck Canada at 8800 Venture Ave. S.E. on May 8, 2018, Aug. 29, 2018 and April 17, 2019
• The testing of the fire alarm systems at Lakeview IGA at 6449 Crowchild Trail S.W. on Dec. 14, 2018
• The testing of the fire alarm systems at Silverado Dental Wellness within the Lakeview IGA at 6449 Crowchild Trail S.W. on May 15, 2018
• The testing of the fire alarm systems at Sobeys McKenzie Towne at 20 Mckenzie Towne Ave. S.E. on March 22, 2018.

"This case underlines the importance of adhering to the Fire Code and ensuring that any work on life safety systems is completed by qualified and certified individuals," said Deputy Chief Ken Uzeloc of the Calgary Fire Department.

"These rules protect Calgarians from risk and potential harm – the choice to ignore them must carry a consequence."

The charges followed an intensive investigation by fire safety codes officers related to the installation of life safety systems by unqualified and uncertified employees.These systems include fire alarms, sprinkler systems, special suppression systems and fire extinguishers.

Companies and workers providing life safety system services are responsible to comply with all requirements of the Alberta Fire Code.  Under the Safety Codes Act, a fine amount for a first offence can be up to $100,000 and up to a maximum of $500,000 for subsequent offences and/or imprisonment.

More information on life safety systems can be found online.

A total of 65 charges had been laid against Bertrand, Premium Fire Protection and 10 of the company's employees. This story only includes the outcome of the charges against Bertrand and the company.