SASKATOON – Five people have learned not to tamper with fire safety equipment. The five were convicted of tampering with a fire alarm system or portable fire extinguisher over the past two years in Saskatoon and fined between $580 and $2,100.
They were identified through surveillance video and other investigative methods. More charges are pending against others.
Officials with the Saskatoon Fire Department say they have responded to a number of false alarms where people have activated fire alarm systems or discharged fire extinguishers.
Not only is this a concern for firefighters, but it could be putting the public at risk.
Officials say people who live in buildings where fire alarms are falsely pulled sometimes assume it is false and ignore the alarm. This can put lives in jeopardy if there is a real fire and the alarm is ignored.
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Along with fires, firefighters respond to many different emergencies. False alarms tie up resources and can hinder response times to real emergencies.
Under The Fire Prevention Act, a person can be fined up to $10,000 for tampering with a smoke alarm or fire alarm system, tamper with or discharge a fire extinguisher, block or obstruct an exit, or prop open fire separation doors, including suite and stairwell doors.
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