Montreal Schools Fined $217K for False Fire Alarms
MONTREAL—Since the implementation of a new city bylaw designed to reduce false fire alarms, Montreal Island schools have reported more than 406 false alarms from February 2009 to July 2010.
As a result, false fire alarms will cost Montreal Island schools more than $217,000.
The bylaw, which took effect last year, indicates that schools and other high-risk properties will receive a warning for the first alarm. However, after that, fines are escalated ($250, $750 and $2,700) for repeat incidents, reports the Montreal Gazette.
Of the 406 false alarms reported, 189 resulted in a fine; the other 217 instances were considered first time offenders. Additionally, 158 of those alarms had defects in alarm system parts.
Though many school board officials believe they should take responsibility for false alarms if equipment hasn’t been maintained, some are questioning if they should pay fines when students are the cause of false alarms. As it stands, a total of 126 fire alarms were set off intentionally.
Some schools have been able to reduce false alarms by installing a box device on manual alarms, according to the news source. The device sounds a local alarm drawing attention to where the alarm was activated.
The Commission Scolaire de Montreal (CSDM), the largest district in the province, received $86,750 in fines. In an effort to combat false alarms, the district has started an awareness campaign to inform students, parents and staff about the bylaw. A CSDM student will be fined $250 if he/she is considered the source of a false alarm.
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