Residents undertaking home improvement projects this summer can minimize the risk of fire by following recommendations to keep themselves, their families and their communities safe.
COQUITLAM, B.C., June 24, 2024 – Residents undertaking home improvement projects this summer can minimize the risk of fire by following recommendations to keep themselves, their families and their communities safe.
Over the summer months, construction and renovation projects have a greater risk of fire and its impacts due to hot, dry conditions. Key preventative measures, such as using fire resistant-rated construction materials, reduce the risk of fire and can act as a fire break. This can reduce a fire’s spread and slow down the amount of time it takes for a home to burn.
Prevent Fires during Construction
- Ensure adequate fire protection protocols are in place during construction including hot-works safety practices for welding, roofing and plumbing installations. Construction fire safety plans are required.
- Use fire resistant-rated roof materials, such as concrete tile, or metal.
- Build decks with non-combustible or fire-resistant materials covered with solid surfaces instead of slotted surfaces that allow needles and other flammable materials to accumulate below the deck.
- Ensure that outdoor structures, such as gazebos, are at least nine metres away from the house or other structures.
- Keep flammable debris such as building materials, solvents and lumber at least 10 metres away from the home.
- Do not litter cigarette butts or do any outdoor burning.
All homeowners should check if there are any special requirements on their property regarding the use of materials and design approaches prior to renovations.
Use Landscaping to Reduce Fire Risk
Homes next to forests and wildlands are particularly at risk of wildfire spread between vegetation and structures.
- Where possible, refrain from planting or landscaping with highly-flammable trees such as evergreens and bark-mulch, opting instead for FireSmart™ choices like deciduous shrubs or trees, succulent plants, and slow-growing plants that have thick, woody stems. Use decorative rock mulch or lava stones around any shrubbery that is within two metres of your house.
- Use gardens and flower beds as effective fire breaks.
For more safety information, visit coquitlam.ca/InterfaceFire.
Don’t Let Our Parks Go Up in Smoke
Coquitlam Fire/Rescue is asking residents to take steps that can both reduce and limit the risk of fire in our community by adhering to City bylaws that ban open air burning, littering cigarette butts and smoking in parks.
The City’s Bylaw Enforcement Officers patrol green spaces and parks and may issue $500 fines for smoking, including vaping and cannabis, in City parks. Littering of cigarette butts can also result in a fine of $150.
All residents and park users are asked to take precautions against accidental fires and be alert to signs of fire. Report any signs of smoke or fire by calling 9-1-1 immediately.
For more summer safety information, visit coquitlam.ca/SummerFireSafety.
Media contact:
Scott Young
Fire Chief
Coquitlam Fire/Rescue
firerescue@coquitlam.ca
604-927-6400
We acknowledge with gratitude and respect that the name Coquitlam was derived from the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ (HUN-kuh-MEE-num) word kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (kwee-KWET-lum) meaning “Red Fish Up the River”. The City is honoured to be located on the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm traditional and ancestral lands, including those parts that were historically shared with the q̓ic̓əy̓ (kat-zee), and other Coast Salish Peoples.