Latest news with #FireSafetyAct
Cision Canada
28-05-2025
- Climate
- Cision Canada
Forest fires - Ban on open fires in or near forests
QUEBEC CITY, May 27, 2025 /CNW/ - The Ministère de la Sécurité publique (MSP) will prohibit open fires in or near certain forests as of May 28 at 8:00 a.m. due to current conditions. This decision has been made in collaboration with SOPFEU. Here is a map showing the location of the entire territory in question: The ban on open fires applies in the following territories: NORD-DU-QUÉBEC : Jamésie (991), Eeyou Istchee (Waswanipi, Mistissini, Oujé-Bougoumou, Chisasibi, Eastmain, Nemiscau, Waskaganish, Wemindji) (993). CÔTE-NORD : La Haute-Côte-Nord (95), Manicouagan (96), Sept-Rivières (971), Caniapiscau (972), Minganie (981), Le Golfe-du-Saint-Laurent (982). SAGUENAY–LAC-SAINT-JEAN : Le Domaine-du-Roy (91), Maria-Chapdelaine (92), Lac-Saint-Jean-Est (93), Saguenay (941), Le Fjord-du-Saguenay (942). ABITIBI-TÉMISCAMINGUE : Rouyn-Noranda (86), Abitibi-Ouest (87), Abitibi (88), La Vallée-de-l'Or (89). MAURICIE : La Tuque (90) for its portion located north of latitude 48°. BAS-SAINT-LAURENT : La Matanie (08). GASPÉSIE–ÎLES-DE-LA-MADELEINE : Le Rocher-Percé (02), La Côte-de-Gaspé (03), La Haute-Gaspésie (04), Bonaventure (05). The map encompassing the various territories in question is also available on the Forest Fires web page. Currently, 1 fire is burning in Québec. Since the start of the protection season, 96 forest fires have impacted 106.8 hectares. The average for the last 10 years at the same date is 183 fires for an area of 199.1 hectares. The aim of this ban is to limit the risk of forest fires. Everyone's cooperation is essential. Under section 155.1 of the Fire Safety Act, anyone who contravenes an order prohibiting the lighting of open fires in or near a forest, or any other measure imposed by the Minister, is liable to a fine in addition to the costs incurred. For further information Forest Fires web page and the SOPFEU website. SOURCE Cabinet du ministre de la Sécurité publique
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Forest fires - Ban on open fires in or near forests
QUEBEC CITY, May 27, 2025 /CNW/ - The Ministère de la Sécurité publique (MSP) will prohibit open fires in or near certain forests as of May 28 at 8:00 a.m. due to current conditions. This decision has been made in collaboration with SOPFEU. Here is a map showing the location of the entire territory in question: The ban on open fires applies in the following territories: NORD-DU-QUÉBEC : Jamésie (991), Eeyou Istchee (Waswanipi, Mistissini, Oujé-Bougoumou, Chisasibi, Eastmain, Nemiscau, Waskaganish, Wemindji) (993). CÔTE-NORD : La Haute-Côte-Nord (95), Manicouagan (96), Sept-Rivières (971), Caniapiscau (972), Minganie (981), Le Golfe-du-Saint-Laurent (982). SAGUENAY–LAC-SAINT-JEAN : Le Domaine-du-Roy (91), Maria-Chapdelaine (92), Lac-Saint-Jean-Est (93), Saguenay (941), Le Fjord-du-Saguenay (942). ABITIBI-TÉMISCAMINGUE : Rouyn-Noranda (86), Abitibi-Ouest (87), Abitibi (88), La Vallée-de-l'Or (89). MAURICIE : La Tuque (90) for its portion located north of latitude 48°. BAS-SAINT-LAURENT : La Matanie (08). GASPÉSIE–ÎLES-DE-LA-MADELEINE : Le Rocher-Percé (02), La Côte-de-Gaspé (03), La Haute-Gaspésie (04), Bonaventure (05). The map encompassing the various territories in question is also available on the Forest Fires web page. Currently, 1 fire is burning in Québec. Since the start of the protection season, 96 forest fires have impacted 106.8 hectares. The average for the last 10 years at the same date is 183 fires for an area of 199.1 hectares. The aim of this ban is to limit the risk of forest fires. Everyone's cooperation is essential. Under section 155.1 of the Fire Safety Act, anyone who contravenes an order prohibiting the lighting of open fires in or near a forest, or any other measure imposed by the Minister, is liable to a fine in addition to the costs incurred. For further information For information on current bans or forest fires, please consult the Gouvernement du Québec's Forest Fires web page and the SOPFEU website. To find out more about MSP activities, follow us on social media: SOURCE Cabinet du ministre de la Sécurité publique View original content to download multimedia:
Hindustan Times
30-04-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Chandigarh: Stiffer fine for unpaid water bills in pipeline
In an effort to ensure timely payment of water bills and boost its revenue in one fell swoop, the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation (MC) is planning to hike the penalty imposed for bills not cleared even after two months. The agenda will be discussed in the MC General House meeting on Wednesday, along with other crucial agendas, including hike in parking rates under the proposed Smart Parking project and a new Fire Safety Act for Chandigarh, among others. 'As per the Chandigarh Water Supply Bylaws, 2011, amended from time to time, a penalty is levied on consumers for delayed payment of water bill. The same surcharge (fine) is added in the next bill for delayed payment. However, there is no provision for compound surcharge on unpaid water bills due to non-payment in consecutive cycles, which leads to persistent default by some consumers,' MC officials said in the agenda. To plug this revenue leak, MC is proposing a 10% compound surcharge on every water bill unpaid even after two months. For perspective, if a consumer gets ₹100 as water bill every month, ₹10 (10% of the bill) is charged as penalty if the bill remains unpaid for a month. In the next cycle, the bill will rise to ₹210 ( ₹100 from last month plus ₹10 as penalty and ₹100 from current bill). However, if the bill still remains unpaid, the total next month will soar to ₹331 ( ₹210 arrears plus ₹21 as compound penalty and ₹100 from current bill). The move aims to ensure timely clearance of water bills, a major source of revenue for the civic body, besides property tax and garbage fee, said an MC official. Also on agenda today During the Wednesday meeting, the civic body will also discuss its plan to revive the Smart Parking Project with steeper parking charges. As per the proposal, the first 15 minutes shall be free across 84 parking lots of the city — a move aimed to encourage quick departure of short-stay visitors. Thereon, four-wheelers will be charged ₹20 for up to four hours of parking — a sharp increase from the existing ₹14 — while two-wheelers will pay ₹10 instead of ₹7. A special rate of ₹85 for the first four hours has been proposed for the parking lots near Elante Mall, Fun Republic and Piccadily Square, making parking there most expensive in the city. MC will also deliberate on its proposal of adopting a new Fire Safety Act, making fire safety clearance mandatory for buildings with a height of 9 metres or above. MC is also proposing to hire a public sector firm to manage the city's horticulture waste. Meanwhile, the Congress councillors plan to corner the BJP-led MC over the sharp hike in property tax. 'Demanding a complete roll-back of the property tax imposed by the Chandigarh administration in collaboration with the BJP, Congress councillors will voice their protest strongly and unequivocally during the House meeting. Although the tax was partially reduced following public backlash, the Congress party maintains that the revision is inadequate and does not serve the interests of the general public,' said city Congress president HS Lucky.
Hindustan Times
29-04-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Chandigarh MC proposes new Act to bring more buildings under fire safety norms
In a move to bring more buildings under fire safety regulations, the Chandigarh municipal corporation (MC) is proposing the adoption of a new Fire Safety Act, making fire safety clearance mandatory for buildings with a height of 9 metres or above. The proposal will be tabled for discussion during the general house meeting scheduled for April 30 (Wednesday). Currently, the Delhi Fire Prevention and Fire Safety Act, 1986, is applicable in Chandigarh. This Act mandates fire safety certificates (FSC) only for buildings taller than 15 metres (high-rises). However, MC officials pointed out that even the Delhi government has repealed this legislation and replaced it with the Delhi Fire Service Act, 2007. To adopt Haryana Fire & Emergency Service Act, 2022 Given Chandigarh's unique character, with its many heritage buildings, the stringent provisions under the current Act have often resulted in non-compliance with fire safety norms. Recognising the need for a more tailored law, the civic body's committee conducted a detailed review of fire safety legislation in neighbouring states, including Punjab and Haryana. After extensive deliberations and suggestions from committee members, the MC is now proposing to adopt the Haryana Fire and Emergency Service Act, 2022, (Extension to Chandigarh) Act, 2025. Under the proposed Act, the MC seeks to lower the threshold for mandatory fire safety clearance from 15 metres to 9 metres. Fire safety certificates or no-objection certificates (NOCs) will also be compulsory for all high-rise buildings—except residential buildings up to a height of 16.5 metres—and for special buildings such as hotels, business centres, mercantile buildings, industrial units, storage facilities, hazardous buildings, and mixed-occupancy structures with a floor area exceeding 200 square metres on any one or more floors. Additionally, educational and institutional buildings taller than 9 metres, all assembly buildings with an incidental assembly area exceeding 300 square metres on any floor, and buildings with two or more basements—or a single basement larger than 100 square metres—will require fire safety clearances, unless otherwise specifically exempted. At present, buildings with an area exceeding 500 square metres are mandated to get the NOCs. For the first time, the chief fire officer or any other authorised official will be empowered to seize goods or objects that pose a fire risk or obstruct firefighting operations. Strict action against encroachers has also been incorporated into the new Act. Also, to ensure strict compliance with the proposed law, violations could attract penalties, including imprisonment for up to three months, a fine of up to ₹50,000, or both. 'No change in NOC rules under National Building Code' Besides fire safety acts, the states and union territories of India also implement the fire safety rules, as recommended by the National Building Code (NBC). The NBC is a comprehensive document that covers detailed guidelines for construction, maintenance and fire safety of the structures. The NBC has also made fire safety certificates mandatory for residential buildings where over 20 people stay. To obtain the no objection certificate (NOC), the NBC mandates fire extinguishers on all floors, automated sprinkler system, escape routes sans obstruction, natural ventilation and lighting, and furniture with flame-resistant material. However, the stringent NBC norms are impractical for heritage buildings, which are not suited to accommodate the prescribed fire safety modifications. Due to this, the buildings, even when they wish to, are not able to comply with the rules and get NOC in Chandigarh. There are around 420 high-rise buildings in Chandigarh with 15 metres height and above but most of them are heritage structures, including buildings in the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Panjab University (PU), UT secretariat, police headquarters and others. The buildings are presently running without fire safety certificates, posing a risk to the lives of thousands of people, as the heritage structures cannot be altered, demolished, or extensively renovated to meet the NBC guidelines. MC officials said, 'Though the norms required for NOCs will remain the same as per NBC, we are working on making it a bit relaxed, looking at special cases. Also, the new law gives power to the UT administrator to make new rules after notification in official gazetted.'
