Fire-code Fines for not following the province’s fire code are rising substantially under a wider review of the province’s worker-safety legislation, Manitoba’s Labour and Immigration minister said Monday.

Increased penalties under the Workplace Safety and Health Act and recently introduced legislation to protect workers.

“Maximum fines would increase to $125,000

from $1,000 for a first offence”

“We’re committed to making sure our workers are safe,” Braun said.

She said the new penalties for fire-code offences will help ensure more timely compliance with orders.

Under changes introduced Monday to the Fires Prevention and Emergency Response Act, maximum fines would increase to $125,000 from $1,000 for a first offence and $250,000 from $10,000 for a second offence.

The proposed maximum fines for a corporation would be $250,000 for a first offence and $500,000 for a second offence.

The issue with property owners failing to obey the fire code which puts the public at risk. Legislation aims at protecting workers and the public in the most consistant fashion.

In 2009, the province boosted the maximum fines for workplace safety violations under the Workplace Safety and Health Act.

Fines for a first offence went to $250,000 from $150,000 and the maximum for subsequent offences rose to $500,000 from $300,000. Amendments introduced earlier this year expand the list of activities or offences for which penalties may be imposed.

Besides the fire code, the Fires Prevention and Emergency Response Act covers fire-safety inspections, regulations on the proper care of fire hoses, centrally monitored fire-alarm systems and fire-alarm monitoring agencies.

It also covers the the Manitoba Building Code, Manitoba Plumbing Code and the National Fire Code of Canada.

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Is your alarm panel showing improper zoning information, or reporting audible malfunctions? SI Alarms can help detect and prevent any type of fire alarm deficiencies to avoid you getting fines for not operating proper equipment in your property.

Information for blog post collected from The Winnipeg Free Press