MEDIA RELEASE January 12, 2017
Local nightclub fined for violations HALTON HILLS, ON – The owner of Nashville North, located on Guelph Street South in Norval, has been fined $5,000 for contravening the Ontario Fire Code. The registered owner of Nashville North at 530 Guelph Street, 2264103 Ontario Limited, was convicted after pleading guilty in the Ontario Court of Justice on November 21, 2016. The violation was for exceeding the occupancy load for the number of persons assembling in a room or floor space during a 2015 New Year’s Eve event. On this date, Halton Hills Fire Department staff attended the premises after receiving a complaint of a possible over-capacity situation. Upon arrival, a check of the counts taken by Nashville North door staff as well as actual counts by Fire Department staff confirmed the overcapacity situation. The building owner was subsequently advised of the charges and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission was also provided information of the incident for their own investigation and action. “Patrons need to know that they will be safe when they frequent such establishments in Halton Hills”, says Mayor Bonnette. He adds, “Fire Department staff through their prevention efforts ensure that businesses are safe through their inspections and stress that business owners must take responsibility to ensure their place of business is and stays safe.” Fires in assembly occupancies have been shown to be some of the most deadly when the proper features, systems, and construction materials were not present. Nightclubs differ from office buildings because they contain a large number of people in one main space. Ontario Building Code and Ontario Fire Code provisions mandate that a considerable number of safety systems and features be present in order to keep everyone safe should an unwanted fire occur. These can include such things as working fire alarms and sprinkler systems, clear exits, emergency lights and a fire safety plan, to name a few. The level of safety provided is not the result of any single safety system or feature, but rather is achieved through the combination of multiple safeguards that are provided and followed. The Halton Hills Fire Department staff conducts inspections in such places to ensure systems, safeguards and fire safety plans are in place and maintained. As noted by Fire Chief deHooge, “Building/business owners must take fire safety seriously and ensure the fire safety provisions are in place. The Halton Hills Fire Department will take the necessary steps to ensure the safety of its residents and visitors in these establishments.”
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About the Town of Halton Hills The Town of Halton Hills, with a population of approximately 60,000, consists of two urban centres, Georgetown and Acton, the Halton Hills Premier Gateway employment area, three hamlets – Glen Williams, Stewarttown and Norval – and several smaller settlements. Halton Hills has long been recognized for its natural beauty, active agricultural community, high quality of life and proximity to major centres, including Brampton, Mississauga and Toronto. The Town is ranked as one of the top small communities in Canada by a national magazine. - 30 For further information contact: Harry Olivieri Deputy Chief, Prevention & Public Education Halton Hills Fire Department 905-873-2601, ext. 2102 Email:
[email protected]