Above is almost nine-minutes of raw video from Thursday’s fire at the 159 unit Millrise complex in Calgary. Here are excerpts from an article today by Stephanie Massinon of the Calgary Herald:
The massive fire witnesses say started on a fourth-floor balcony of a Millrise condo building, spread to the attic and left 300 people looking for a new place to live could have been quickly doused if current building regulations were in place a year earlier.
The 159-unit Millrise Drive building received its permits in 2008, but new safety regulations that require sprinklers in attics and on balconies did not take effect until May 2009.
Kevin Griffiths, the City of Calgary’s chief building official, said the building was in compliance with the Alberta building code of the day, but noted the code is now different.
“In the code today, the attic area, the roof space above the top floor would actually be protected with sprinklers, as well as areas such as balconies,” said Griffiths.
Those changes could have made a big difference.
“We do know through the research that was undertaken by the City of Calgary and other parties, that having protection within the attic space has signifi cantly improved . . . the ability to prevent the spread of fire,” said Griffiths.
The company that built the condo, Medican, said it followed the code of the time.
All sprinklers in the building worked, said Bob Montgomery, manager of wellness, health and safety for Medican.
Asked if he regrets not adding the additional sprinklers in the attic and patios knowing the regulations would soon be upgraded, he said the company aimed to meet the legislation as it applied then. “At the time, you’re obliged to make sure that the legislation is met. And that’s appropriate. In terms of how much further you can go, how do you know?” he said.
“How do you know what the future holds? What we do is absolutely make sure that the legislation at the time is adhered to. That’s our due diligence, that’s our responsibility, and that’s our goal.”
