PUBLIC SAFETY NOTICE POTENTIAL FIRE CONCERNS Potential Fire Hazard Due to Heat Recovery Ventilation Systems The Office of the Fire Marshal and the Beckwith Township Fire Department are advising homeowners that homes with heat recovery ventilation (HRV) systems manufactured by Venmar Ventilation Inc. may be at risk of fire. The thermal protector in the motors of these systems can fail and pose a potential fire hazard.   Certain HRV models produced and installed between 1991 and 2001, and between October 2006 and August 2007, are affected. While Venmar manufactured these models, to date, the affected units were identified with the following brand names:     - Venmar Brand - NuTone Brand - Venmar AVS Brand - Heil Brand - Flair Brand - York Brand - vänEE Brand - Sears Brand - Conformax Brand - Guardian by Broan Brand - Carrier, Bryant Brands - Rheem Brands - Payne - Ruud-Protech-Weatherking - Day & Night  -Bryant, Carrier Brands (standard model) Homeowners with Venmar HRV systems manufactured and installed during the above periods should immediately turn off and unplug their unit. Homeowners should then contact Venmar at 1-866-441-4645, or at www.venmar.ca, to determine if their unit is affected.    Following investigations of two home fires in Burlington in 2006, Venmar is supplying a power plug adaptor to homeowners with affected units. Venmar asks homeowners to install the power plug on the HRV’s power supply cord. The adaptor is intended to cut the power supply to prevent a fire.   Venmar has confirmed that about 10% of Ontario homes with affected HRV units have been contacted and provided with power plug adaptors. That leaves over 51,000 Ontario homes at risk of potential fire. Furthermore, independent tests have shown that even with the adaptor installed, when the internal fan motor reaches end of life or a locked rotor condition, homeowners can experience strong electrical or burning smells and smoke conditions in their homes prior to the activation of the plug adaptor. These conditions can continue for extended periods of time.   If you have an HRV in your home and you experience strong electrical or burning smells and/or smoke conditions, immediately unplug the unit and call 9-1-1 to have the fire department respond to confirm the source of the smells or smoke.   Homeowners are also reminded to install and maintain working smoke alarms on every storey of the home and outside all sleeping areas. It’s the law.   For more information contact your fire department.

BECKWITH FIRE DEPARTMENT Reminder that you need a fire permit for burning (they are required from April 1st – October 31st). You can pick up your permit at the Municipal Office during their business hours. Permits for Saturday burning can be picked up on the Friday before. The permits are only good for the day of issue. Remember that you are still responsible for your fire even though you have a permit, so don’t burn in windy conditions.

FIRE RULES AND REGULATIONS FIRE The rules/guidelines are strictly fire safety measures and do not relieve the person(s) in charge of the burning operation of responsibility for liability. Fire Permits are required from April 1st until October 31st only.Any person(s) who sets or allows a fire to burn and any person who is unable to control such fire, leading to the response of the Beckwith Township Fire Department, may be liable for the expense of the Fire Department, including personnel, equipment and apparatus costs incurred in response to the fire. OPEN BURNING 1.   No burning allowed on Sunday. 2.   Materials to be burned may only be wood products. 3.   Burning shall not occur on windy days or under weather conditions that limit the       rapid dispersion of smoke. 4.   No person shall set out a fire after dark. 5.   Burning shall not occur, that causes an inconvenience irritation to others. 6.   Every person(s) who starts a fire shall ensure that there is adequate equipment and       water available on the site to contain the fire and, all remaining embers or ashes       shall be removed or wet down thoroughly, before leaving the fire. 7.   The burning of buildings, grass, hay, straw or leaves is prohibited. 8.   No person shall burn on a road allowance or in a location, which would interfere        with traffic. 9.   No person shall set any fire out of doors except in the presence of a competent       adult person and this person shall be in constant attendance of any burning       operation so as to prevent the fire from spreading to or endangering, other       property. 10.  Burning shall only occur a safe distance (deemed to be 15.54 meters/50 feet) from       any building, fence, trees, dry grass or hay, or any substance libel to create a       danger. 11.  Where permits are issued, the person in charge of the burning operation conducted       under the permit, shall produce or show the permit to any Officer of the Fire       Department whenever requested by the officer. 12.  Burning shall not occur within 15.54 meters/50 feet of any telephone, cable or       hydro lines.   13.  Burning may be cancelled or suspended at any time, and immediately upon receiving       notice of such cancellation or suspension all fires shall be extinguished.   14.  Materials that shall not be burned include, cardboard, paper products, petroleum       products, plastic, rubber, painted lumber and all recyclable items or products that       will cause excessive fumes or smoke. ALL AIR POLLUTION COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY ENVIRONMENT ONTARIO MAY BE INVESTIGATED, AND CORRECTIVE ACTION CAN BE TAKEN UNDER THE ENVIRONMENTAL PRODUCTION ACT. BURN BARRELS NO PERSON SHALL OPERATE A BURN BARRELL: 1.  Without first obtaining a permit (where required) of first receiving authorization from      the authority having jurisdicition. 2.  Unless it is a metal barrel in good condition with a heavy-duty screen having a mesh      size not greater than 5-millimeters/1/4 inch, covering any opening and securely held      in place and the screen must be replaced when any portion is burned out. 3.  That is situated less than 15.54 meters/50 feet from a forest, woodland or building. 4.  Unless the barrel is situated in an area of bare rock or bare mineral soil, as least 2      meters/6 feet in width, immediately surrounding the burn barrel.   A PERMIT MAY BE REQUIRED IN YOUR MUNICIPALITY CONTACT YOUR MUNICIPAL OFFICE AT 613-257-1539. AS A COURTESY - NOTIFY YOUR NEIGHBOURS BEFORE BEGINNING ANY BURNING.