Sprinkler system, upgraded fire panel approved for H.J. McFarland Home

Council approved a $476,660 sprinkler system and upgraded fire alarm panel at H.J. McFarland Memorial Home (HJM) to meet Ontario Fire Code requirements, and use one-time funds from the Ministry of Long Term Care.

Tuesday night, council was informed Troy Life & Fire Safety Ltd. was the sole bidder, following difficulty in securing a contractor, and pressures to complete the work.

Kyle Cotton, Director of Long-Term Care, reported to council that the home received notice in March that it would receive $213,612 in funding to ensure compliance with the Ontario Fire Code by Jan. 1, 2025 and while plans continue to build the new 160-bed facility. Council was told the new sprinkler system could also be of interest to the repurposing of the current building.

The County issued a request for proposals (RFP), but by July 5 had no respondents.

“Follow-up revealed many vendors had prior commitments, resulting in resource challenges,” said Cotton, adding, “The RFP also included a monetary penalty for not meeting milestone dates, which was seen as a dis-incentive given the tight timelines proposed in the contract.”

Troy Life & Fire Safety Ltd, which already provides monitoring and contracted services at HJM, was invited, with another company, to submit quotes and offered the shortest completion time, and lowest bid.

As the work would not be complete by the current deadline, the Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM) has clarified that HJM must implement an ‘Alternative Compliance Measure’ (ACM) to bridge the time between Jan. 1, 2025, and the completion of the work, which is expected to take approximately four months. Cotton notes the OFM has launched a consultation to determine whether an extension until July 2026 is required to provide more time to LTC operators.

Alternative Compliance Measures include hourly fire watch rounds 24/7 with one supervisor ensuring means of egress are kept clear; two vulnerable occupancy drills annually, (observed by a fire prevention officer); fire extinguisher and fire safety training boosted to 90 per cent of staff (currently 75 per cent); daily maintenance inspections to address fire hazards; more frequent fire drills and safety inspections, enhanced testing and maintenance and a portable fire extinguisher at each nurses’ station.

The municipality received $213,612.00 in one-time funding, $2,543 per licensed bed (84 total).

While the cost exceeds the one-time funding amount, HJM will use its Special Projects Reserve, “and the installation will facilitate and support the building’s future activities.”

Municipal staff will also work with Ontario Health, MLTC, and Prince Edward County Fire & Rescue to develop an alternative solution and contingency plan that achieves Ontario Fire Code compliance during the installation of the sprinklers and the fire panel upgrade. The Alternative Solution is expected to be implemented this month.
The sprinkler installation and fire panel update are expected to be completed by Q2 2025.