The Ontario Regional Group experienced stability over 2010 and man hours remained flat for the year. An interesting shift has also occurred in construction permits; early in 2010 the numbers of permits taken out were weighted heavily to the Institutional sector. As the year progressed this shifted and the Industrial and Commercial sector permits began to take the lead. It appears as if the infrastructure spending the government allocated to assist during the peak of the recession worked and stimulated the other sectors through the second and third quarter of 2010. According to the Ontario Construction Secretariat, growth was strongest in recreation type buildings (movie theatres, convention type buildings). There was also an increase in hotels and the retail sector. The end of 2010 saw a levelling out in ICI permits and a dramatic increase in high rise residential, with a twenty one percent increase over 2009. Other economic indicators for Ontario remained flat with employment numbers growing by less than one percent.

As you are all aware, April 2010 saw Ontario catch up with the rest of North America and require fire sprinklers in all high rise construction. This change was long overdue. Some developers moved quickly to adapt while others attempted to get projects approved before the deadline. Those who have seen the true value of fire sprinklers have sprinklered pre approved buildings, so as to compete in a fair market. Those who have tried to avoid installing sprinklers are being monitored to ensure they meet the requirements within the code. The Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs is monitoring these projects to protect the safety of all Ontarians.

This past year we expanded on a strong relationship with Ontario's Fire Chiefs. We will continue to develop this relationship and work on joint projects like the retrofit of care facilities. The Ontario Government has begun a public consultation process on this matter and the Fire Chiefs are actively engaging the government to make fire sprinklers the answer. The Ontario regional group has also been encouraged to complete the input forms and help move toward fire sprinklers.

All CASA members are encouraged to visit the provincial web site and complete the public input form The Ontario Regional group in conjunction with NFPA and the Ontario Fire Chiefs will be hosting a number of side by side burns throughout Ontario this year to help raise awareness and promote the benefits of fire sprinklers.

Ontario will host the first meeting of the re-established and expanded Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition in Canada. Additional meetings will subsequently occur in the East and West later in the year. The goal of these meetings is to bring other agencies to the table to help disseminate accurate fire sprinkler information to various injury prevention groups from here, making these groups allies, and help in their sharing of the information which would prove to be invaluable.

The Ontario College of trades was approved in 2010 and the college is currently hiring staff and boards that will make up the operating personnel of the college. Our request for compulsory certification is still at the forefront of our goals for the college, and many trades have shared their opinion that our trade should go through the process first, as they believe it could be seen as the first success of the college. We have encouraged our Ontario members to apply for various board positions to ensure the province understands how important the college and its role is to the fire sprinkler industry in Ontario.

Phase 2 of the lightweight construct research report is due out soon from NRC. Unfortunately NRC's historical position with fire sprinklers is concerning when it comes to this report. We will follow the release and ensure we hold NRC accountable for their report in the same fashion other parties have in the past. We are also awaiting the Altus group report commissioned by NRC on Sprinkler costing. This report is very concerning as Altus group is a major provider of reports to the Canadian Home Builders Industry.

Sean pearce, Ontario Regional Manager
Address: 335 Renfrew Dr., Suite 302 Markham, ON  L3R 9S9
Phone:    (905) 477-2270
Cell:         (416) 518-1208
E-mail: spearce@casa-firesprinkler.org