As part of an ongoing effort to assess risk related to fire damage in Ottawa, the insurance industry has been asked to provide feedback about water mains and other issues.
As part of an ongoing effort to assess risk related to fire damage in Ottawa, the insurance industry has been asked to provide feedback about water mains and other issues. The hope is that this will reduce the risk not only for insurers, but also consumers, businesses, and so on.
The City of Ottawa recently asked the National Research Council to look into the ways in which the city currently sizes its water mains for dealing with fires, and the latter organization is likewise asking for input from insurers and other groups to better inform its recommendations, according to a report from Canadian Underwriter. This is only part of the study’s first phase, and the comment period will be open until June of next year. During that time, not only insurers, but also fire departments, engineers, building associations, and even other cities will be able to have a say regarding their opinions of how fire risk is currently handled.
Ottawa could soon change the way it deals with fire risk.
Why is this an issue?
The city of Ottawa has seen a lot of building activity in recent years, and the types of structures being built challenge the way it has always worked with regard to fire safety, the report said. As buildings grow in size and are constructed closer together, this presents a real challenge in terms of current water main infrastructure. The NRC, which includes the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes, believes that these trends put even greater importance on improving the rate at which water can flow into hydrants and other fire safety devices. Further, the study will examine whether the city should be putting fire hydrants closer together in the future, as a result of similar concerns.
“Of special concern are relatively small-diameter distribution mains, where peak flow is typically determined by fire demand, compared to larger mains whose peak flow is determined by peak demand,” an NRC information sheet noted, according to the site. “[This phase] will include an assessment of current practices, recommendations for their optimal application and findings as to whether there is a need to adopt or develop and alternate approach. The second phase (contingent upon Phase 1 finding and sufficient partners) [will relate to] adoption or development of an alternate approach to calculate fire demand and appropriate pipe sizes.”
What else is in the second phase?
In addition, other cities and parties with a stake in the outcomes of the study will be brought in to consult on the second phase as well, the report said. The hope is that the study would eventually be able to make better recommendations as to how fire and building codes are established in the future.
This is certainly an issue on which property and casualty insurers will want to weigh in, because the findings and recommendations that come out of this study could have a major impact on risk mitigation and other important factors in a relatively short period of time.
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