The United Counties of Prescott and Russell (the “UCPR”) are taking steps to finalize the process of obtaining the occupancy permit from the Town of Hawkesbury (the “Town”) for the new Prescott and Russell Residence, their state-of-the-art long-term care facility.
Since last winter, the UCPR and the Town have been working together to resolve a matter related to the interpretation of Ontario’s Building Code and the facility’s fire alarm system. To determine the way forward and avoid further delays, the UCPR will now turn to Ontario’s Building Code Commission (BCC) to review the matter.
The matter involves the use of a reduced alert level in resident rooms. The UCPR’s consultant team has confirmed that their design is based on safety standards for healthcare facilities, which reflect that residents who require staff assistance to evacuate can be unnecessarily stressed by a standard alert level in their room. All other areas of the Residence offer a standard alert level, allowing staff to execute a timely and safe evacuation process for all residents.
“We respect the Town’s diligence in issuing the occupancy permit,” said UCPR Chief Administrative Officer, Stéphane P. Parisien. “The goal is to keep residents safe and calm as staff help them evacuate.”
Ontario’s BCC process may take 10 to 12 weeks once initiated. The UCPR will have a better sense of move-in dates after the Commission makes a decision.
“Fire alarms are critical life-saving systems. Both the UCPR and Town want to make sure current and future residents are safe,” said UCPR Chief Administrative Officer, Stéphane P. Parisien. “We look forward to the Commission’s assistance in resolving the matter.”
Once the UCPR obtain the occupancy permit, the Ontario Ministry of Long-Term Care will complete their own quality control inspections. Staff at the UCPR are already working with Ministry staff to ensure that operations satisfy or exceed Ministry requirements.
The new Prescott and Russell Residence is 193,000 sq. feet and will have 224 beds – 78 more beds than the current facility and nearly twice as large.
“We are eager to move our residents in as soon as possible, and we are proud of this facility,” Mr. Parisien said. “We feel it represents a new generation of modern facilities in the province.”