The government department responsible for overseeing fire safety in the territory says no formal demands have been made of the Snowking Winter Festival, contrary to reports from earlier in the week.
The festival launched a fundraising campaign last week while issuing a news release stating around $6,000 was needed to cover "costly" measures imposed by NWT fire marshal Chucker Dewar.
Kevin Brezinski, director of public safety for the territorial government's Department of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA), which oversees the fire marshal's office, told Yellowknifer while "recommendations" were made in February ahead of the 2017 festival, these guidelines are non-binding and do not constitute a fire marshal's order.
He added the recommendations did not include the installation of "hardwired" fire alarms hooked to the city's power supply, as asserted in the festival's news release.
"We haven't ordered anything. We haven't directed anybody," said Brezinski. "A lot of this, in our humble opinion, has been embellished."
A number of "observations" were made during a mandatory review process leading up to construction of the 22nd Snowking castle last winter, according to Brezinski. The "plan review" process requires applicants proposing to "construct, alter or repair a structure" to submit a description of the proposed work to the fire marshal's office. Upon receiving the festival's submission, the fire marshal then relayed applicable requirements as per the NWT-adopted national building and fire codes back to organizers, Brezinski said.
"The reports are ... observations rendered by the (fire marshal) for the purpose of permitting you to understand what you need to do to achieve code compliance."
By bringing attention to requirements that haven't been addressed in the initial submission, Brezinski said the fire marshal puts the ball back in the applicant's court but stressed the recommendations aren't typically followed up with enforcement.
"We don't inspect, we don't go out there and check and look over anybody's shoulder because that's not the system we have in place," he said. Brezinski admitted, however, should a builder's disregard of code requirements result in an "egregious" threat to public safety, the fire marshal is obligated to take action, with the authority to administer fines. Brezinski maintained this route is rarely taken, saying such measures haven't been used since 2013.
'Proper arrows and pointers'
As for the code requirements put forth by the fire marshal last February, Brezinski said they focused on
evacuation standards, rather than the structural integrity of the snow castle itself.
The recommendations, he said, included the installation of exit signs with "proper arrows and pointers," traction for stairs and "water closets" or portable restrooms. Also, the need to implement battery-operated smoke alarms – not hardwired klaxons – in each room was expressed. Brezinski also took exception to statement by festival organizers that the structure must be approved by an "accredited architect," saying only a professional assessment was required.
A proposal from the festival, in accordance with the plan review process, has yet to be submitted for the upcoming 2018 festival. The Fire Prevention Act-backed guidelines stipulate that construction cannot begin until the Office of the Fire Marshal responds to organizers' proposal in writing.
Brezinski said the snow castle has grown more elaborate in recent years, hence the need for closer scrutiny from the fire marshal.
"I know it's counter-intuitive to think of fire in the context of snow but when you're adding a whole bunch
of electrical appliances and wood floors ... we tend to get a little more cautious than we would otherwise," said Brezinski.
On a personal note, Brezinski said he supports the festival, adding he'll buying tickets for the fundraising
raffle. He emphasized that MACA and the fire marshal aren't trying to make life difficult for festival organizers, and that he empathizes with the new costs they face.
"We admire and respect what (Anthony Foliot, Snowking founder) is trying to do and kudos to him. We'd like nothing better than to see this thing continue in a very successful way," he said, adding the code requirements are engineered to save lives, not burden owners and developers.
"What kind of price do you put on safety?" he asked.
Foliot declined to comment but Snowking festival vice-president Mike Mitchell told Yellowknifer Thursday that organizers would like some clarity from the department about what exactly are the rules and how they should be applied.
"The bottom line for us remains that complying with elements of the building code costs the Snowking Winter Festival energy and money. Money that we just don't have. We've learned that we don't fit the criteria for a number of infrastructure funds that might help pay for this stuff because, well, we melt every year," Mitchell stated, adding the ongoing raffle is part of an effort to keep the festival afloat.
"In the future, we're going to need some help. Regulatory flexibility, more funding ... we're open to any ideas to help keep the castle standing and our volunteers from burning out."
The fire marshal has not responded to Yellowknifer's requests for comment on this story.