Bylaw aims to prevent falling debris from Calgary buildings

Building owners in Calgary may soon have to visually inspect the exteriors of their buildings to ensure there's nothing that could fall off and threaten public safety.

A new building maintenance bylaw was unanimously endorsed today by the city's planning and urban development committee.

Lloyd Suchet is the executive director of the Building Owners and Managers Association, and saidthe bylaw strikes a balance between improved maintenance and reasonable requirements for owners.

"This means we needed to recognize and be sensitive to the resources of different owners and their ability to absorb those additional costs," he said.

The bylaw applies to 600 buildings in Calgary that are at least five storeys tall and 10 or moreyears old, with owners required to inspect the buildings every five years.

"BOMA Calgary believes the bylaw achievesthat balance," said Suchet."The bylaw's scope focuses on thebuidlings that posethe greatest risk while the five year intervals are appropriate given best practice"

The bylaw now heads to council.

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