Fire service to inspect outdated signs

Signs disappear after questions about fire safety are raised

 By THEA CATIPON

Outdated signs with floor maps potentially in breach of the fire code have been removed from Langara College walls.

The signs came to the attention of students when Jackson Belec, a second-year geography student, shared a post in February on Reddit showcasing inaccurate signs and maps around campus.

The signs had apparently not kept up with updates to campus buildings.

“If there's issues with vision, and there's issues of navigation, having a floor plan that is not accurate, could pose issues in the event of an emergency,” said Belec.

Several days after the Voice reported on the story online, the signs had disappeared.

Langara facilities department has not responded to questions from the Voice about the fate of the signs.

There haven’t been any complaints to the facilities department regarding the signs, said Langara facilities director Dwayne Doornbosch, who noted that changes to campus signs are continuously being made.

Failing to update emergency signs and maps when building layout changes can create a risk, especially in an emergency, said Matthew Trudeau, captain of public information for Vancouver Fire Rescue Service.

He said the service has assigned a fire inspector to the campus but no recent inspections have been done. in March 2022 and it covers a period of three years.

Upgrading signs on a building is not mandatory but it is a responsibility of building owners because buildings are constantly changing, said Peg McAndrews, a business development manager for Vancouver Fire and Radius Security.

Changes should be made to the fire plans if the renovations would change the “footprint” or the escape plan for the building’s occupants, she said.

McAndrews said that these plans should display how people can access the emergency exits, fire extinguishers or hoses, and how to call the fire department.

But students might not refer to posted signs and maps in the event of an emergency.

“Very often, what actually happens is people leave the building the same way they enter it,” Weisner said. Some departments have their own emergency plan in place. For instance, students of Studio 58 say that they were told to go to the loading dock in case of an emergency takes place.

“I honestly feel like in my survival instincts I just find the closest door to me and just leave,” Gabby Friedman, a first year production student said.

In his Reddit post, Belec also said the emergency exit at the end of the psychology offices’ hallway on the third floor of the C Building is being blocked by a door.

Felix Weisner, an expert in fire structural safety and an assistant professor at UBC, said blocking access is a problem.

“Generally, any sort of routes that are designated for emergencies should be kept clear and unobstructed,” he said.

During her time in the Czech Republic, Byrledianu directed a short film, building on her studies at the Ukrainian Film School, she said.

She wanted to continue her studies in film and decided to come to Langara College when she found out the college would waive international fees and only charge her as a domestic student, Byrledianu said.

Union, came to Canada in 2019 from the Ukrainian city of Mariupol. When news of the invasion broke in 2022, Shubina said she couldn’t focus on anything else.

“It was extremely challenging to continue my studies,” said Shubina. “Ukraine was all that mattered to me.”

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Nine months later, she arrived in Canada, and in January became a film arts student at Langara College.

“I've only been here one month but I already love it,” she said. “I feel big support from people here, especially from teachers or mentors or program coordinators.”

Byrledianu is being offered the chance to apply for the Ukrainian Support Bursary through Langara College Foundation. The college established the $30,000 commitment

Film arts program coordinator Jonas Quastel said he is thrilled to have Byrledianu in his class but said he believes Langara College can do even more to help refugees.

“I think [the Langara] Foundation could probably get a fundraiser going for Ukrainian refugees so that they can just come and have their tuition covered in total,” he said. Even away from home, Ukrainians are still feeling the effects of the war.

Anna Shubina, founder and president of the UBC Ukrainian Student

She said she is grateful to her professors for supporting her at the time both in allowing accomodations for school work and raising awareness about the war in her classes. She said Ukrainian students found it difficult to find support from someone who understood what they were going through.

“It was difficult to find counsellors specializing in trauma. So many Ukrainian students, especially internationally, did not know who to trust or look for support,” Shubina said.

“In my case, I’m thankful to my parents for supporting me.”

Arriving in Vancouver, Byrledianu found support in a Ukrainian homestay to start her life in a new city.

“A lot of people actually were very helpful here," she said, noting many people would donate items such as clothing, "because we're carrying only one luggage and a dog.”