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: If you see yellow school buses on the road this week, don‘t panic. Your kids didn‘t miss the first day of school. Drivers are participating in what‘s aptly called a dry run. * The practice run is to familiarize drivers with bus stops and routes. Fhere are some 150 drivers employed by Laidlaw Transit Ltd. this school year to service both the Halton Public and Separate School boards as well as area private schools. ~ There are no rookie drivers but there are some route changes, says Karen O‘Marra, Laidlaw Division Manager. .: Drivers aren‘t the only ones ready to go; buses have also been fineâ€" One such call came from Glenda Parkin, a Sherin Drive homeowner who just sold her house to a family who plans to live in the basement apartment and rent out the main level. First, however, the new owners needâ€" ed to know what work must be done to comply with the new legislation. In an effort to explain the many options open to homeowners, Peters and Craibbe brought the Oakville Beaver along during their inspection. + "Our (maintenance) schedule is beyond what the Ministry requires," said O‘Marra, explaining that Laidlaw buses are checked over every two months. Parkin‘s apartment is well near the top of the scale (with smoke alarms and a extinguisher it rates a nine out of By KATHY YANCHUS Qakville Beaver Staff School buses cruising on ‘dry runs‘ to get ready for new school year _ "People are being more consumer conscious with what they‘re buying," says John Peters, Chief Fire lPrevention Officer with the Oakville Fire Department. "We will probably get a lot of calls on this." Aside from minor problems such as kids who don‘t want to get on the bus or children waiting at the wrong bus stop, the first day of school generâ€" goes well from a transportation point of view, said O‘Marra, who said parents are welcome to call Laidlaw and confirm their child‘s route or have other queries answered. Fire Prevention Officer Richard _raibbe explained that the grace periâ€" applies only to those wishing to e improvements to existing accesâ€" sory apartments. Starting one from cratch falls under the Building Code and all work must be done immediateâ€" y. By 1996 a Hydro inspection must carried out as well. While such units range from wellâ€" maintained suites to virtual squalor, they qualify as accessory apartments if they contain cooking facilities, a ashroom and living quarters and is used as an entirely separate unit. With all the new changes in the law, fire officials say there can be a lot of conâ€" fusion about what to buy and what to She reminds kids to follow all the bus riding safety rules, not the least of which is to sit down on the bus and She has an additional reminder to the general public to be on the lookout for kids entering and exiting buses and to watch for the flashing lights and stop arm which means vehicles going either direction must come to a full stop. John Wilson, the Town of Oakville‘s School Crossing Guard coordinator, has a warning of his own for motorists to be on the lookout not only for children but for the 80 crossâ€" ing guards who will be manning speâ€" cific corners. der the Fire Code which went into ffect July 14. On August 13, twoâ€" welling units must contain working smoke alarms in each living area and owners have until July 14, 1996 to onform to the rest the regulations covering fire containment, means of gress and early warning. Their efforts were rewarded with tes regulating twoâ€"dwelling units l: While the Oakville Fire Department is not in the business of frightening people for the sake of afety, its fire prevention officers can‘t verstate the need to bring all accessoâ€" ry apartments up to code. . After all, flames know few boundâ€" iries so proper fire separation, earlyâ€" warning devices, emergency exits and ther requirements are a must. Fire partments and other agencies from icross the province lobbied hard for se provisions after the passage earâ€" lier this year of Bill 120 made accesâ€" {s’ory â€" commonly referred to as "baseâ€" ment" â€" apartments legal. "We are asking motorists to slow down in school areas," stressed Oakville Beaver Staff Fire code changes good news for twoâ€"unit homes ugust 31, 1994 The basement windows should be replaced with larger ones that swing inward for escape during an emergenâ€" cy. (If higher than 900 mm, a fixed step is required underneath.) No winâ€" dow is required in the bedrooms of existing apartments but must be included in new units in order to meet the building code. Wilson recalls a motorist who manoeuvred his way around a group of children and their crossing guard as they were crossing the street. Fortunately, a policeman saw the whole thing and the driver was charged. Wilson emphasizes the risky nature of the crossing guard‘s job â€" "being out on the roadway contending with the traffic‘ â€" and warns drivers must stop for crossing guards. Wilson as he prepares to send his retirees, seniors and moms out to 63 comers around town. "The owner has several options under the legislation," explained Peters. "There are always and‘s and but‘s." In Parkin‘s furnace room, Peters revealed how fireâ€"rated drywall must be installed over the entire ceiling in order to create adequate fire separaâ€" Oakville Fire Department‘s chief fire prevention officer gets help from Kenneth Parkin, 9, in testing smoke alarm. 10, says Craibbe) and requires only minor improvements. For example, since there is shared egress between the main level and the basement apartâ€" ment, the new owners could seal up the adjacent kitchen with drywall or install a selfâ€"closing, 20 minuteâ€"rated fireproof door. tion. (Suspended ceilings don‘t « fy.) Even if an owner denies ace tenants by keeping such r« locked, a fireâ€"rated door and c must still be in place. Craibbe explained that the compliance period will take sor the financial pressure off homeo Word of mouth has brought Wilson "SLATS appeals to the "SLATS appeals to the â€"decorator in me. money manager in me. Crossing guard placements are determined by the town‘s traffic secâ€" tion and six new locations have been added this year: McCraney Street and Sixth Line; River Glen Blvd and Towne Blyvd; River Glen Blvd. at Our Lady of Peace School; Bayshire Drive and Grand Blyvd; Kingsway Drive and Wynten Way; Kingsway Drive at St. Luke School, a second guard added because of traffic volume. enough crossing guards each year for quiteâ€"some time and he looks for peoâ€" ple who are alert and like children. For her part, Glenda Parkin is happy to help: "The Fire Department has been so accommodating in makâ€" ing people‘s homes safe for the ownâ€" ers, the children and the tenants." Craibbe said the Fire Department encourages individuals to call for information and will host seminars for any concerned special interest group. Craibbe explained that the long compliance period will take some of the financial pressure off homeowners who need to make improvements. As long as alarms are in place, they can still rent to tenants and take their time through 1996. "But in most cases it is not a major expenditure," said Peters, who is more than pleased with the Parkin Family‘s coâ€"operation in publicizing this issue. tion. (Suspended ceilings don‘t qualiâ€" fy.) Even if an owner denies access to tenants by keeping such rooms locked, a fireâ€"rated door and ceiling must still be in place. 14"â€"20" 20"â€"24" 27"%31"° 36"42 *MDTH + CUSTOM CUT to your width free + _ Aluminum Mini Blinds â€" + *R FROM In Stock THE OAKVILLE BEAVER UP TO UPTO UP TO 45"LONG _ 64"LONG _ 84"LONG 8.95 14.00 18.00 23.00 29.00 15.00 16.00 23.00 $q.95 The Caribbean could be yours for $5 â€" $10 Buy your chance to win! 466 MORDEN RD., OAKVILLE $44â€"4844 o D [EGsrom wooplhint BLINDS Available in over 50 popular colours..Widths up to 120" and lengths up to 108". 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