Vacant Property Checks Course 2026

1. Vraag 1 van 25

   Which risk is a major reason vacant buildings need regular checks?

   • AToo many visitors at the front desk
   • BNoise complaints from guests
   • CFire, including arson
   • DHigher electricity bills from tenants
   Toon antwoord

   Antwoord: C. Fire, including arson

   Lethbridge's fire prevention bureau lists fire (accidental or set on purpose), vandalism, theft, weather, vermin and squatting as the main risks.

2. Vraag 2 van 25

   What does the National Fire Code (Alberta Edition), as cited by Lethbridge, aim to do for vacant buildings?

   • AMake sure the building is rented or sold as quickly as possible
   • BRequire the lights to stay on all night
   • CKeep unwanted people out, reduce the chance of fire and limit fire spread
   • DRequire a guard inside 24 hours a day
   Toon antwoord

   Antwoord: C. Keep unwanted people out, reduce the chance of fire and limit fire spread

   Lethbridge cites Sections 2.4.6 and 6.1.1.2 of the NFC(AE) and says their intent is to prevent unwanted entry, reduce the likelihood of fire and limit fire spread.

3. Vraag 3 van 25

   Under Vancouver's fire rules, how must a vacant building be kept?

   • APainted a bright colour
   • BOpen so firefighters can get in
   • CFully heated at all times
   • DSecured against unauthorized entry
   Toon antwoord

   Antwoord: D. Secured against unauthorized entry

   Vancouver's Fire By-law, Sentence 2.4.6.1.(1) of Division B, requires vacant buildings to be secured against unauthorized entry.

4. Vraag 4 van 25

   Why should combustible waste not be allowed to pile up in or around a vacant building?

   • AIt creates a fire hazard and can feed an arson fire
   • BIt blocks the view of the security camera from the street
   • CIt makes the building look more lived in and less likely to be entered
   • DIt attracts more tenants
   Toon antwoord

   Antwoord: A. It creates a fire hazard and can feed an arson fire

   Fire codes, such as Sentence 2.4.1.1.(1) cited by Vancouver, forbid combustible waste in amounts or places that create an undue fire hazard. Report it so it can be removed.

5. Vraag 5 van 25

   Why can turning off all utilities in a vacant building in winter cause problems?

   • AIt is always against the law
   • BIt makes the doors and windows harder to lock and secure properly
   • CThe building will become too hot
   • DWater pipes and sprinkler pipes can freeze, burst and flood the building
   Toon antwoord

   Antwoord: D. Water pipes and sprinkler pipes can freeze, burst and flood the building

   Lethbridge warns that shutting off utilities can freeze water and sprinkler pipes, which can burst and flood when temperatures rise.

6. Vraag 6 van 25

   On an exterior check, what is a sign that someone may have entered a vacant building?

   • AA for-sale sign on the lawn
   • BMail in the mailbox
   • CA loose or pried-off board on a window or door
   • DSnow and ice building up on the roof and in the gutters
   Toon antwoord

   Antwoord: C. A loose or pried-off board on a window or door

   Damaged boards, broken locks, fresh footprints and open windows suggest entry. Record and report them right away.

7. Vraag 7 van 25

   What is the best way to record what you find on a vacant property check?

   • AA text to a friend
   • BNotes with times plus dated photos of each problem
   • CA short note saying 'all OK' every time
   • DRemember what you saw and describe it to the owner at the end of the week
   Toon antwoord

   Antwoord: B. Notes with times plus dated photos of each problem

   Time-stamped notes and photos give the owner and police a clear record of the building's condition and any changes.

8. Vraag 8 van 25

   Why should vacant property checks be done at different times each visit?

   • ASo photos look different
   • BSo the guard can choose the times that fit best around other calls
   • CBecause the law sets random times
   • DSo no one can predict when a guard will arrive
   Toon antwoord

   Antwoord: D. So no one can predict when a guard will arrive

   A predictable routine lets thieves and vandals plan around you. Varying times makes the site a harder target.

9. Vraag 9 van 25

   Before starting a check at a vacant site alone, what should a guard do?

   • ATurn off their phone to save battery for the walk-through
   • BGo straight in without telling anyone, to save time
   • CTell dispatch or a contact where they are and when they will check in
   • DLeave their flashlight in the vehicle
   Toon antwoord

   Antwoord: C. Tell dispatch or a contact where they are and when they will check in

   CCOHS advises a check-in plan for lone workers: where you are, when you will call, and what happens if you do not.

10. Vraag 10 van 25

    You smell natural gas when you open the door of a vacant house. What should you do?

    • ALeave right away, without using light switches or your phone inside, and call from a safe distance
    • BOpen the windows and stay inside to air it out
    • CTurn on the lights so you can see clearly and look for the source of the leak
    • DLook for the leak and try to shut it off
    Toon antwoord

    Antwoord: A. Leave right away, without using light switches or your phone inside, and call from a safe distance

    Gas utilities advise leaving immediately, not using switches, phones or electronics inside, and calling the gas utility or 911 from a safe distance.

11. Vraag 11 van 25

    You see a used needle on the floor during a check. What should you do?

    • AKick it into a corner
    • BPick it up and put it in your pocket
    • CDo not touch it with bare hands; report it for safe pickup into a sharps container, following site procedure
    • DThrow it in the regular garbage
    Toon antwoord

    Antwoord: C. Do not touch it with bare hands; report it for safe pickup into a sharps container, following site procedure

    Needles must go into a puncture-resistant sharps container. Only trained staff with proper tools should pick them up.

12. Vraag 12 van 25

    A guard is pricked by a needle found in a vacant building. What is the first step?

    • ASqueeze the wound, cover it with a bandage and keep working until the end of the shift
    • BCover it and tell no one
    • CPut the needle back where you found it
    • DRinse the wound well with running water and wash gently with soap
    Toon antwoord

    Antwoord: D. Rinse the wound well with running water and wash gently with soap

    CCOHS says to rinse the site with running water, wash gently with soap, report it to your employer immediately and follow medical advice.

13. Vraag 13 van 25

    After a needlestick injury, what else must the guard do?

    • AAsk a co-worker for advice instead
    • BReport it to the employer right away and get medical follow-up
    • CWait a few days to see if they feel sick before telling anyone
    • DOnly mention it in next month's report
    Toon antwoord

    Antwoord: B. Report it to the employer right away and get medical follow-up

    CCOHS says to report the exposure to your employer immediately and follow medical professionals' instructions for treatment and follow-up.

14. Vraag 14 van 25

    During an interior check, you see water pouring from the ceiling. What should you do?

    • AIgnore it, because the building is empty
    • BStay clear of wet electrical areas, report it right away and follow post orders to reach the owner or emergency contact
    • CTurn off the main electrical panel standing in the water
    • DWait until the next scheduled check
    Toon antwoord

    Antwoord: B. Stay clear of wet electrical areas, report it right away and follow post orders to reach the owner or emergency contact

    Water and electricity together are dangerous. Report quickly so the owner can stop the damage.

15. Vraag 15 van 25

    You find signs that a person is sleeping inside a vacant building. What is the best approach?

    • AGo in and wake them up, then order them to leave the building right away
    • BDo not enter alone; step back, report to dispatch and follow post orders, calling police if needed
    • CThrow their belongings outside
    • DLock the doors so they cannot leave
    Toon antwoord

    Antwoord: B. Do not enter alone; step back, report to dispatch and follow post orders, calling police if needed

    Entering alone where someone may be inside puts both of you at risk. Report it and get the right help.

16. Vraag 16 van 25

    A person experiencing homelessness is sheltering on a vacant property. How should a guard speak with them?

    • ALoudly and firmly, so they know you are in charge and do not argue
    • BCalmly and respectfully, explaining that they need to leave and offering information about services
    • CBy taking their belongings
    • DBy shouting from a distance without explaining anything
    Toon antwoord

    Antwoord: B. Calmly and respectfully, explaining that they need to leave and offering information about services

    Respect and calm communication keep everyone safe. Offering information about shelters and services can help the person.

17. Vraag 17 van 25

    Which free service can connect a person to shelters and community services in most of Canada?

    • A4-1-1
    • B2-1-1
    • C3-1-1 only
    • D9-1-1
    Toon antwoord

    Antwoord: B. 2-1-1

    211 is a free, confidential service, available 24/7 in most of Canada, that connects people to housing, food and other community services.

18. Vraag 18 van 25

    On a vacant property in Ontario, what does the Trespass to Property Act make an offence?

    • AWalking on a public sidewalk beside the property
    • BDelivering mail to the property
    • CLooking at the property from the street
    • DNot leaving immediately when directed by the occupier or their agent
    Toon antwoord

    Antwoord: D. Not leaving immediately when directed by the occupier or their agent

    Section 2 makes it an offence to enter when entry is prohibited, or to fail to leave immediately when directed by the occupier or a person authorized by them.

19. Vraag 19 van 25

    A person refuses to leave a vacant property after you tell them to go. What is the safest next step?

    • AStep back, keep your distance and call police
    • BDamage their vehicle so they cannot return
    • CLock them inside the building until the owner arrives to deal with them
    • DPhysically drag them off the property
    Toon antwoord

    Antwoord: A. Step back, keep your distance and call police

    Alberta's guidance advises owners to call law enforcement to deal with trespassers. Using force can lead to injury and criminal liability.

20. Vraag 20 van 25

    You see smoke coming from a vacant building. What should you do?

    • AWait to see if it gets worse
    • BCall 911, keep people back and do not go inside
    • CGo inside to look for the fire and check whether anyone is there
    • DOpen all the doors to let the smoke out
    Toon antwoord

    Antwoord: B. Call 911, keep people back and do not go inside

    Vacant buildings may have damaged floors, blocked exits and hidden people. Call 911 and give firefighters information, but do not enter.

21. Vraag 21 van 25

    You find a door forced open during a check. What should you do?

    • AGo in alone, quietly, to catch the intruder before they can escape
    • BFix the lock and carry on
    • CDo not go in; move to a safe spot, call police and watch the exits
    • DClose the door and leave without telling anyone
    Toon antwoord

    Antwoord: C. Do not go in; move to a safe spot, call police and watch the exits

    An intruder may still be inside. Wait for police at a safe distance and note anyone who leaves.

22. Vraag 22 van 25

    Which item belongs on a vacant property checklist?

    • AGuest satisfaction survey
    • BNumber of customers
    • CCash register totals
    • DDoors, windows and boards secure
    Toon antwoord

    Antwoord: D. Doors, windows and boards secure

    A vacant property checklist covers doors, windows, boards, locks, fences, signs of entry, utilities, water leaks and fire hazards.

23. Vraag 23 van 25

    During a winter exterior check, why are footprints in fresh snow useful?

    • AThey show that the building's heating system is still working
    • BThey are not useful at all
    • CThey prove the owner visited
    • DThey can show that someone has been around or into the building since the last snowfall
    Toon antwoord

    Antwoord: D. They can show that someone has been around or into the building since the last snowfall

    Fresh tracks to a door or window can reveal recent entry. Photograph them and check the entry point from outside.

24. Vraag 24 van 25

    On a check, you see a power line down on the property. How far back should you stay?

    • AJust far enough not to touch it
    • BNo need to stay back if it is not sparking
    • CAt least 10 metres
    • DAt least 1 metre
    Toon antwoord

    Antwoord: C. At least 10 metres

    Utilities advise staying at least 10 metres away from a downed line and calling 911 or the utility. It can be live even if not sparking.

25. Vraag 25 van 25

    Under Vancouver's fire rules for vacant buildings no longer meant to be lived in, what should happen with the natural gas supply?

    • AIt should be used to heat the guard shack
    • BIt should be left on all winter to keep the pipes from freezing
    • CThe guard should shut it off at the meter each night and turn it on each morning
    • DIt should be disconnected as soon as practicable through the gas utility
    Toon antwoord

    Antwoord: D. It should be disconnected as soon as practicable through the gas utility

    Vancouver's bulletin says natural gas should be disconnected as soon as practicable by asking the utility company.

Toetsenbord: 1–4 om te antwoorden, Enter voor de volgende vraag.