In an emergency — a fire, a gas leak, a flood — every second counts. For most residents, evacuating a high-rise is straightforward. But for those with mobility limitations, cognitive impairments, or other disabilities, getting out safely may require assistance. That's where the PRA list comes in.
What Is a PRA List?
A Persons Requiring Assistance (PRA) list is a registry of residents who may need help evacuating the building in an emergency. It's maintained by the condo corporation and shared with building staff and, in many cases, the local fire department.
In Ontario, maintaining a PRA list is not just a best practice — it's a requirement under the Fire Code for buildings with more than three storeys or more than six suites. Failure to maintain one can expose the corporation to significant liability.
Who Should Be on the List?
The PRA list typically includes residents who:
- Use a wheelchair, walker, or other mobility aid
- Have a visual or hearing impairment
- Have a cognitive impairment (dementia, acquired brain injury, etc.)
- Are temporarily mobility-limited due to injury or surgery
- Have any other condition that could affect their ability to self-evacuate
Importantly, the list is voluntary. Residents must consent to being included. The board cannot add someone to the list without their knowledge.
How to Build and Maintain Your PRA List
- Communicate proactively: Include information about the PRA list in your welcome package for new residents, in your annual newsletter, and on your building's notice board.
- Make it easy to register: Provide a simple form — paper or digital — that residents can complete to add themselves to the list. Include fields for unit number, name, nature of assistance required, and emergency contact.
- Review it regularly: The list should be reviewed at least annually. Residents' needs change — someone who was temporarily injured may no longer need assistance, while a new resident may have moved in with mobility limitations.
- Share it appropriately: The list should be accessible to building staff (superintendent, concierge) and shared with the local fire department. It should be stored securely given the sensitive personal information it contains.
- Train your staff: Building staff should know the list exists, where to find it, and what to do with it in an emergency.
Privacy Considerations
The PRA list contains sensitive personal health information. It must be handled in compliance with applicable privacy legislation. Access should be limited to those who need it for emergency purposes, and it should never be posted publicly or shared beyond that circle.
The Bottom Line
A PRA list is one of the simplest and most impactful things a condo board can do to protect its most vulnerable residents. It costs nothing to maintain, takes minimal time to update, and could save a life. If your building doesn't have one — or hasn't reviewed it recently — now is the time.
MVP Condos helps all of our client corporations maintain current, compliant PRA lists as part of our standard management services. It's not optional — it's part of how we manage.