Balconies on the new $4.85-million seniors' complex in Watson Lake do not meet fire code standards, according to a building inspection report.

JoAnne Harach is a spokeswoman for the Yukon Housing Corp., which financed the facility.

She said in a recent interview the publicly owned corporation has spoken with the inspector to sort out how to correct the deficiencies.

The 12-unit residence did receive an occupancy permit in December 2010 but before access to the six, second-storey balconies is granted, they'll have to be brought up to code, she explained.

Harach said in the meantime, the doorknobs on the doors leading to the balconies have been temporarily disabled to prevent access.

The six ground-floor apartments open out to patios, she pointed out.

The cost of making the corrections, Harach estimated, is in the hundreds of dollars, maybe a few thousand, but it's not hugely expensive.

"It depends on what options they ultimately go with.”

Harach said it's not clear when the work will be done. The housing corporation is currently dealing with a full plate of other projects but it will be done this building season.

Brenda Wale, a spokeswoman for the Department of Community Services, which is responsible for the fire marshal's office, said the balconies do not meet fire-resistance specifications.

Balconies need to be resistant to fire for a minimum of 45 minutes, she said.

The wooden floor joist on the balconies at the residences for seniors and students next to Yukon College are heavy timbers that do meet the code, she pointed out.

Wale said the balconies on the new seniors' residence in Teslin have a stairway leading to the ground, which eliminates the 45-minute requirement.

But the balconies in Watson Lake are built from regular floor joist, she said.

Wales said she understands correcting the deficiencies could be as simple as applying a special fire-retardant paint.

While the 12 units at the new facility are available, none have been occupied, though that's not unusual, said Dale Kozmen, the housing corporation's vice-president of operations.

Kozmen said seniors take their time when making such important decisions as moving into a new home.

The new nine-unit seniors' residence in Haines Junction took three years to fill up, he pointed out.