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Fire Safety Plans

Fire safety plans are binders that provide accurate and timely information about a building, business, site, or event and its fire safety systems, contents, and processes during an emergency. These binders are kept on site and available for review upon request of Okotoks Fire & Rescue personnel. Fire safety plans are a requirement of the National Fire Code - 2023 Alberta Edition (NFC(AE)) and they must be reviewed at least every 12 months to ensure that they consider any changes in use or building characteristics.

Fire safety plans are required for a variety of buildings and circumstances.  It is the responsibility of the building owner to ensure that fire safety plans are provided when required. Buildings that are undergoing construction or demolition may have different or additional requirements.

The two instances where Okotoks Fire & Rescue must review and accept the fire safety plans in writing are:

  • Construction, alteration, or demolition operations (Multi-Residential, Commercial/Industrial, Single and Duplex residential projects)
  • Hot works operations and hot surface applications

Other types of fire safety plans, such as those for occupied buildings/businesses, are not required to be accepted in writing but must be available for Okotoks Fire & Rescue review upon request.

Occupied Buildings/Businesses

The buildings and businesses that are required to participate in the fire safety plan program according to the National Fire Code - 2023 Alberta Edition include:

  • Buildings containing an assembly, care, treatment, or detention occupancy
  • Buildings containing a school, college or university, or daycare facility
  • Buildings containing a licensed beverage establishment or licensed restaurant
  • Buildings containing an assembly occupancy with an occupancy load of more than 30
  • Buildings that require a fire alarm system according to the National Building Code – 2023 Alberta Edition
  • Demolition and construction sites regulated under the National Fire Code - 2023 Alberta Edition
  • Indoor and outdoor storage areas regulated under the National Fire Code - 2023 Alberta Edition 
  • Areas where flammable or combustible liquids are stored or handled, including refineries and process plants
  • Areas where hazardous processes or operations occur

There are several factors to consider when choosing an appropriate Fire Safety Plan.  The plan must meet the objectives of Fire Prevention, Occupant Safety, Fire Control and Extinguishment. 

OFR has created templates of the required documents:

  1. Occupied Building/Business Fire Safety Plan
  2. Vital Building Information Form (fillable PDF)

If you have questions regarding which of these guides is most appropriate check with OFR to learn which is the preferred format. 

Process: Once completed email a copy to okotoksfire@okotoks.ca. The documents will be reviewed (no fee) as part of the regular Safety Codes inspection cycle. 

Construction, Renovation and Demolition Project Sites

As per the National Fire Code – 2023 Alberta Edition, a Fire Safety Plan is required for all construction, renovation and demolition sites. This applies to all buildings, parts of buildings, facilities, adjacent buildings or facilities, and associated areas undergoing construction, alteration or demolition operations.

This information is being provided for the construction industry as an aid to preventing injury and fires in and around construction sites to address life and property fire safety issues. Keeping in mind it is the sole responsibility of the owner or representatives of the owner to: 

  • Be aware of all regulations within the jurisdiction 
  • Carry out or make provisions to adhere to the various codes and standards applicable to their project or business. 

Prior to the commencement of construction, alteration or demolition operations, the owner, developer or contractor responsible for a construction or demolition site is required to develop a Fire Safety Plan which will be reviewed (fee applicable) and accepted in writing by Okotoks Fire & Rescue and the authority having jurisdiction. 

The Fire Safety Plan should be updated as the construction site progresses. The contractor, as the representative of the owner, is responsible for the Fire Safety Plan until occupancy. 

Fees to Review Fire Safety Plans: These construction, renovation and demolition fire safety plans require review and written acceptance by an OFR Safety Codes Officer are subject to a fee of $150 + GST, as per the Rates & Fees Bylaw. 

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