Developing a fire safety plan to meet the specific requirements for each building can be challenging. Many building owners are tempted to use a fire safety plan that they downloaded from the internet. However, these templates are generic and do not outline all of the requirements of the National Fire Code or Provincial Fire Code. Do not use a template. The following guides provide information to complete the fire safety plan.
British Columbia - Fire Safety Plan Guide
Calgary - Fire Safety Plan Guidelines
Regina - Fire Safety Planning Guide
Saskatoon - Fire Safety Planning Guide
Vancouver - Fire Safety Plan Guide
Winnipeg - Fire Safety Plan Guidelines
If you choose to prepare a fire safety plan for your facility, please look over the guidance documents and contact your insurance provider to find out if there are any issues.
Review copies of verification and inspection, testing, and maintenance reports for fire protection and life safety systems installed in the building.
Review copies of drawings for the building and fire protection and life safety systems installed are required.
Conduct a walkthrough of the entire building and site. This includes access to all public and secured areas of the building. The site audit is to confirm,
Drawing accuracy
Identify equipment, systems, and hazards
Identify other site-specific information
Meet with staff in the building to learn more about how the building functions. Things such as who is in the building, how the building is used, the number of people in the building, the number of staff available to assist in evacuation, shifts, capabilities of staff and occupants, and emergency contacts, as well as establishing the roles and responsibilities.
Prepare the written fire safety plan.
Several sets of drawings should be created, including a set for:
the fire department, which identifies the relevant information for fire department response,
the posted fire emergency procedure signage for the building,
the building owner, identifying the fire protection and life safety features for ongoing maintenance.
The fire safety plan should be provided to the client for review and comments.
Many jurisdictions require fire safety plans to be submitted to the local fire department. It is best practice to submit your fire safety plan to the local fire department, even if the fire code in your province or your local fire department does not require it to be submitted.
Meet with staff to discuss the implementation of the FSP.
If you hired a consultant to prepare your fire safety plan, you should have a meeting to discuss the particulars of the fire safety and any questions. Discuss the proper steps to implement your fire safety plan with your consultant.
Create digital copies of the signed and approved (if applicable) copy of the fire safety plan.
A fire safety plan is of little use if it sits on a shelf and is not implemented. Implementation of the fire safety plan is critical in the fire safety planning process. The following provides a 9-step process for implementing fire safety plans.
Retain a current copy of the fire safety plan in the building or in the required location.
Train supervisory staff (fire wardens, floor wardens, etc) in their assigned responsibilities before delegating responsibility.
Delegate responsibilities to supervisory staff in writing.
Distribute copies of the emergency procedures to all supervisory staff.
Post at least one copy of the emergency procedures in each floor area.
Review and update the plan at least annually or when there are changes to the building, fire protection systems, or supervisory staff.
Practice evacuation drills and fire drills to reinforce the training. In addition, practicing the emergency evacuation procedures helps identify improvements and gaps.
Inspect, test, and maintain all fire protection and life safety systems and features.
Document all fire warden training and other fire safety training, fire drills, ITM procedures, repairs, and operational procedures.