What is a fire safety plan?
A fire safety plan is a detailed binder that explains how your building works and what to do during a fire. It covers your fire alarm system, emergency exits, and the roles of your staff. You must keep this binder on site in a secure metal box so fire crews can find it quickly when they arrive.
Good to know
Office hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except holidays.
Who needs a fire safety plan?
Under the National Fire Code (Ontario Edition), the following buildings and sites must have an approved fire safety plan:
- Buildings used for assembly, care, treatment, or detention
- Buildings that require a fire alarm system under the Ontario Building Code
- Construction and demolition sites regulated by the National Fire Code
- Indoor and outdoor storage areas for hazardous materials
- Areas where flammable or combustible liquids are handled, such as refineries
- High-rise buildings and multi-unit residential buildings with common areas
If you run a business or manage a property and are unsure whether your building requires a plan, contact us. We can help you figure out your obligations.
How to submit your plan
You must submit your fire safety plan to the City of Wrenford for review. We review plans to make sure they meet provincial standards and protect everyone in the building.
Submit a plan: Use the Service Wrenford online form to upload your plan. We will review it and let you know if it is approved or if changes are needed. Plans must be reviewed at least every 12 months, or whenever the building changes use.
Review fees: An initial review fee of $175.00 applies to the first upload. If we need to return for a follow-up inspection or if you request a fire warden lecture, a re-inspection fee of $150.00 will apply. Payment is made through the Service Wrenford portal.
Preparing your fire safety plan
We provide templates and guidelines to help you create a plan that meets City standards. Your plan must include the following sections in a labeled binder:
- Vital Building Information (VBI) Form: A quick reference sheet for first responders. You must keep five copies in the binder.
- Approved Fire Safety Plan Symbols: Use the official City symbols on all maps. Include a legend for every symbol used.
- Base Building Drawings: Show fire department access points, stairways, separations between areas, and fire department connections. Five copies are required.
- Fire Alarm Zone Drawings: Required if your building has a zoned fire alarm system. These show which area of the building triggers each zone alarm.
- Tabbed Sections: Keep maintenance certificates for fire alarms, fire pumps, and sprinkler systems in the correct tabs. Add any extra details to the appropriate sections.
You can download the Fire Safety Plan template and symbol guide from our business resources page.
Training and fire drills
Supervisory staff must be trained in emergency procedures before taking on fire safety roles. Staff in schools must practice fire drills three times in the fall and three times in the spring. For most commercial and multi-unit buildings, supervisory staff must complete training annually. High-rise buildings require training every six months.
Fire drills must be conducted according to the schedule in your plan. Keep a log of every drill, the date, the time, and the staff who supervised it.
The fire safety plan box
Your approved plan must be stored in a metal fire safety plan box. The box must be at least 33 centimetres wide, 33 centimetres high, and 10 centimetres deep. It must be locked with a standard padlock that fire crews can cut with bolt cutters, and a spare key must be kept inside.
Where to mount the box:
- Mount the box inside the building, near the main entrance. The top of the box should be between 1.5 and 1.8 metres from the floor.
- In high-rise buildings, mount the box in the central alarm control room or fire alarm panel room.
- If your building has 24-hour security, you may place the box at the security desk at a convenient height.
- Keep building access keys in the box only if there is 24-hour security nearby. Otherwise, use an exterior key lockbox.
Need help or have questions?
Our Fire Prevention office is here to help you stay compliant and keep your building safe. Call or visit us at:
Fire Station 1 (Headquarters), 210 Water Street, Wrenford, ON N4Q 1A6. Phone: 519-555-0115. Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
You can also email [email protected] with your questions.