What is a fire wall?
A fire wall is a structural barrier designed to stop a fire from spreading between buildings or separate sections of a large building. In Wrenford, fire walls must meet the standards in the Ontario Building Code and the City of Wrenford Fire Safety Plan requirements.
When you need a fire safety plan for a fire wall
You must submit a fire safety plan if you are:
- Building a new structure with a fire wall
- Renovating or modifying an existing fire wall
- Changing the use of a building that relies on a fire wall for separation
If your project involves a fire wall, the plan helps our Fire Prevention staff verify that the wall will perform as expected during a fire emergency.
How to submit your plan
All fire safety plans for fire walls must be submitted through the Fire Prevention online portal. You will need to create an account or log in with your existing credentials.
Use the Fire Safety Plan template and symbol guide to format your submission correctly. The template includes the required symbols and layout for marking fire wall locations on your building diagrams.
What to include in your plan
Your submission must clearly show:
- The exact location and dimensions of the fire wall on your site plan and floor plans
- The required fire-resistance rating (e.g., 1-hour, 2-hour) based on the building type and occupancy
- Details of the construction materials and assembly methods used to build the wall
- A maintenance and inspection schedule for the wall and any associated fire doors or dampers
- Steps for emergency responders to locate and protect the wall during a fire
Do not install insulation, vapour barrier, or drywall over the fire wall until the required inspection has been completed. You will need to keep a copy of the approved plan on site at all times.
Inspections and ongoing maintenance
Once your plan is approved, you must coordinate with the Building Permits team to schedule any required on-site inspections. The inspector will verify that the fire wall construction matches your approved drawings before any concealing materials are installed.
After construction, you are responsible for maintaining the fire wall in its original condition. This includes keeping fire-rated doors closed and functional, clearing debris from the wall line, and testing any connected smoke detection systems. You must keep a log of all maintenance checks on site and make it available to City staff or emergency responders upon request.
Fees and processing time
The initial review fee for a fire wall safety plan is $150.00. A fee invoice is generated when you submit your plan through the portal.
Staff typically review submissions within 3 business days. If changes are needed, you will receive a comment sheet outlining the required revisions. Once approved, the plan enters a 12-month review cycle. You must submit updated plans within the 30-day update window if any changes are made to the wall or building use.
Need help?
If you have questions about fire wall requirements or need support with your submission, contact the Fire Prevention Office at Fire Station 1.
- Address: 210 Water Street, Wrenford, ON N4Q 1A6
- Phone: 519-555-0115
- Hours: Administration Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Email: [email protected]