What must a BC fire safety plan include?

A BC fire safety plan must include emergency procedures, evacuation plans, fire extinguisher and pull station locations, floor plan drawings, safe meeting points, vital building information, and maintenance procedures for fire protection systems.

How often should a fire safety plan be updated in BC?

Fire safety plans in BC should be updated whenever structural changes are made to the building, when there are changes in occupancy or use, or when fire protection systems are modified.

Fire Safety Plan Template BC

Q: What is a fire safety plan template in BC?

A fire safety plan template in BC is a standardized document framework that outlines emergency procedures, evacuation routes, fire equipment locations, and building safety information as required by Section 2.8 of the BC Fire Code.

Q: Who needs a fire safety plan in BC?

In British Columbia, a fire safety plan is mandatory for any building with a fire alarm system, premises handling flammable or combustible liquids, premises with hazardous materials, and construction sites.

What Is a Fire Safety Plan Template in BC?

A fire safety plan template in BC is a structured document that helps building owners and managers meet the requirements of Section 2.8 of the British Columbia Fire Code. Whether you manage a commercial building, apartment complex, restaurant, school, or construction site in BC, having a compliant fire safety plan is not optional — it is a legal requirement.

At GetFirePlan.com, we have been creating BC Fire Code compliant fire safety plans for over 15 years across Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby, Richmond, Coquitlam, North Vancouver, Maple Ridge, Port Coquitlam, and the entire Lower Mainland. Below, we explain everything you need to know about fire safety plan templates in BC, what they must include, and how to get one that meets your local fire department's requirements.

Who Needs a Fire Safety Plan in BC?

Under Section 2.8 of the BC Fire Code, a fire safety plan is mandatory for:

Any building equipped with a fire alarm system. Any premise that handles or stores flammable or combustible liquids. Any premise that contains hazardous materials. Any construction site. Buildings with assembly, care, treatment, or detention occupancies.

This covers a wide range of property types including commercial office buildings, apartment buildings and condominiums, restaurants and food service establishments, schools and daycare facilities, shopping centres and strip malls, warehouses and industrial facilities, and active construction sites.

What Must a BC Fire Safety Plan Template Include?

A compliant fire safety plan template in BC must include the following elements as required by the BC Fire Code and your local fire department:

Emergency Procedures: Step-by-step instructions for what building occupants and staff must do in the event of a fire, including how to raise the alarm, how to contact emergency services, and how to safely evacuate the building.

Evacuation Procedures: Detailed evacuation routes and assembly points for all occupants, including special procedures for persons with mobility challenges or disabilities.

Fire Equipment Locations: Clear identification of fire extinguisher locations, fire hose cabinet locations, fire pull station locations, sprinkler system shutoffs, and fire alarm panel location.

Building Floor Plans and CAD Drawings: Accurate, scaled floor plan drawings showing the layout of the building, all exits, escape routes, fire protection systems, and hazardous material storage areas.

Vital Building Information Sheet: Contact information for building owner, fire safety supervisor, and local fire department, plus key building details.

Maintenance Procedures: Scheduled inspection and maintenance requirements for all fire protection systems and equipment.

Staff Training Requirements: Outline of fire safety training requirements for building staff and designated fire wardens.

Fire Safety Plan Template Requirements by BC City

Each municipality in BC has slightly different submission requirements for fire safety plans. Here is a summary:

Vancouver: The City of Vancouver Fire & Rescue Services requires fire safety plans to be submitted in a standard binder format, include a vital building information sheet, and use the approved symbol set for floor plans. Plans must be updated any time structural changes occur.

Surrey: Surrey Fire Service requires all fire safety plans to include the approved Vital Building Information Sheet and Site Plan Symbols. Construction fire safety plans must be submitted before work begins on site.

Burnaby: Burnaby Fire Department follows the BC Fire Code requirements and requires plans for all buildings with fire alarm systems and multi-residential buildings.

Richmond: Richmond Fire-Rescue requires fire safety plans to be uploaded through their online portal and include all building floor plans, evacuation procedures, and fire equipment locations.

Coquitlam: Coquitlam Fire/Rescue requires fire safety plans for buildings with fire alarm systems and provides templates on their website as a starting guide.

North Vancouver: District and City of North Vancouver require fire safety plans based on building use and occupancy type, with regular updates when changes occur.

Why Use a Professional Instead of a Template?

While fire safety plan templates provide a useful starting framework, a template alone rarely meets the specific requirements of your local fire department. Here is why professional fire safety plans from GetFirePlan.com are the better choice:

Accuracy: Our CAD-drawn floor plans precisely show your building layout, exit locations, equipment placement, and evacuation routes — templates cannot do this for your specific building.

Compliance Guarantee: We know the specific requirements of every fire department in the Lower Mainland. Your plan is guaranteed to be approved, or we will fix it for free.

Speed: Many of our fire safety plans are completed and approved within one business day.

100% Money-Back Guarantee: If your fire safety plan is not approved, we refund your money in full.

15+ Years of Experience: We have created fire safety plans for restaurants, schools, apartments, construction sites, shopping centres, and more across BC.

Get Your Fire Safety Plan Today

Stop relying on a generic template that may not meet your fire department's requirements. GetFirePlan.com creates fully compliant, professionally drafted fire safety plans for buildings of all types across British Columbia. Contact us today for a free quote — we typically respond within the hour.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fire Safety Plan Templates in BC

What is a fire safety plan template in BC? A fire safety plan template in BC is a document framework that outlines what must be included in a fire safety plan to comply with Section 2.8 of the BC Fire Code, including emergency procedures, evacuation routes, fire equipment locations, and building floor plans.

Who needs a fire safety plan in BC? Any building in BC with a fire alarm system, any premises handling flammable materials, any construction site, and any building with assembly or care occupancy is legally required to have a fire safety plan under the BC Fire Code.

How much does a fire safety plan cost in BC? Fire safety plan costs in BC vary depending on the size and type of building. GetFirePlan.com offers competitive rates with a 100% money-back guarantee. Contact us for a free quote.

How often should a fire safety plan be updated? Fire safety plans should be updated whenever structural changes occur to the building, when fire protection systems are modified, or when there are changes in occupancy or use of the building.