What Vancouver Fire Rescue Services Requires in a Fire Safety Plan
Every occupied building in Vancouver that requires a fire safety plan under the BC Fire Code must have that plan accepted by Vancouver Fire Rescue Services (VFRS) before it is valid. VFRS reviews plans for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with both the BC Fire Code and any City of Vancouver requirements specific to the building type.
This guide covers what VFRS expects in a fire safety plan submission and how the review process works.
The Regulatory Framework
Vancouver operates under the BC Fire Code, which is adopted province-wide, but VFRS enforces it with its own review process and standards. A fire safety plan accepted in Richmond or Burnaby is not automatically accepted in Vancouver — each jurisdiction reviews plans independently. If your building is in Vancouver, the plan must be reviewed and accepted by VFRS specifically.
Required Contents of a Vancouver Fire Safety Plan
VFRS requires that a fire safety plan submitted for a Vancouver building include all of the following:
Fire Safety Director and Deputy FSD: A formally appointed individual must be named as Fire Safety Director, with a signed letter of appointment. A Deputy FSD must also be named. The FSD is responsible for implementing the plan and coordinating evacuation.
Complete fire protection equipment inventory: The plan must document every fire protection system in the building — fire alarm panel (make, model, location), pull station locations, smoke and heat detectors, sprinkler system (type, shutoff location), fire extinguishers (type, location, service dates), emergency lighting, and gas and electrical shutoff locations.
CAD-drawn floor plans: Every floor of the building must be covered by a floor plan drawing showing exit routes, fire equipment locations, assembly areas, and any special hazard areas. Freehand sketches are not acceptable — drawings must be to scale.
Evacuation procedures: The plan must document evacuation procedures for all occupants, including specific procedures for mobility-impaired individuals who cannot use stairs. For high-rise buildings, this includes area of refuge procedures and floor warden responsibilities.
Emergency contact directory: The plan must include current contact information for the fire alarm monitoring company (including the account number and monitoring telephone number), elevator service company, fire protection maintenance contractor, and building management.
High-Rise Requirements
Buildings in Vancouver over a certain height trigger additional VFRS requirements that do not apply to low-rise buildings:
Floor warden program: Each floor must have a designated floor warden responsible for confirming evacuation is complete and reporting to the Fire Safety Director.
Firefighter communication systems: Hardwired firefighter telephone jacks and public address systems must be documented with locations shown on floor plan drawings.
Emergency generator and fire pump: If the building has a backup power system or dedicated fire pump, the location, service contractor, and shutdown procedure must be documented.
Standpipe system: Standpipe connection locations must be shown on floor plan drawings for each floor.
Fire department key box: The Knox box location must be documented in the plan.
The Submission and Review Process
Fire safety plans for Vancouver buildings are submitted directly to VFRS for review. VFRS will review the plan for completeness and compliance, and may request changes or additional information. This back-and-forth is normal — it is uncommon for a first submission to be accepted without any requests for revision.
Once VFRS accepts the plan, the building owner or strata corporation should retain a copy. The accepted plan must be kept on-site and available for inspection.
When Does a Fire Safety Plan Need to Be Updated?
Under the BC Fire Code, a fire safety plan must be kept current. Changes that typically trigger an update include:
New Fire Safety Director or Deputy FSD
Change in property management company or contact
New fire protection service contractor
Significant changes to the building layout or fire protection systems
VFRS inspection that identifies deficiencies in the existing plan
Contact changes — new FSD, new property manager, new contractor — require submitting an updated plan to VFRS. These updates should be made promptly; an outdated plan with incorrect contact information is a deficiency that can be identified during a fire inspection.
Getting a Vancouver Fire Safety Plan Done
Working with a provider who has an established relationship with VFRS and experience with the specific documentation requirements for Vancouver buildings will reduce the time it takes to get your plan accepted. The requirements are specific and the CAD drawings must be accurate — a plan with errors in the floor plan drawings will be returned for correction.
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