Construction and demolition site fire safety plans

The National Fire Code (Alberta edition) requires buildings or parts of buildings undergoing construction or demolition to have a fire safety plan. This includes single family residential developments. Before work can be started, the fire safety plan must be submitted to us for acceptance in writing.

The owner, developer, or contractor is responsible for the fire safety plan until full occupancy.

What type of fire safety plan is needed?

For projects under $5,000, no fire safety plan is required.

Need more info?

Information on who needs a plan, how to submit a plan, where to store them, and other requirements can be found on our fire safety plans page.

Learn more

Generic Small Building

For use in residential single family, semi-detached, or duplex buildings only. Builders can use one generic fire safety plan which covers the city.

Our small building template is a fillable pdf form. Once completed, save the form as a PDF. Visit 311, create a Fire Safety Plan Review (FSPR) service request and attach the PDF. A Fire Safety Codes Officer will follow up.

Copies must be made by the builder and a copy of this fire safety plan must be posted on site for each building. This template is the only plan we accept for review.

Customized Site-Specific

A customized site-specific fire safety plan is required for each building.

The safety measures for hot works and hot surface applications need to be described in the required fire safety plan.

Our customized site-specific guide is used to develop a fire safety plan. Once a plan is completed, it must be uploaded to 311 for review and acceptance.

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Creating fire safety plans

To help you create your Fire Safety Plan we supply each building and business with the following information and documents. This information should be stored in a binder labeled “Fire Safety Plan”.

Vital Building Information (VBI) Form

The vital building information form is a quick reference sheet for initial responders and must be completed by someone knowledgeable enough to provide accurate information. If additional details and information can be added to the tabbed sections (see below). Not all sections in the form will apply to all buildings, please complete the information that applies to your building or business.

You are required to have five copies of this form in the fire safety binder.

Approved Fire Safety Plan Symbols

These approved symbols should be used on the base building drawing and if applicable the fire alarm zone drawing. Not all symbols may be needed on all drawings and only the symbols used on the drawings are required in the legend.

Sample Base Building Drawings

Our sample base building drawing shows you how to label items such as fire department access points, stairways, fire department connections and the separations between building areas like office and warehouse. Not all symbols may be needed on all drawings. Only the symbols used in your drawings are required in the legend.

You are required to have 5 copies of your building drawings in the fire safety binder.

Sample Fire Alarm Zone Drawings

Fire alarm zone drawings are required when a building has a fire alarm system that has zoned coverage. During an alarm, a fire alarm system with zoned coverage will indicate at the fire alarm panel which zone in the building is in alarm but it doesn’t give an exact location of the device that set the system into alarm. These drawings will let the fire crews know which section of the building is covered by which zone. Only symbols used are required in the legend.

You are required to have 5 copies of these drawings in the fire safety binder.

Sample Fire Alarm Zone Drawings

Tabbed Sections

All of the information and drawings within the fire safety binder should be inserted into appropriately labeled sections with tabs. If there is more information than can fit into the VBI form, insert that information in the appropriately labeled section.

Copies of all maintenance certificates (fire alarms, fire pump, sprinklers systems etc.) should be inserted in appropriately labeled sections.

For more information about developing a Fire Safety Plan, contact Fire Inspections and Investigations by calling 311 from within Calgary or at 403-268-2489 if calling from outside Calgary.

Safety measures

Minimum safety measures at construction or demolition sites include

  • Accessibility for emergency crews
  • All hydrants must be operable and kept free from obstructions
  • Standpipe connections must be identified and accessible
  • Site must be kept clear of combustible debris
  • Site must be secured
  • Contractors must provide fire extinguishers at accessible locations
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