Fire Inspections & Guidelines
Find out what your responsibilities are and be prepared for your next fire inspection.
The Surrey Fire Service is dedicated to improving the overall safety of our residents and visitors. Regularly scheduled inspections by Fire Prevention and Fire Suppression members ensure that commercial, industrial, public assembly buildings, and residential occupancies are compliant with the BC Fire Code.
During these inspections, buildings are checked for:
- the condition of the fire safety equipment (including fire alarms, sprinkler systems, emergency lighting, extinguishers, etc.)
- fire hazards,
- life safety issues, and
- access for fire fighting and more.
Commercial Fire Inspections Requirements
Making sure buildings are free from fire hazards isn't just common sense - it's the law. As building owners and commercial tenants you have a responsibility to fulfill certain requirements under the BC Fire Code.
To help you understand your responsibilities, Surrey Fire Services has outlined the inspection process and created a series of reference booklets directed towards a specific industry or occupancy. Review the booklet that pertains to your building usage and prepare for your next annual inspection.
Inspection Process
Reference Booklets
- Commercial Fire Inspections – General information about fire inspections and special hazard considerations
- Fire Safety and You - General information for building owners and commercial tenants
- Fire Inspection Guidelines for Multi-Residential - Fire Code requirements for apartment and condominium buildings
- Fire Inspection Guidelines for Warehouses - Fire Code requirements for warehousing and storage buildings
- Fire Inspection Guidelines for Daycares - Fire Code requirements for daycare and preschool facilities
- Fire Inspection Guidelines for Schools - Fire Code requirements for public and private schools
- Fire Inspection Guidelines for Manufacturing - Fire Code requirements for manufacturing and production facilities
- Fire Inspection Guidelines for Assembly Occupancies - Fire Code requirements for places of worship, night clubs, pubs, community halls, libraries and restaurants
- Fire Inspection Guidelines for Hospitals - Fire Code requirements for hospitals, health care facilities and residential care facilities
- Fire Inspection Guidelines for Retail / Commercial Buildings - Fire Code requirements for shopping centres, strip malls and multi-unit commercial buildings
- Fire Inspection Guidelines for Offices - Fire Code requirements for office buildings, professional centers and government office buildings
- Fire Inspection Guidelines for Service Stations - Fire Code requirements for gas stations and automotive shops
Occupant Load Applications
The Surrey Fire Services requires an occupant load calculation for all applicable Assembly Occupancies.
If you are looking to have an occupant load calculation completed for your existing or new assembly occupancy (e.g., place of worship, restaurant, school, club, daycare, etc.), you will be required to have an Architect or Registered professional fill out an occupant load information sheet. If an occupant load calculation is a condition of your building permit, it is required to comply with the BC Building Code, BC Fire Code, applicable City bylaws and regulations.
If you are looking to replace a missing occupant load sign or have any questions, please contact fireprevention@surrey.ca
Fire Safety Plan Guidelines
If your occupancy/building type requires a Fire Safety Plan, you should review the Fire Safety Plan Guidelines from the Fire Prevention Officer's Association of British Columbia.
Then, when you're ready, submit a fire safety plan online to the Surrey Fire Service's Fire Prevention Division for review.
Residential Fire Inspections
Home owners and tenants can request a HomeSafe inspection and/or a free smoke alarm installation from on-duty Surrey Fire Service members. To request yours, check out our HomeSafe Program.