01
Who is responsible?
Can council name the person responsible for every major fire-safety task?
Font Size: |
Shared Building Fire Safety
Safer strata buildings start with clear responsibility.
Practical fire-safety information for strata councils, property managers, Fire Safety Directors, owners, landlords, tenants and everyone responsible for a shared residential building.
Is a fire alarm, sprinkler, standpipe or other life-safety
system out of service? Follow the building’s Fire Safety Plan, arrange qualified service
and begin the required Fire Watch procedures immediately.
Go to Fire Watch → Protecting people and property
Fire safety in a strata is a coordinated system.
Shared residential buildings depend on working fire-protection equipment, clear exits, an up-to-date Fire Safety Plan, trained supervisory staff and residents who understand what to do during an emergency. A manager or contractor may perform specific work, but responsibility must remain clearly assigned, monitored and documented.
Find the information you need
Strata fire-safety topics
The original ten-part resource is organized below into eight focused destinations, so visitors can go directly to the guidance that applies to them.
01
Governance Roles and Responsibilities
Understand the roles of the strata corporation, council, property manager, Fire Safety Director, contractors, owners and residents.
Understand who is responsible →
02
Council tool Council Fire-Safety Checklist
Confirm responsibilities, records, inspections, deficiencies, emergency procedures and ongoing council oversight.
Check your building →
03
Emergency planning Fire Safety Plans
Understand what a Fire Safety Plan is, who is responsible for it, what information it contains and when it should be reviewed or updated.
Learn about Fire Safety Plans →
04
Building systems Systems and Maintenance
Understand inspections, testing, contractor reports, deficiency tracking, repair verification and recordkeeping.
Review system oversight →
05
Reduced protection System Outages and Fire Watch
Know what to do when alarms, sprinklers, emergency power, exits or other required life-safety features are impaired.
Go to the Fire Watch Program →
06
Building changes Renovations and Shared-Building Hazards
Review permits, hot work, combustible materials, system shutdowns, exits, fire separations and contractor oversight.
Plan safer building work →
07
Resident safety Owners, Landlords and Residents
Find practical information about alarms, evacuation, clear exits, fire doors, storage, tenants and reporting hazards.
Review resident safety →
08
Help and resources Strata FAQs and Resources
Find answers to common questions and access Richmond Fire-Rescue programs, forms, inspections, codes and reporting tools.
Find answers and resources →
A quick council check
Five questions every strata council should answer
An uncertain answer is a warning that council needs more information or follow-up.
02
Is the plan current?
Does the Fire Safety Plan reflect current staff, contacts, systems and building conditions?
03
Are reports current?
Can council produce the latest inspection and maintenance reports for every applicable system?
04
Are deficiencies closed?
Is there written confirmation that reported deficiencies were repaired and verified?
05
Are outage procedures ready?
Could the building begin Fire Watch promptly during an overnight system failure?
Richmond Fire-Rescue services
Plans, inspections, Fire Watch and regulations
These links lead directly to existing Richmond Fire-Rescue services and regulatory information.
01
Fire Safety Plan Upload
Review submission requirements and upload a residential or non-residential Fire Safety Plan.
Upload a Fire Safety Plan →
02
Fire Watch Program
Find Fire Watch procedures, logs, responsibilities and cancellation information.
Go to Fire Watch →
03
Request an Inspection
Review available inspection services and submit the appropriate inspection request.
Request an inspection →
04
Codes and Bylaws
Find the BC Fire Code, Richmond bylaws and related regulatory information.
Review codes and bylaws →
Keep safety visible
Fire safety should be a standing council responsibility.
Regularly review upcoming inspections, open deficiencies, completed repairs, building changes and Fire Safety Plan updates. A problem identified early is easier to correct than a failure discovered during an emergency.
This page provides general fire-safety information. Requirements vary according to building design, occupancy, installed systems, the approved Fire Safety Plan and applicable legislation. Follow the current BC Fire Code and use appropriately qualified service providers.