Why do I need a Fire Safety Plan in Ontario?

If you own or manage a building with a fire alarm system in Ontario, you are legally required to have an approved Fire Safety Plan under the Ontario Fire Code (O. Reg. 213/07), Section 2.8. This applies to apartment and condo buildings, commercial offices, retail, restaurants, and warehouses across Toronto, Mississauga, Markham, Vaughan, and Etobicoke. Without an approved plan on site, you risk fire department orders, fines, and delays getting occupancy.

Which buildings actually need a Fire Safety Plan?

The Ontario Fire Code requires a Fire Safety Plan for most buildings with a fire alarm system, plus all assembly occupancies such as restaurants and banquet halls, care occupancies such as retirement and long term care homes, high buildings, and many industrial and storage occupancies. If you are not sure where your building in the GTA falls, send us the details and we will confirm in plain language, at no cost.

What is changing with Ontario fire safety requirements in 2026?

Ontario updates the Fire Code on a regular cycle, and recent changes, including O. Reg. 87/25, mean a plan that was approved a few years ago may no longer meet current requirements. Enforcement is tightening across the GTA at the same time. We review your existing Fire Safety Plan against the current Ontario Fire Code, flag anything out of date, and bring it back into compliance before it becomes a problem with the fire department.

How long does it take to get a Fire Safety Plan approved?

It depends on the size and complexity of your building and your local fire department's review queue, but we are built for speed. Because we know exactly what Toronto Fire Services, Mississauga Fire and Emergency Services, and the other GTA departments look for, our submissions rarely come back for corrections. That is what saves you the weeks of back and forth most owners run into.

Do I need a Fire Safety Plan for a construction or demolition project?

Yes. The Ontario Fire Code (Part 5) requires fire safety measures and a plan for construction and demolition sites before and during the work. We create site specific plans covering fire crew access, hot work controls, standpipe provisions, and muster points for projects across Toronto, Etobicoke, Vaughan, and the wider GTA.

How often do I need to review my Fire Safety Plan?

The Ontario Fire Code requires your plan to be reviewed at least once every 12 months, and updated right away whenever you renovate, change the building's use, or change the layout. We offer annual review packages for property managers and condo boards across the GTA, so your plans never lapse and you are not scrambling the week before an inspection.

We are applying for an AGCO liquor licence. What fire requirements apply?

Before the AGCO issues a liquor licence, your municipality has to confirm your space is safe, and fire approval is a core part of that sign off. For restaurants and bars in Toronto, Mississauga, Markham, and across the GTA, that usually means an approved Fire Safety Plan, a posted occupant load, clear exiting, and confirmation your fire alarm and suppression systems are in good standing. We prepare the documents and handle the fire side so your licence is not held up.

I manage multiple buildings. Can you handle a whole portfolio?

Yes, this is a big part of what we do. Property managers carry fire safety responsibility across a portfolio, where every building has its own plan, its own annual review date, and its own fire department jurisdiction. We standardize your plans, track every review date, and give you one point of contact for all of your sites across Toronto and the GTA, so nothing slips through the cracks.

What areas do you serve?

We are based in the Greater Toronto Area and serve building owners and managers across Toronto (Downtown, North York, Scarborough, and Etobicoke), Peel (Mississauga and Brampton), York Region (Markham, Vaughan, and Richmond Hill), and the wider GTA and Southern Ontario.

What is included in your Fire Safety Plan package?

Our Ontario Fire Safety Plan package is built to meet the Ontario Fire Code and your local fire department's requirements. You receive: an on site audit of your fire alarm, sprinkler, extinguisher, and exit systems; a custom site specific plan written to current Ontario Fire Code standards, never a generic template; clear building diagrams showing exits, equipment, and shut offs; full fire department submission and communication with the Chief Fire Official until it is approved; and digital and printed copies of the approved plan for your fire safety plan box and your records.

What is the process for getting a Fire Safety Plan?

We keep it simple, four steps. First, a site visit to map your fire safety equipment and any hazards. Second, drafting, where our team writes the plan and prepares the diagrams. Third, submission to your local fire department's plan review. Fourth, approval and delivery, where once it is approved we deliver the official plan ready to post on site. Call us to get started.

Keeping What Matters Safe: Simple, Life-Saving Tips to Prevent House Fires

Jun 9
3 min read

The kitchen is the heart of the home, but it is also the most dangerous room when it comes to fire hazards. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of residential fires in Ontario.

Never Leave the Stove Unattended: If you need to leave the kitchen for even a minute, turn off the burner. This is especially true when frying, grilling, or boiling food at high temperatures.

Clear the Launchpad: Keep anything that can catch fire—potholders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, and towels—at least three feet away from the stovetop.

Know How to Fight a Grease Fire: Never throw water on a grease fire; it will cause the fire to explode violently. Instead, carefully slide a metal lid over the pan to smother the flames and turn off the burner. Keep a working class-B fire extinguisher near the kitchen.

2. Space Heaters and Electrical Safety

As temperatures fluctuate, many of us turn to portable space heaters or plug in extra appliances, putting an unexpected strain on our home’s electrical system.

Give Heaters Space: Keep portable space heaters at least three feet away from curtains, bedding, furniture, and clothing. Always plug them directly into a wall outlet, never an extension cord.

Inspect Your Cords: Periodically check appliances for frayed wires, exposed cords, or loose plugs. If an electrical cord feels hot to the touch, unplug it immediately.

Avoid Outlet Overloading: Avoid daisy-chaining power strips or overloading a single wall outlet with multiple high-draw appliances.

3. Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms: Your First Line of Defense

In a fire, smoke doesn't wake you up—it actually puts you into a deeper sleep. Working alarms are the only reliable way to get the early warning you need to escape.

The Ontario Law: By law in Ontario, you must have a working smoke alarm on every story of your home and outside all sleeping areas.

Test Monthly: Press the test button on your smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms at least once a month.

Change the Batteries: Replace the batteries at least once a year (a good rule of thumb is to do this when you change your clocks for Daylight Saving Time).

Know the Expiry Date: Smoke alarms don't last forever. Replace the entire unit every 10 years, and replace CO alarms every 5 to 7 years depending on the manufacturer guidelines.

4. Create a Family Escape Plan

If a fire breaks out tonight, does your family know exactly what to do? In a real fire, toxic smoke can reduce visibility to zero in less than two minutes.

Find Two Ways Out: Ensure every room has two clear exit paths (usually a door and a window). Ensure windows aren't jammed or painted shut.

Pick a Meeting Spot: Choose a fixed landmark outside the home—like a specific tree, a neighbor’s driveway, or a mailbox—where everyone will gather after escaping.

Practice the Drill: Practice your home escape plan with everyone in the household at least twice a year. Practice crawling low under smoke, as the cleanest air will always be closest to the floor.

Get Out and Stay Out: Once you escape a burning building, never go back inside for any reason—whether for electronics, wallets, or even pets. Let professional firefighters handle the rescue.

Final Thoughts

Fire safety isn’t about being fearful; it’s about being prepared. Taking 15 minutes this weekend to test your smoke alarms, clear out your dryer lint trap, and talk to your kids about your outside meeting spot can make all the difference.

Want to make sure your commercial property, place of worship, or multi-residential building is fully protected and compliant with the updated Ontario Fire Code? Contact the team at Sterling Safety today at sterlingsafety.ca for a professional compliance review.

Keeping What Matters Safe: Simple, Life-Saving Tips to Prevent House Fires

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