What Happens During a Toronto Fire Department Inspection - And How to Be Ready

A call from Toronto Fire Services saying they're coming to inspect your building is the moment most building owners dread. It doesn't have to be. If you know what inspectors look for and your building is properly maintained, an inspection is straightforward.

Here's exactly what happens during a commercial building inspection in Toronto, what inspectors check, and what gets people into trouble.

Who Conducts Fire Inspections in Toronto?

Fire safety inspections in Toronto are conducted by fire prevention officers from Toronto Fire Services, which operates under the Fire Prevention Division. These are not firefighters  -  they are trained fire code inspectors whose job is to identify violations of the Ontario Fire Code in occupied buildings.

Inspections can be triggered in several ways: a complaint from a tenant or neighbour, a routine inspection cycle, a permit application, a change of occupancy, or a follow-up on a previous Notice of Violation. Routine commercial inspections in Toronto are generally unannounced.

Reference: Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997  -  Inspection authority

What Happens When the Inspector Arrives

When a fire prevention officer arrives at your building, they will present their identification and explain the purpose of the visit. You or your building manager should meet them at the main entrance. Have the following ready:

• Your current, approved Fire Safety Plan  -  this is the first thing most inspectors ask for

• Maintenance records for fire protection systems

• Staff training records

• Fire drill records

• Any previous inspection reports or NOVs

The inspector will typically start with a review of your documentation, then conduct a physical walk-through of the building.

The Documentation Review

Fire Safety Plan

The inspector will ask to see your approved Fire Safety Plan. They want to confirm it exists, that it's been approved by the fire department, that it's current (reviewed within the last 12 months), and that it's stored in the approved location  -  typically a Fire Safety Plan box near the main firefighters' entrance.

If you don't have one, or it's years out of date, this alone generates a Notice of Violation. It's the most common violation I see.

Reference: OFC 2.8.1.1  -  FSP required on site

Maintenance Records

The inspector will check that your fire protection systems are being maintained at the required frequencies. This includes annual fire alarm inspection reports from a ULC-listed contractor, annual sprinkler inspection reports, fire extinguisher service tags (monthly visual and annual service), and emergency lighting test logs.

Reference: OFC Part 2  -  System maintenance requirements

Training and Drill Records

For most commercial buildings, the inspector will ask whether supervisory staff have been trained on the Fire Safety Plan, and whether fire drills have been conducted. Records must be on site. For retirement homes and care occupancies, drill records are scrutinized in detail  -  three drills per year are required.

The Physical Walk-Through

After the documentation review, the inspector walks the building. They are looking for:

Means of Egress

Every exit corridor, stairwell, and exit door will be checked. Common violations: storage blocking corridors, exit doors that don't open freely, exit signs that aren't illuminated, emergency lighting that isn't working, and fire doors propped open or with damaged closers.

Reference: OFC 2.7  -  Means of egress requirements

Fire Protection Equipment

The inspector will check that fire extinguishers are in their designated locations, accessible, have current inspection tags, and are the correct type for the hazard. They'll check that fire hose cabinets are accessible. They'll look at the fire alarm panel for any active trouble signals.

Fire Doors and Separations

Fire doors must self-close and latch. If a fire door is propped open, damaged, or fails to close and latch, that's a violation. The inspector will check doors throughout the building, particularly between occupancies and at stairwells.

Reference: OFC 2.2.3.5  -  Fire door maintenance

Hazard Control

Combustible materials stored near electrical panels, under stairwells, or blocking sprinkler heads are common violations. The inspector will also look for obvious ignition sources near combustibles.

If Violations Are Found

If the inspector identifies violations, they will issue a Notice of Violation citing specific OFC sections and setting compliance deadlines. Minor violations may have a 30 to 90 day deadline. Serious violations  -  particularly imminent hazards  -  can require immediate action.

You'll receive a written copy of the NOV. Respond to it immediately. The violations don't go away, and each day of continued non-compliance after the deadline is a separate offence with escalating fines.

How to Prepare

The best preparation for a fire inspection is simply to maintain your building properly year-round. But if you want to do a pre-inspection check, here's a quick list:

• Locate your Fire Safety Plan and confirm it's current and in its designated location

• Pull your maintenance records for the last 12 months  -  alarm, sprinkler, extinguishers, emergency lighting

• Walk your exit corridors and stairwells  -  remove any storage or obstructions

• Check every fire extinguisher has a current monthly inspection tag

• Check all exit signs are illuminated and all emergency lighting units are functioning

• Test your fire doors  -  close them and confirm they latch properly

• Check your fire alarm panel for any active trouble signals and address them

If you want a professional pre-inspection compliance audit, we do fire safety inspections across the GTA. We'll identify everything the fire department is likely to flag, before they do.

Sterling Safety  -  613-794-3320 | info@sterlingsafety.ca | sterlingsafety.ca  |  Toronto, GTA & Southern Ontario  -  Free site visit, fixed pricing, fire department submission included.