Fire Inspection Guidelines

The Surrey Fire Service is dedicated to improving the overall safety of our residents and visitors. Regularly scheduled inspections by Fire Prevention staff 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 (fire alarms, sprinkler systems, emergency lighting, extinguishers, etc.)
• fire hazards,
• life safety issues, and
• access for fire fighting.

Download the Occupant Load Information Sheet.

Commercial Fire Inspection 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, the Surrey Fire Service has created a series of reference booklets. Each booklet is directed towards a specific industry or occupancy. Review the booklet that pertains to your building usage and prepare for your next annual inspection.

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

Residential Fire Inspections

Home owners and renters can request a home inspection by on-duty Surrey Fire Service members. Check out our HomeSafe Program.

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.