When to Submit a Fire Plan? (Part 2 of 2)

This blog is written based on experience with the New Brunswick Office of the Fire Marshal (NB OFM).  Other jurisdictions may have some different requirements, such as the Nova Scotia Fire Safety Act which requires certain high hazard industrial occupancies to submit building plans for review. Generally, however, this blog is applicable throughout Canada. Your local authority having jurisdiction should be consulted to confirm Fire Plan requirements.

Part 1 of this blog discussed when a Fire Plan is required to be submitted to the NB OFM. This blog discusses what is required to be included in a Fire Plan submission. As discussed previously, a Fire Plan is a set of documents and drawings which show the civil, architectural, electrical, and mechanical design elements of a building which are reviewed for compliance with the National Building Code of Canada (NBCC), and other applicable standards.

Below are the general requirements for all Fire Plan submissions. Additional specific requirements for special care homes, daycare facilities, petroleum product facilities and automatic suppression system designs are also identified.

General Building Fire Plan Requirements:

• All Fire Plan submissions should be accompanied by a transmittal which includes the submitter’s name and contact information, the building owners name and contact information, the name and complete civic address of the building, and a description of the new construction or modification being performed.
• All submissions must include one set of paper plans which will be retained by NB OFM. If the submitter desires the return of a set(s) of plans, additional set(s) should be submitted.

All Fire Plan submissions should have the following information:

• Site plan showing the location of the proposed location of the building to be constructed, converted or altered, the property lines, and adjacent buildings,
• A plan of each floor level showing the exits, partitions, balconies, proposed use or occupancy of the floor areas, fire alarm components, exit signage, emergency lighting, the location of portable fire extinguishers, and other required fire safety features,
• Floor plans shall have a scale of not less than 1:100 (1/8”=1’-0”)
• A longitudinal cross-section of the building,
• Automatic fire suppression system drawings, where applicable,
• Fire separation locations and details, if applicable,
• Occupant load calculations, exit analysis, where required,
• Floor, wall, ceiling, and roof construction details, as applicable,
• Specifications of construction, if applicable,
• A “OFM Fire Plan Review Form”,

Special Care Home and Early Learning/Child Care Facility Fire Plan Requirements:

The Fire Plan submission shall be made to the Department of Social Development (special care homes), or the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (childcare facilities), as applicable, prior to be submitted to NB OFM. Fire Plans shall:

• Have a scale of not less than 1:100 (1/8”=1’-0”), or the plans shall be completely dimensioned including each room and the overall dimension of the building(s),
• Include a completed “OFM Adult Residential Facilities and Adult Community Residences Fire Prevention Plan Review” or “OFM Early Learning and Childcare Centres Plan Review” form, as applicable, and,
  • A floor plan of each floor showing:
    • Exits, partitions, windows, doors, stairs, room names,
    • Location of wood or gas stoves,
    • Locations of smoke alarms and/or fire alarm system components,
    • Location of emergency lighting,
    • Location of fire extinguishers,
    • Location of fire suppression system valves,
    • For daycares, identify rooms which are used for early learning and child care centre activities,
  • At least two colour photographs showing two or more different entire building faces.
  • Indicate if the facility is new, existing, or a relocation,
  • Indicate the purpose of the submission (change of licence, interior renovation, addition, etc.),
  • For new buildings or additions, also include exterior elevation drawings, construction details of walls, floors and roof assemblies, and a site plan.

Petroleum Products Facility Fire Plan Requirements:

The Fire Plan submission to the NB OFM shall include:

• Plans showing:
  • the number of storage tanks,
  • the capacity of each in litres,
  • the type and quantity of each petroleum product to be stored,
  • the location of the plant in relation to other buildings, or properties, diking, fencing, fire and explosion safety features, and
  • other safety features as required by the Fire Marshal, the NBCC and the National Fire Code of Canada Part 4 “Flammable and Combustible Liquids”
• Specifications of construction (if applicable),
• Detailed design drawings shall be stamped by an engineer who is knowledgeable and competent in the areas of flammable and combustible liquid storage, handling, transferring, processing and dispensing.

Automatic Fire Protection System Fire Plan Requirements:

• Building construction drawings must be submitted prior to, or with, the submission of sprinkler drawings,
• Where a Professional Engineer or Consultant is involved with the sprinkler design, the shop drawings submitted to the OFM shall be reviewed by the P.Eng. or Consultant prior to submission to the OFM.
• Detailed shop drawings and design, including:
  • a catalogue cut of each type of sprinkler, and backflow prevention assembly used in the design,
  • a copy of a recent water flow test (within 12 months) performed as close as possible to this site, and
  • a safety margin required over available water supplies. (refer to TechNotes for information).

More information can be attained by contacting the NB OFM.

PLC Fire Safety Engineering has the knowledge and expertise to help plan submitters (Owners, Facility Operators, Architects, etc.) with their fire and life safety needs. PLC staff is knowledgeable in the requirements of the National Building and Fire codes and can help identify the potential building and life safety issues.