Fire C.O.D. E. Quick Reference Charts for the Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Common Fire Safety Equipment and Systems
These durable 24" × 36" posters provide convenient, at-a-glance reference charts outlining the inspection, testing and maintenance (ITM) requirements for common fire safety equipment and systems under the fire codes adopted by jurisdictions across Canada.
Each chart identifies the applicable Code provisions and references relevant NFPA, ULC and CSA Standards. It also summarizes the required inspection, testing and maintenance activities, identifies any prescribed qualifications for individuals performing specific tasks, where applicable, and outlines the associated record-keeping requirements.
Separate charts are available for the 2015, 2020 and 2025 editions of the National Fire Code (NFC), reflecting the editions currently in use across the provinces and territories, with the exception of Ontario. The charts also incorporate relevant provincial amendments for Manitoba and Québec. A dedicated chart is available for the City of Vancouver, which regulates fire safety under Fire By-law No. 14419, referencing the British Columbia Fire Code 2024, based on the 2020 NFC. In addition, a separate chart has been developed for Ontario’s unique 2026 Fire Code.
These charts are practical tools for building owners, their authorized agents and facility maintenance personnel responsible for ensuring that fire safety equipment and systems are inspected, tested and maintained in accordance with the applicable fire code.
For businesses and organizations operating in multiple jurisdictions across Canada, the charts also provide a convenient way to identify differences in local requirements, including personnel qualifications, inspection and maintenance procedures, and record-keeping obligations. By consolidating these requirements into an accessible visual reference, the charts help users understand and navigate the fire safety compliance requirements applicable to their buildings and operations.
Understanding Fire Codes in Canada
1. What Is a Fire Code?
A fire code is a set of legally enforceable requirements adopted by a jurisdiction through legislation or regulation to help maintain an acceptable level of life safety and to protect property from the effects of fire.
Fire codes address a broad range of fire safety matters, including the development and implementation of fire safety plans; the control of hazardous activities that may create a fire risk; the handling, storage and use of flammable and combustible liquids and other dangerous goods; fire safety at construction and demolition sites; the maintenance of fire safety features incorporated into buildings; and the inspection, testing and maintenance (ITM) of fire safety equipment and systems.
2. Fire Codes Across Canada
With the exception of Ontario, which has developed its own distinct Fire Code, Canadian provinces and territories generally base their fire codes on the model National Fire Code of Canada (NFC), published by the National Research Council of Canada. The NFC is typically updated on afive-year cycle, with the 2025 edition being the most recent.
The adoption of the NFC is a matter of provincial or territorial jurisdiction. Consequently, different editions of the Code-including the 2015, 2020 and 2025 editions-are currently in use across
Canada. A jurisdiction may adopt an edition in its entirety, modify or exclude specific provisions, or introduce additional requirements through provincial or territorial legislation and regulations to address local needs.
Ontario Regulation 213/07, Fire Code 2026, has undergone significant revisions intended to improve alignment with the 2020 NFC. These changes form part of Ontario’s efforts to meet its commitments under the 2020 Construction Codes Reconciliation Agreement between the Government of Canada and the provinces and territories to harmonize construction codes across the country.
3. Inspection, Testing and Maintenance Requirements
An essential component of building fire safety is the routine inspection, testing and maintenance of fire safety equipment and systems. These activities help ensure that fire protection features remain
functional and capable of performing as intended when needed.
Fire codes establish requirements-often referred to as acceptablesolutions-that specify what activities must be performed, how frequently they must occur, who is permitted or qualified to perform them, and what records must be maintained. The applicable requirements depend on the equipment or system involved, the governing fire code, and any relevant referenced standards or jurisdiction-specific provisions.
Building owners, or their authorized agents where permitted, are responsible for ensuring that applicable fire code obligations are met.
It is worth noting that the term owner is not defined in the model NFC. This allows adopting jurisdictions to establish a definition that best meets their legislative and administrative needs. By contrast, both the Ontario Fire Code and Vancouver Fire By-law No. 14419-which references the British Columbia Fire Code 2024-include a definition of owner.
4. Organization of Canadian Fire Codes
Canadian fire codes are organized into three divisions:
- Division
A - Compliance, Objectives and Functional Statements: Establishes the framework for compliance and identifies the objectives and functional statements underlying the Code. - Division B - Acceptable Solutions: Contains the technical provisions that establish the requirements for achieving compliance.
- Division C - Administrative Provisions: Addresses administrative matters associated with the application and enforcement of the Code.
The principal requirements for the inspection, testing and maintenance of fire safety equipment and systems are found in Division B.
5. Referenced Standards
Both NFC-based fire codes and the Ontario Fire Code reference numerous technical standards that establish detailed requirements for particular types of fire safety equipment, systems and activities. These include standards published by organizations such as:
- NFPA - National Fire Protection Association
- ULC - Underwriters Laboratories of Canada
- CSA Group - Canadian Standards Association standards and related technical publications
The referenced standards are identified in Part 1 of Division B of the applicable NFC-based codes and the Ontario Fire Code. When consulting a referenced standard, it is essential to use the edition specified
by the applicable Code, as requirements may differ between editions.
Canadian fire codes and many referenced standards, including NFPA and ULC publications, are available for free online viewing. As outlined in the Links to Fire Codes & Standards section, some documents can also be downloaded. CSA standards referenced in Canadian fire codes are not available through the same free online-access arrangements.
6. Qualifications and Authorization to Perform ITM Activities
Fire codes, referenced standards and other applicable provincial or territorial legislation may establish qualifications, certifications or other conditions that determine who is authorized to inspect,
test and maintain particular types of fire safety equipment and systems.
Although some routine tasks may be suitable for an in-house maintenance team or another person designated by the owner, this should not be assumed to apply to every activity or system. Requirements vary by jurisdiction and by the work being performed.
Building owners and their representatives should consult the local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) to clarify which activities may be performed in-house and which require appropriately qualified or certified personnel. The AHJ should also be consulted regarding any additional provincial or territorial fire safety legislation, regulations or local by-laws that may apply.
The AHJ is typically the Fire Chief, a designated representative, or another person or authority legally empowered to administer and enforce the applicable requirements.
7. Record-Keeping Requirements
Where a fire code requires inspection, testing, maintenance or other operational procedures to be carried out, the applicable records must be maintained in accordance with the governing requirements. Records are generally required to be kept on the premises and made available to the AHJ for examination.
Under the general requirements described here, records must be retained for at least two years, except in Alberta, where the minimum retention period is five years. The specific requirements of the applicable fire code, referenced standards and jurisdictional legislation should always be confirmed.
A fire code may specify the type of records to be maintained and the information they must contain. Where the Code does not provide detailed instructions, record-keeping should follow the applicable requirements or recommendations of the referenced standard, subject to any direction or approval required from the AHJ.
8. Enforcement and Compliance
Fire codes are legally enforceable, and non-compliance can result in significant penalties or other enforcement action. Responsibility for administering, interpreting and enforcing the applicable fire code rests with the AHJ, acting within the authority granted by the relevant legislation.
Building owners and their authorized representatives should therefore ensure that they understand the fire code in force in their jurisdiction, identify the requirements applicable to their buildings and equipment, and maintain appropriate inspection, testing, maintenance and record-keeping practices.
Ultimately, effective fire code compliance is an ongoing responsibility that helps protect building occupants, emergency responders, property and business operations.
The Origin and Purpose of These Charts
The concept for these quick reference charts grew out of a recurring observation during my 25 years of service as both a federal and provincial fire inspector: many building owners had little understanding of their specific legal obligations under the applicable fire code, particularly with respect to the inspection, testing and maintenance (ITM) of the fire safety equipment and systems installed in their buildings.
This should perhaps come as no surprise. Most building owners and operators focus their time, attention and expertise on the business activities for which their buildings are used, rather than on the often complex technical and regulatory requirements associated with fire safety compliance.
Throughout my career, I frequently encountered situations in which building owners were not meeting their fire code obligations simply because they were unaware of what was required of them. This was particularly evident in buildings whose owners had never been subject to a regulatory fire inspection and, consequently, had little reason to appreciate the full extent of their responsibilities.
Recognizing this knowledge gap, I began developing basic reference charts for owners of larger and more complex buildings. The intention was straightforward: to provide a practical summary of the common types of fire safety equipment and systems encountered during inspections, together with their respective inspection, testing and maintenance requirements and prescribed service intervals.
The results were encouraging. During subsequent inspections, I observed a significant improvement in comprehensive voluntary compliance. This experience reinforced my belief that building owners are more likely to fulfill their legal obligations when they have a clear understanding of what those obligations entail and how to meet them.
I recognize that Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) across Canada may not always have the time or resources to provide this level of individual guidance as part of their regulatory inspection programs, where such programs exist. Nevertheless, I believe that fire safety compliance can often be achieved more effectively through education and awareness, supported by appropriate regulatory oversight, than through enforcement alone.
Making Fire Code Requirements More Accessible
In the past, obtaining the information necessary to understand and meet fire code obligations was not always straightforward. Fire codes and many of the standards they referenced had to be purchased, potentially placing them beyond the reach of many building owners. During my inspections, it was uncommon to encounter an owner who possessed a copy of the applicable fire code, let alone the technical standards containing the detailed inspection, testing and maintenance requirements for their equipment and systems.
Without ready access to these documents, and without a clear understanding of the requirements they contained, building owners often struggled to determine what needed to be done, how frequently it needed to be done, who was qualified to perform the work, and what records had to be maintained. In many cases, this lack of awareness contributed to non compliance.
Today, much of the information needed to understand these responsibilities is considerably more accessible, with many Canadian fire codes and numerous referenced standards available for free online viewing. The challenge is no longer simply obtaining the information; it is knowing where to find the applicable requirements and how to navigate the relevant codes and standards.
How These Charts Can Help
These quick reference charts are intended to bridge that information gap. They serve as practical navigational guides to the inspection, testing and maintenance obligations prescribed by the fire code applicable in a building's jurisdiction.
For each type of equipment or system covered, the charts provide the relevant Code references, applicable references to technical standards, a concise summary of the required activities, any prescribed qualifications for individuals performing specific tasks, where applicable, and the associated record-keeping requirements.
Because fire code requirements can differ between provinces, territories and municipalities, building owners must consult the requirements applicable to their particular location. Organizations with properties in multiple jurisdictions face the additional challenge of understanding and complying with potentially different requirements at each location. These charts are designed to help make those differences easier to identify and navigate.
The charts are not intended to replace the applicable fire code, referenced standards or professional advice where required. Rather, they provide a starting point for identifying the relevant requirements and directing users to the authoritative sources needed to understand their responsibilities.
Ultimately, much of the information building owners need to meet their fire code obligations is now readily accessible. The key is knowing where to look, what to look for and how to apply the information to the equipment and systems in their buildings.
My hope is that these charts will make that process easier, encourage building owners to take a more informed and proactive approach to fire safety, and help improve voluntary compliance with applicable fire code requirements. Greater awareness benefits not only building owners, but also building occupants, emergency responders and the wider community.
If these charts help even a portion of building owners better understand and fulfil their responsibilities, they will have served their intended purpose.