Inspection services
The Fire Prevention Services Division of Waterloo Fire Rescue assists building owners to achieve compliance with the Ontario Fire Code by providing inspections. Read more below about types of inspections and other services.
On this page
- Contact Fire Prevention Services Division
- Types of inspections you can request
- Request a demolition inspection
- Request another type of inspection
- Request a fire safety plan review and approval
- Request a file search on a property
- Fees
Contact Fire Prevention Services Division
If you require assistance with any of these services, use the form below to email us or call 519-884-2121.
Emailing or calling with a concern to Waterloo Fire Prevention Services does not automatically validate it as a complaint under the Fire Protection and Prevention Act.
Contact Fire Prevention Services Division
Types of inspections you can request
Waterloo Fire Rescue acts as an authority having jurisdiction in accordance with the Fire Protection and Prevention Act.
Types of inspections to meet fire code requirements:
- inspections required for compliance with the Ontario Fire Code such as approvals, alternative solutions, life safety studies, annual vulnerable occupancy fire drills and required inspections
- those required by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario
- inspections to meet City of Waterloo building demolition requirements
The division does not inspect:
- fire safety equipment and systems in buildings for licence requirements, contact a third-party inspection company for this service
- fire hydrants inspections are conducted by city utilities. Email utilities@waterloo.ca for any fire hydrant related inquiries or to report an issue with a fire hydrant.
Request a demolition inspection
Demolition Inspections are required when buildings in the City of Waterloo are demolished. Demolition inspections must be requested at least 10 business days in advance. Residents and business owners are responsible for allowing sufficient time for applications to be processed and inspections to be completed.
There is no charge for a demolition inspection.
To request a demolition inspection:
- Ensure you have a filled out the City of Waterloo demolition tracking sheet. Find the form on our demolition web page. It must be signed and dated by all parties before submission.
- Be prepared to answer questions related to the building occupancy and a fire safety plan.
- Email fire@waterloo.ca to submit your request.
Request an annual inspection, Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) inspection or to comply with the Ontario Fire Code
Waterloo Fire Services can complete inspections. There is an initial fee equal to the hourly rate and additional hourly costs apply.
The initial fee is $89.09.
- Email fire@waterloo.ca to submit your request.
- Pay at Columbia Street headquarters. Payment is accepted by cheque made payable to the City of Waterloo only.
Payment must be received prior to your request being processed.
Request fire safety plan review and approval
A fire safety plan is the building owner's document, containing important building information, like possible dangers, how to evacuate, details about sprinkler systems, how to turn off equipment, and more.
Waterloo Fire Rescue reviews and approves fire safety plans to make sure they follow both the Ontario’s Fire Code and our city’s Fire Safety Box bylaw. While city services approve these plans, it is the owner's responsibility to use and understand this document because it's intended purpose is to prepare the building owner for a fire emergency.
If you need a fire safety plan, that means you also need a fire safety box. Visit our public education page to learn more about fire safety boxes.
| Who needs a fire safety plan? |
|
Owners of the following buildings:
Assembly occupancies:
Industrial buildings:
Potentially dangerous spaces:
|
Email fire@waterloo.ca or call 519-884-2121 to get a fire safety plan template or learn more about the approval process.
Request a file search on a property
To request a search of fire prevention records of violations or hazards associated with a property, you require a signed letter from the person requesting the file search and written authorization from the current owner giving permission to Fire Prevention Services to conduct and release the findings of the search.
The fee is $45.56 including tax.
We do not accept transactional documents between other parties.
Waterloo Prevention services inspectors are required to follow up on any fire violations or hazards brought to our attention from this search or any fire inspections compelled by the search.
- Email fire@waterloo.ca to submit your request.
- Pay at Columbia Street headquarters. Payment is accepted by cheque made payable to the City of Waterloo only.
Fire Prevention Services 2025 fees
| Fire service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Inspection and re-inspections, per hour, per inspector | $92.54 |
| File search and copy (including tax) | $47.45 |
| Refilling of air cylinders per 40-45 cubic foot cylinder | $12.33 |
| Open burning permit | $69.96 |
| Display fireworks permit | $166.54 |
| Fire Watch & Scene Security, per hour (responsible party not available) | $694.19 |
| Response to hazardous materials incidents, per hour, per firefighter | $225.30 |
| Fire safety plan review, per review, per hour (includes approval) | $74.00 |
| Non-fire safety plan review, per review, per hour (includes approval) | $74.00 |
| Response to motor vehicle collision response, non-resident, (maximum 4 firefighters) | $570.00 |
| Response to elevator entrapment, (maximum 4 firefighters; excludes mechanical and/or electrical failure, and emergency response) | $190.80 |
| Fire Alarm Calls | Fees |
|---|---|
| "Fire alarms" DO NOT mean "Smoke detectors" or "Carbon monoxide detectors" | |
| False fire alarms - Equipment malfunction within 30 day period, per hour, per firefighter (maximum 9 firefighters) | $190.80 |
| Response to false fire alarms - Failure to notify Fire Services, per hour, per firefighter (maximum 9 firefighters) | $190.80 |
| False fire alarm - Malicious (contingent upon conviction under the Criminal Code of Canada), per hour, per firefighter | $190.80 |
| Fire alarm - Owner/agent not responding within/45 minutes, or up to date contact information not included in fire safety lock box. (after 45 minutes), first hour, per firefighter (maximum 4 firefighters) | $190.80 |
| Fire alarm - Owner/agent not responding within/45 minutes, or up to date contact information not included in fire safety lock box. (every 30 minutes after initial charge), per 30 minutes, per firefighter (maximum 4 firefighters) | $95.40 |
| 5000 USWG or less, per hour, per fire prevention officer | $74.00 |