Submit a fire safety plan

Work with Waterloo Fire Rescue to create a fire safety plan and submit it for approval.


On this page:

  1. What a fire safety plan includes
  2. Who needs a plan
  3. How to submit your plan
  4. Contact us

What a fire safety plan includes

A fire safety plan explains how to prevent fires and protect people if one happens. 

It outlines:

  • evacuation procedures
  • possible fire hazards
  • sprinkler and alarm details
  • how to safely shut off equipment

Waterloo Fire Rescue reviews and approves these plans to confirm they meet the Ontario Fire Code and the city’s Fire Safety Box Bylaw.

If your building requires a fire safety plan, you must submit it for approval before it can be used.

As the building owner, you are responsible for understanding and using your fire safety plan to prepare for an emergency.


Who needs a plan

You need a fire safety plan if you own one of the properties listed.

If you need a fire safety plan, that means you also need a fire safety box. This box helps firefighters quickly find your plan and building details during an emergency. 

Learn more on our Fire Safety Box page.

Residential, commercial and office buildings:

  • boarding, lodging and rooming houses
  • buildings that are 4-stories or taller
  • offices with more than 300 occupants
  • recreational camps regulated under the Health Protection and Promotion Act
  • residences with more than 10 occupants
  • stores and businesses with more than 300 occupants

Care and health facilities:

  • hospitals and health care facilities
  • nursing homes and children’s custodial homes for more than 3 people

Assembly spaces:

  • assembly halls
  • nightclubs
  • places of worship
  • restaurants
  • shopping malls
  • theatres

Industrial buildings:

  • low hazard with more than 300 occupants
  • medium hazard with more than 100 occupants
  • high hazard with more than 25 occupants

Potentially dangerous spaces:

  • laboratories 
  • properties containing more than 250 litres of Class I liquids
  • properties containing more than 500 litres of flammable and combustible liquids

How to submit your plan

Email fire@waterloo.ca or call 519-884-2121 to:

  • request a fire safety plan template
  • get help with the review and approval process

A fire prevention officer will confirm what information you need to include and how to submit your plan.


Contact us

Contact us with any questions about fire safety plans: