If you’re managing a construction project in the District of North Vancouver, your Construction Fire Safety Plan (CFSP) must be submitted to and accepted by District of North Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services (DNVFRS) before construction begins. DNV has detailed, specific requirements that go beyond the provincial minimum — and the department conducts random site inspections to verify compliance throughout the build.
This guide covers the DNV-specific requirements: what triggers the requirement, what your plan must address, the submission and acceptance process, and the ongoing site compliance standards DNVFRS enforces.
The Legal Framework
Construction fire safety plans in the District of North Vancouver must comply with three overlapping sets of rules:
- BC Fire Code 2024, Sections 2.8 and 5.6 — the provincial standard for fire safety during construction and demolition
- BC Building Code, Part 8 — construction safety provisions that intersect with fire safety requirements
- DNV Fire Bylaw — the District’s municipal bylaw, which enforces and supplements provincial requirements
Compliance with the BC Fire Code alone is not sufficient — your plan must also satisfy DNV’s specific municipal requirements.
When Is a CFSP Required?
A Construction Fire Safety Plan is required for all buildings or portions of buildings prior to the commencement of construction, alteration, or demolition in the District of North Vancouver. This applies to new builds, major renovations, and demolition of any scale. The plan must be submitted and accepted before work begins.
Submission and Acceptance Process
Your CFSP must be submitted to DNVFRS in PDF format for review and approval. The plan must include a cover page with:
- Site name and address
- Coloured photographs of the site and key features
- Date the plan was prepared and any revision dates
Upon review and acceptance, DNVFRS issues a formal letter or email of acceptance. This document must be placed at the front of the CFSP binder and kept on-site at all times — it will be checked during site inspections.
Contact DNVFRS Public Safety Division:
📞 604-980-7575
📧 firecom@dnv.org
What Your Plan Must Cover
Your CFSP must address the full scope of BCFC Section 5.6 and DNV requirements:
Personnel and Contacts
- General contractor and site supervisor with 24/7 emergency contacts
- Owner and project manager contact details
- Designated Fire Safety Coordinator
Fire Hazard Controls
- Hot work permit system (welding, cutting, grinding, brazing)
- Combustible refuse management and removal schedule
- Flammable liquid and gas storage controls
- Temporary heating equipment protocols
Emergency Procedures
- Alarm activation and fire department notification procedures
- Evacuation plan and designated muster point
- Instructions for all site personnel
Site Plans
- Fire department vehicle access routes
- Fire hydrant and Fire Department Connection (FDC) locations
- Emergency egress routes and exits
- Hazardous material storage areas
- Tower crane location and THARRP registration details (if applicable)
DNV-Specific Ongoing Site Requirements (Updated December 2025)
DNVFRS publishes ongoing site compliance requirements that are verified during random site visits throughout construction. These are distinct from — and in addition to — your initial CFSP submission.
THARRP Crane Registration
If a tower crane is present on your site, it must be registered with THARRP (Tower Crane Height and Radius Restriction Program) and comply with the associated process. This is a DNV-specific requirement not found in all Lower Mainland municipalities.
Fire Hydrant Clearance Rules
All fire hydrants on or adjacent to the site must remain clear and accessible at all times with a minimum 1 metre of clearance around each hydrant. Hydrants must remain outside of any construction fencing — they must never be enclosed within site barriers.
After-Hours First Responder Access
Access points must be maintained at all times — especially after hours — for DNVFRS, BC Ambulance, and all other first responders. Site fencing, locked gates, and temporary closures must not impede emergency vehicle access when the site is unmanned.
Site Address Visibility
Site address numbers must be clearly visible and large enough to be read from the street. This is essential for emergency response time.
Access Signs and Site Plan Posting
Fire department access signs must be posted at every construction site access point. Additionally, a construction site plan must be posted at each access point — so emergency crews arriving at any entrance have immediate access to the site layout. Plans kept only in the site office do not meet this requirement.
Fire Extinguisher Servicing
At all horn stations on the site, portable fire extinguishers must be inspected and serviced within the past 12 months. Extinguishers with expired service tags will be flagged during random DNVFRS site visits.
Progressive Standpipe Installation
If a standpipe system is part of the development, it must be installed and charged progressively. Each completed storey must have an operational standpipe system capable of being charged through the Fire Department Connection (FDC). The FDC must be accessible at all times and clearly identified with appropriate signage.
Random Site Inspections
Unlike municipalities that only inspect at specific milestones, DNVFRS conducts random site visits at any point during construction. Your CFSP acceptance letter must be on-site, the binder must be accessible, and your site must be operating in full compliance with the DNV site requirements. Non-compliance can result in stop-work orders and required re-inspection before work resumes.
Fire Watch and Hot Work
A valid hot work permit is required before any cutting, welding, grinding, or brazing. A continuous fire watch must be maintained during hot work and for a minimum period (typically 60 minutes) after work is complete. Fire watch documentation must be kept on-site.
Get a Construction Fire Safety Plan for Your DNV Project
Get Fire Plan prepares Construction Fire Safety Plans for construction projects throughout the District of North Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. We’re familiar with DNVFRS requirements — including THARRP crane registration, the hydrant clearance rules, and the formal acceptance letter process — so your plan is compliant from day one.
- CAD-designed site plans with coloured site photos meeting DNV cover page requirements
- Full BCFC 2.8 and 5.6 / BCBC Part 8 / DNV Bylaw compliance
- Upfront pricing, guaranteed acceptance by DNVFRS
👉 View our North Vancouver construction fire safety plan services →
📞 778-574-2895 | contactus@getfireplan.com
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Guides: BC Fire Code requirements · What a CFSP costs · How long it takes · What a plan must include