In Richmond, BC, a Construction Fire Safety Plan (CFSP) is not just best practice — it is a legal requirement before your building permit will be issued. Richmond Fire-Rescue takes construction fire safety seriously, and their plan review process is designed to ensure that construction sites protect workers, protect neighbouring properties, and provide proper access for first responders.
This article covers everything you need to know about Richmond’s construction fire safety plan requirements: what triggers the requirement, what must be in your plan, how to submit it, and what the fees are.
The Legal Basis
Construction fire safety plans in Richmond are required under two sets of rules:
- BC Fire Code 2024, Section 5.6 — the provincial standard governing fire safety during construction and demolition across BC
- City of Richmond Fire Protection and Life Safety Bylaw No. 8306 — Richmond’s municipal bylaw, which makes compliance with the CFSP requirement a local legal obligation
Failure to obtain an approved and registered Construction Fire Safety Plan is a violation of both the BC Fire Code and Bylaw No. 8306. Richmond Fire-Rescue can apply cost recovery fees for emergency services to non-compliant construction sites where a fire or incident occurs — adding significant financial risk on top of the regulatory penalties.
When Is It Required?
Richmond Fire-Rescue requires a Construction Fire Safety Plan for all buildings or portions of buildings under construction or alteration — as defined by the BC Building Code and BC Fire Code Regulations. The requirement applies broadly:
- New construction of any building type or size
- Major alterations and renovations
- Demolition of existing structures
- Site preparation and excavation phases where fire risk is present
The key trigger is the building permit. Richmond Fire-Rescue requires the CFSP to be submitted, reviewed, and accepted before the building permit is issued. This means your fire safety plan is part of the pre-construction approval process, not an afterthought.
What Must Your Plan Include?
Richmond Fire-Rescue has detailed content requirements for Construction Fire Safety Plans. Your plan must address:
Written Procedures and Personnel
- Designation of site personnel responsible for fire safety duties, with names, phone numbers, and 24/7 emergency contacts
- Emergency procedures covering alarm system activation, fire department notification, and instruction of all site personnel
- Training records for supervisory staff on their specific fire safety duties
Site Access and Visibility
- Visible site address numbers readable from the street — critical for emergency response
- City roads and fire department access routes clearly identified and kept unobstructed at all times
- All barriers, gates, or temporary closures that could affect access must be addressed in the plan
Fire Hazard Controls
Richmond specifically requires written procedures for controlling the following hazards:
- Cutting, welding, grinding, and brazing — hot work permit system required
- Smoking — restriction areas and site policies
- Combustible refuse — storage areas and removal schedule
- Flammable liquids — storage, handling, and spill response
- Propane systems — pressure testing, storage distance, shutoff locations
Fire Protection Equipment
- Installation, inspection, testing, and maintenance schedules for all fire protection equipment
- Documentation retained on-site at all times
- Exit facility maintenance to ensure rapid egress for all site personnel
- Standpipe system progressive installation and removal schedule, where required
Site and Floor Plans
Your CFSP must include proportional site plans and floor plans drawn to an indicated scale, showing:
- Emergency access points and fire department vehicle routes
- Locations of fire hydrants and fire department connections
- Main building entry points and alarm panel locations
- Hazardous material storage areas
- Tower crane height and swing radius (if applicable)
- General building layout including stairs, elevators, shafts, and roof access points
How to Submit Your Plan
Richmond Fire-Rescue requires that CFSPs be submitted electronically by the owner, registered co-ordinating professional, or their designated representative.
Submission methods:
- 📧 Email (preferred): firesafetyplan@richmond.ca
- 💾 USB drive or CD: delivered or mailed to the Fire Prevention Office
Format: WORD or PDF
Mailing address:
Richmond Fire-Rescue Department
Fire Prevention Office
6960 Gilbert Road, Richmond BC V7C 3V4
📞 Phone: 604-278-5131
📧 General email: fire@richmond.ca
Richmond Fire-Rescue recommends that plans be “designed, developed and submitted by a qualified and experienced fire safety planning contractor” — a reflection of the technical detail required for approval.
Richmond’s Fee Schedule
Richmond uses a fee schedule based on building footprint area, scaling appropriately by project size:
| Project Type | Fee (+ GST) |
|---|---|
| Buildings under 600 m² | $135.00 |
| Buildings over 600 m² | $197.00 |
| High-rise or institutional buildings | $261.00 |
| Plan revisions (per occurrence) | $65.25 |
Fees based on 2023 rates from Richmond Fire-Rescue guidelines. Contact the department to confirm current rates.
After Approval: On-Site Requirements
Once Richmond Fire-Rescue reviews and approves your Construction Fire Safety Plan:
- One hardcopy must be posted at the construction site office for the duration of construction
- The plan must remain accessible to fire department personnel at any time
- As construction progresses, the plan must be updated to reflect changes in site conditions, personnel, and fire protection systems
Richmond Fire-Rescue may conduct site inspections to verify compliance with the approved plan. If conditions change significantly — new personnel, different access routes, phase transitions — your plan should be updated and re-submitted for approval.
Hot Work Permits
Any hot work on your Richmond construction site requires a hot work permit before work begins. Hot work includes welding and cutting, grinding and abrasive operations that produce sparks, open flame operations, and brazing and soldering.
Your CFSP must outline the hot work permit system, and the site supervisor must ensure permits are issued and kept on file, and that fire watch procedures are followed. A fire watch should be maintained during hot work and for a minimum period after completion.
Who Should Prepare Your Richmond CFSP?
Richmond’s content requirements are thorough, and the plan review process is conducted by experienced fire prevention officers. Incomplete plans — those missing required personnel contacts, lacking proper site plans, or using generic template language — are returned for revision, which adds time and can delay your building permit.
Given that the plan must be submitted and accepted before the building permit is issued, there is no buffer for multiple revision cycles on a time-sensitive project. A professionally prepared plan — genuinely specific to your Richmond site — moves through the review process efficiently.
Get a Richmond Construction Fire Safety Plan
Get Fire Plan prepares Construction Fire Safety Plans for construction projects throughout Richmond and the Lower Mainland. Our plans meet Richmond Fire-Rescue’s specific submission requirements and content standards.
- Electronic submission to Richmond Fire-Rescue — handled by us
- Site-specific CAD drawings and written procedures
- Upfront pricing based on your project before you commit
- Guaranteed acceptance — revisions at no additional charge
👉 View our Richmond construction fire safety plan services →
📞 778-574-2895 | contactus@getfireplan.com
Need a construction fire safety plan in Richmond?
Firm quote within one business day, drafts in 5–7 business days, no site visit required, approval guaranteed — anywhere in BC.
Guides: BC Fire Code requirements · What a CFSP costs · How long it takes · What a plan must include