If you’re breaking ground on a construction project in Surrey, BC, you need a Construction Fire Safety Plan (CFSP) before work begins — no exceptions. Surrey is one of the fastest-growing cities in Canada, with nearly 6,300 new homes permitted and over $2.8 billion in construction activity in 2024 alone. The Surrey Fire Service reviewed 164 Construction Fire Safety Plans in 2024, and enforcement is active.
This guide covers exactly what the City of Surrey requires, what your CFSP must include, how to submit it, and what it costs.
What Governs Construction Fire Safety Plans in Surrey?
Surrey does not have a standalone CFSP bylaw. Requirements come from a layered framework:
- BC Fire Code 2024 (BCFC 2024) — Effective March 8, 2024, this is the primary provincial authority. Division B, Section 5.6.1.3(1) states: “Prior to the commencement of construction, alteration or demolition operations, a fire safety plan shall be prepared for the site.”
- Surrey Fire Prevention Bylaw No. 10771 — Designates Surrey Fire Service as the local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). Surrey Fire Service enforces the BC Fire Code and has authority to require CFSPs on any site.
- Surrey Building By-law No. 9011 — Adopts the BC Building Code and BC Fire Code by reference, tying CFSP requirements directly into the building permit process.
Surrey enforces the BC Fire Code as written, with its own supplementary forms and submission process layered on top.
Note: Projects that received building permits before March 8, 2024 are governed by the 2018 BC Fire Code. Contact Surrey Fire Service if you’re unsure which version applies to your project.
When Is a CFSP Required in Surrey?
Every construction, alteration, or demolition project that requires a building permit needs a CFSP. The BC Fire Code does not set a minimum building size or project value — the requirement applies broadly. Surrey enforces this for all permitted projects.
The CFSP must be approved before construction begins. It is not something you prepare partway through the project. Surrey’s Fire Prevention Division must review it, and the review fee must be paid before the review even commences.
Projects With Enhanced Requirements
Certain project types trigger additional obligations on top of the standard CFSP:
| Project Type | Additional Requirement |
|---|---|
| Buildings over 3 storeys | Charged standpipe extension required, extended progressively with construction |
| Buildings over 6 storeys (high-rise) | Additional evacuation/notification requirements; contact highrise@surrey.ca directly |
| Wood frame / combustible construction | 24/7 continuous fire watch required from the time combustible framing commences |
| Occupied portions adjacent to construction | Fire watch with tours at maximum 1-hour intervals unless a fire alarm system is in place |
| Large wood-frame projects (adjacent properties at risk) | A Protection of Adjacent Properties Report stamped by a Fire Protection Engineer may be required |
What Must Be in a Surrey Construction Fire Safety Plan?
Surrey has its own required forms and content standards. A generic CFSP template will not pass Surrey Fire Service review. Here is what must be included:
1. Site Information and Contacts
- Full site address and legal description
- Owner and contractor/supervisor names with 24/7 emergency contact numbers
- Designated Fire Safety Coordinator (the on-site responsible person) and a named deputy
- Current construction phase and projected completion date
- List of active sub-trades on site
2. Site Plan — Surrey-Specific Symbol Requirements
Surrey requires that your site plan use Surrey Fire Service’s standardized Site Plan Symbols. Your drawing must show:
- All site access gates and fire department entry points
- Fire hazard locations
- Electrical and water shut-off locations
- Crane positions
- Fire extinguisher locations
- Air horn positions (for site-wide emergency alerts)
- Designated assembly area
- All fire hydrants within 90 metres
- Fire department connection (FDC) locations
Using non-standard symbols or a generic drawing is a common reason for plan rejection.
3. Fire Protection Equipment Plan
- Portable fire extinguishers at each stairwell, hoist, and active work area
- Standpipe extension schedule for buildings over 3 storeys (must be charged as construction rises)
- Temporary fire alarm or notification system
- Emergency lighting in all egress routes
- Fire watch schedule for any periods when permanent protection systems are offline
- Monthly equipment inspection logs, kept on site
4. Emergency Procedures
Written emergency procedures must address:
- What to do when an alarm sounds
- How and when to call 9-1-1
- Worker instructions during an emergency
- Initial fire suppression procedures (where safe)
- Evacuation routes for each construction phase
- Assembly point location
All workers must be orientated to the site plan before starting work, and regular fire safety toolbox talks are required throughout the project.
5. Hot Work Permit System
Hot work (welding, grinding, cutting, torch work) is one of the leading causes of construction site fires. Surrey requires a written hot work permit for every hot work operation, covering:
- Combustibles cleared or protected within 11 metres of the hot work area
- A dedicated fire extinguisher at each hot work location
- A fire watch during work and for 60 minutes after completion
- Weekly audits by the Fire Safety Coordinator
- All permits retained on site for the full project duration
6. Combustibles and Housekeeping
- Maximum one day’s supply of combustible materials on any active floor
- Daily waste removal from building interiors
- Waste bins positioned minimum 6 metres from the structure
- Flammable liquids stored in approved cabinets or external enclosures
- Propane cylinders stored outside, secured upright
- Designated smoking areas only — no smoking in or near the structure
7. Fire Watch Requirements
Fire watch is one of the most misunderstood aspects of Surrey construction fire safety compliance. Here is when it applies:
24/7 continuous fire watch is required once combustible (wood frame) construction begins. This means a qualified, dedicated person — whose only job during their shift is fire watch — must be on site at all times.
This is not optional, and it is not satisfied by a general site supervisor checking in occasionally.
Where an occupied portion of a building is adjacent to construction activity, a fire watch with tours at maximum 1-hour intervals is required unless a permanent fire alarm system covers both areas.
8. Water Supply
An adequate water supply for firefighting must be available as soon as combustible material arrives on site. A temporary supply is acceptable until the permanent hydrant system is installed, but you cannot place combustible materials on site without fire suppression water available.
Surrey-Specific Submission Forms
Every CFSP submitted to Surrey must include:
- Surrey Vital Building Information Sheet — Surrey’s own form capturing key site and building data for responding firefighters
- Surrey Site Plan Symbols — Standardized symbol legend that must be used on your site drawing
- Form 092 — Fire Safety Plan Review (2024 version) — Surrey Fire Service’s official review form
These forms are available through the Surrey Fire Service. Missing any of these will delay your review.
How to Submit a CFSP in Surrey
Surrey runs two submission tracks:
Track 1 — Approved CFSP Companies: Companies on Surrey’s approved list submit directly through the Surrey Fire Service online portal. This is the fastest route.
Track 2 — All Others: Email fsp@surrey.ca to initiate the process. A Fire Prevention Officer will contact you to arrange submission. Do not submit your plan documents without first making contact.
For high-rise projects (6+ storeys), use the dedicated email: highrise@surrey.ca
Surrey Fire Service — Fire Prevention Division
Address: 8767 132 Street, Surrey, BC, V3W 4P1
Phone: 604-543-6780
Email: fsp@surrey.ca
Surrey CFSP Review Fees
Review fees must be paid before the review begins — Surrey Fire Service will not start reviewing your plan until payment is received. Effective May 7, 2024:
| Project Type | Fee (+ GST) |
|---|---|
| Non-high-rise — first 2 hours (minimum charge) | $232 + GST |
| Non-high-rise — over 2 hours | $116/hour + GST |
| High-rise / care facility / detention — first 3 hours (minimum) | $347 + GST |
Complex plans with multiple phases or large sites often exceed the minimum review time.
How Long Does CFSP Approval Take in Surrey?
Surrey Fire Service does not publish a guaranteed turnaround time. Given that the division reviewed 164 CFSPs in 2024 alongside 282 building permit reviews and over 8,000 property inspections, review queues can be significant during peak construction season.
Practical advice: Submit your CFSP early — ideally 2 to 4 weeks before your intended construction start date. Incomplete submissions (missing the Vital Building Information Sheet, incorrect site plan symbols, missing Form 092) restart the clock.
Common Reasons Surrey Rejects or Delays CFSP Submissions
- Generic or out-of-date template — Surrey requires its own specific forms, not a generic provincial CFSP
- Incorrect site plan symbols — Must match Surrey’s standardized symbol set exactly
- Missing Form 092 or Vital Building Information Sheet — Both are mandatory
- No fire watch schedule — For combustible construction, the plan must specify the 24/7 fire watch arrangement in detail
- No hot work permit system described — Must be a written, defined system, not a verbal policy
- Missing sub-trade contacts — All active sub-trades must be listed with 24/7 emergency contacts
- Fire extinguisher locations not shown — Must be on the site plan, not just mentioned in the narrative
- Water supply gap — Plan must confirm water is available before combustible materials arrive
What Happens If You Don’t Have a CFSP in Surrey?
Surrey Fire Service has authority under the BC Fire Code and Surrey’s own bylaws to issue a stop-work order if a required CFSP is not in place. Penalties for BC Fire Code violations can include fines. More practically, operating without a CFSP puts your workers, neighbouring properties, and your project financing at risk — most construction lenders and insurers require a valid CFSP.
Need a Construction Fire Safety Plan for a Surrey Project?
Our team prepares Construction Fire Safety Plans for projects across Surrey and the Lower Mainland. We know Surrey Fire Service’s requirements — including the Vital Building Information Sheet, Form 092, and standardized site plan symbols — and we prepare plans that pass review.
We handle the full process: site assessment, CAD site plan, Surrey-specific forms, submission coordination, and updates through each construction phase.
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We work with general contractors, developers, owner-builders, and project managers. Most plans are completed within 5 to 7 business days.
This article was prepared based on the BC Fire Code 2024, Surrey Fire Prevention Bylaw No. 10771, Surrey Fire Service guidance documents, and Surrey’s 2024 Annual Report. Requirements may change — confirm current requirements directly with Surrey Fire Service at 604-543-6780 before relying solely on this article.
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Guides: BC Fire Code requirements · What a CFSP costs · How long it takes · What a plan must include