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Fire Safety Plan Not Updated? Why the Annual Review (Plus Your New Smoke Control Add-On) Matters More Than Ever Not started

Writer: City Sites Property Management
City Sites Property Management
Mar 4
3 min read

A fire safety plan is a key building record that sets out required fire-emergency procedures and responsibilities. The 2026 amendments changed several Fire Code provisions, so boards should confirm that the plan and related building records remain current. The central province-wide requirement is still to review an applicable fire safety plan at least every 12 months and revise it as necessary.


Woman in yellow hard hat and red overalls checks a red fire alarm beside an evacuation plan, holding a clipboard by a wood wall.

In City Site’s podcast “Ontario Fire Code Changes Condo Boards Need To Know in 2026” with Sam Soltani of The Trace Group, we discuss exactly why the annual fire safety plan review and new smoke control add-on deserve board attention, alongside other records, municipal submissions, and ongoing compliance. The episode shows how an annual review can become a meaningful management tool rather than a routine administrative task.


It is particularly relevant to boards trying to keep their fire safety plan, supporting records, and operational procedures aligned. Check out more information about this podcast here: #WeSpeakCondo podcast


What Must Be in the Plan Now

The core obligation is that an applicable fire safety plan must be prepared, approved, implemented, kept at the building, reviewed at least every 12 months, and revised as necessary. The Fire Code does not require every condominium to resubmit or "renew" the plan with the fire department each year. Smoke-control information and related inspection or testing records should be maintained in the form required for the building.


The annual review should be scheduled early enough to identify needed revisions and corrective work. If a new or revised plan requires review or approval by the local fire department, timelines will vary by municipality. 


Digital Records Have Joined the File

Electronic record keeping is now expressly accepted under the Ontario Fire Code where records can readily be made available to the Chief Fire Official on request. A practical filing system can keep the current fire safety plan, required smoke-control procedures, testing records, deficiency records, and relevant correspondence in a location that trained staff can access when needed.


Smoke Control: The New Add-On That Should Not Be Skipped

For buildings with smoke-control systems, the relevant procedure and testing requirements depend on the system design and applicable Fire Code provision. Where original designer procedures are unavailable, an assessment may be required, and written periodic procedures may need to be established and signed and sealed by a Professional Engineer or Architect. Any material changes to the system should be reviewed to confirm that the documentation still reflects the building as it exists.


An annual review is the natural moment to confirm both points. Boards whose procedure has never been revisited should prioritize this cycle.


A Simple SOP Keeps the File Alive

The review works best as a repeatable routine: schedule the annual review, confirm whether the fire safety plan needs revision, collect required testing and corrective-action records, and follow any applicable local process for approval of a new or revised plan. One owner, one date, and one organized record system can make the process easier to manage.


An Annual Habit Beats an Annual Scramble

Red fire alarm sign and emergency pull box mounted on a gray concrete wall, with white icons and no visible people.

The fire safety plan is a key building record of required fire-safety procedures and responsibilities; it should not be described as a general public record. Keeping the plan current and retaining required supporting records helps the corporation demonstrate an organized fire-safety program. For client corporations, City Sites Property Management may assist with administrative tracking and coordination where included in its management mandate; specific fire-safety services should be confirmed in the corporation's agreement or proposal.


For a deeper discussion of why the annual fire safety plan review and new smoke control add-on deserve board attention, listen to the full #WeSpeakCondo episode with Sam Soltani of The Trace Group. The conversation adds useful perspective on records, municipal submissions, and ongoing compliance, and is a helpful companion to this article.



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