Annual fire protection testing for North Vancouver stratas
North Vancouver is two municipalities, the City and the District, each with its own fire bylaw. Both require annual testing by a Certified Fire Protection Technician. Both are members of Metro Vancouver. Sources: Metro Vancouver member jurisdictions, the City of North Vancouver Fire Bylaw, 2021, No. 8852, and the District of North Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services Bylaw 8762, 2025 (the file name says 8672; the bylaw inside is cited as 8762).
What has to be tested every year
Each item is tested and tagged annually by a Certified Fire Protection Technician:
- Fire alarm systems, to CAN/ULC-S536
- Automatic sprinkler systems, to NFPA 25
- Portable fire extinguishers, selected and installed to NFPA 10
- Emergency power for exit signs
- Smoke control systems and fire dampers
Records of monthly fire alarm inspections and the last two test reports must be kept on site. Fire protection systems are also a required item in a depreciation report. Source: City bylaw ss. 6.9, 6.12, 6.20, 6.23, 6.24 and 6.34, District bylaw ss. 6.24 and 6.35, and Strata Property Regulation s. 6.2(2)(b)(iii).
Who can do the testing
In both bylaws a Certified Fire Protection Technician means a person certified by ASTTBC (or an equivalent the Fire Chief accepts). ASTTBC registers Registered Fire Protection Technicians (RFPTs) by endorsement, such as fire alarms, sprinklers, extinguishers, emergency lighting, smoke control and generators. 24 BC jurisdictions have bylaws requiring RFPT registration for this work. Both the City and the District are on ASTTBC's March 2024 list. Sources: City bylaw Appendix A, ASTTBC RFPTs, and the ASTTBC bylaw municipalities list.
Buildings with more than one strata corporation
In both the City and the District, fire protection equipment in a building with two or more strata corporations must be serviced by one common Certified Fire Protection Technician. Sources: City bylaw s. 4.7 and District bylaw s. 4.8.
Fire safety plans in the City of North Vancouver
Buildings required to have a fire alarm system need fire emergency planning under section 2.8 of the Fire Code. The plan goes to the Fire Department for review and acceptance, must be reviewed at least every 12 months to keep emergency contacts current, and is kept in a locked cabinet at the Fire Department response point. Buildings with a fire alarm or sprinkler system must give the Fire Department a 24 hour emergency contact. Source: City bylaw ss. 4.20, 4.21 and 4.23.
Fire department inspections and deficiencies
BC's Fire Safety Act came into force August 1, 2024, except s. 56(b), replacing the Fire Services Act. Source: Courthouse Libraries BC: Fire Safety Act. The City's bylaw sets up risk-based fire safety inspections of public buildings under that Act. The City notes most multi-family buildings with more than 4 units are subject to Fire Department inspections. Source: the Property and Fire Compliance Request form. Owners must fix violations within the time in a report, notice or order. If they do not, the Fire Chief can hire a fire protection company and bill the owner. Source: City bylaw ss. 4.1, 4.4 and 4.5.
How a free intro works
- You name the building, the inspection or repair and the timing.
- We match you with a vetted fire protection company with ASTTBC-registered technicians.
- We set up the intro.
The first intro is free. No commission.
Free quotes in exchange for a review
We line up 2 or 3 vetted fire protection companies to quote your annual inspection or deficiency repairs at no cost to you or the strata. If it saves you time, all we ask is a short review.
North Vancouver strata fire inspection questions
How often does a North Vancouver strata need its fire alarm tested?
Every year. Both the City and the District of North Vancouver require fire alarm systems to be inspected and tested to CAN/ULC-S536 and tagged annually by a Certified Fire Protection Technician. Sprinklers and extinguishers also need annual testing.
Who is allowed to do the annual fire inspection?
A Certified Fire Protection Technician, which the bylaws define as a person certified by ASTTBC, or an equivalent the Fire Chief accepts. ASTTBC registers these technicians by endorsement, such as fire alarms, sprinklers or extinguishers.
Our building has two strata corporations. Can each hire its own company?
No. In both the City and the District, fire protection equipment in a building with two or more strata corporations must be serviced by one common Certified Fire Protection Technician.
Does our strata need a fire safety plan?
In the City of North Vancouver, buildings required to have a fire alarm system need a Fire Safety Plan. It is submitted to the Fire Department for review, reviewed at least every 12 months, and kept in a locked cabinet at the Fire Department response point.
What records do we need to keep on site?
Records of monthly fire alarm inspections and the last two test and service reports. They must be available to the Fire Chief on request.
What happens if deficiencies are not fixed?
Owners must fix violations within the time given in the report, notice or order. If they do not, the City's Fire Chief can hire a fire protection company to do the work and bill the owner.
How does the free intro work?
Tell us the building, the inspection or repair you need, and your timing. We connect you with a vetted fire protection company. The first intro is free.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Last reviewed September 2026.
Other strata services we set up intros for
- Vancouver strata Electrical Planning Reports
- Vancouver strata roofing contractors
- Burnaby strata plumbing
- Surrey strata depreciation reports
- Book a free intro
- Booked Intros home
North Vancouver electrical is the contractor intro page for electrical work.
Annual fire inspection due at a North Vancouver building?
Tell us the building, the work and the timing. We set up a free first intro with a vetted fire protection company. Want to compare? We will line up 2 or 3 vetted companies to quote the job at no cost to you or the strata. All we ask in return is a short review.
Sources
- City of North Vancouver Fire Bylaw, 2021, No. 8852
- District of North Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services Bylaw 8762, 2025
- City of North Vancouver Property and Fire Compliance Request
- ASTTBC Registered Fire Protection Technicians
- ASTTBC bylaw municipalities list (March 2024)
- Courthouse Libraries BC: Fire Safety Act
- Strata Property Regulation, B.C. Reg. 43/2000
- Metro Vancouver member jurisdictions