Six-storey wood frame multi-family residential is one of the most common building types going up across the Lower Mainland right now. It’s also one of the higher-risk construction types — combustible framing, torch-on roofing, propane and diesel on site — which is exactly why BC Fire Code Section 5.6 requires a construction fire safety plan before the permit gets pulled.
This plan was prepared for a new build on 156th Street in Surrey (Building Permit BP25-136139). Six storeys above grade, two below-grade parkade levels, wood truss roof with SBS membrane. Construction beginning in 2026, completion scheduled for November 2027.
The Project at a Glance
| Street | 156th Street, Surrey BC |
| Building type | Wood frame multi-family residential |
| Major occupancy | Group C (residential) |
| Storeys | 6 above grade + 2 underground parkade |
| Construction | Wood frame with brick, Hardi siding and panels |
| Roof | Wood truss with SBS membrane |
| Completion | November 2027 |
| Permit | BP25-136139 |
What BC Fire Code Section 5.6 Requires — and Why Wood Frame Raises the Bar
BC Fire Code Section 5.6 applies to all construction and demolition sites above a certain size. But combustible construction — wood frame — gets specific attention because the framing itself is fuel. A concrete highrise under construction has a very different risk profile than a wood frame building mid-frame with no weather protection, open to the elements.
1. Hot Works Permits for Torch-On Roofing
The SBS membrane roof means torch-on application — open flame on a wood frame building. Every torch-on operation requires a signed hot works permit before work begins. The protocol: 15-metre clear zone from all combustibles, certified operators only, continuous fire watch during the operation and 60 minutes after completion, a final inspection at the 4-hour mark.
The CFSP includes a permit template and fire watch log that gets completed for every operation. These stay on file.
2. Air Horn Until the Fire Alarm Panel Is Live
The fire alarm panel won’t be installed on day one. BC Fire Code requires an alternative until it’s operational. On this site: an air horn, documented in the CFSP and communicated to all trades at site orientation. When the panel goes live, the air horn protocol is retired.
3. Standpipe Staged Floor by Floor
A standpipe connection goes into the stairwell as each floor is erected. The fire department connection is on the building exterior off 156th Street. If the standpipe isn’t charged at any stage, signage gets posted and fire watch begins immediately.
4. Combustible Material Housekeeping
On a wood frame site, sawdust, off-cuts, temporary protection sheeting, and packaging material accumulate fast — and it’s all fuel. The CFSP’s weekly checklist includes a housekeeping check: combustible materials stored away from the building at a pre-determined location shown on the site plan.
5. Propane and Diesel Storage
The site stores 2–3 propane tanks plus small amounts of diesel for power tools. Storage rules are documented: tanks outdoors in a ventilated area, valves off before any storage, no tanks inside the building or in general containers, pre-determined locations on the site plan.
What the Construction Fire Safety Plan Covers
- Construction Fire Safety Director and Deputy FSD — appointments, duties, and 24-hour coverage
- Daily and weekly inspection checklists
- Hot works permit system and fire watch logs — for torch-on roofing operations
- Air horn protocol — fire alarm alternative until the panel is installed and operational
- Phase-by-phase standpipe staging — connection per floor, fire department connection documented
- Combustible material storage and weekly housekeeping checks
- Propane and diesel hazardous materials protocols
- Incident and activity report forms
- Site plan drawings — access routes, hydrant locations, extinguisher placement, muster points
- Spatial separation report
- BC Fire Code Sections 5.2 and 5.6, BCBC 8.1, CSA Propane Storage & Handling Code
Surrey Fire Department approved the plan in March 2026.
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GetFirePlan.com prepares construction fire safety plans for wood frame residential builds, concrete highrises, and renovation projects across Surrey and BC. We write the plan, submit it, and keep working until the fire department approves it.
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See more construction fire safety plan projects: Construction Fire Safety Plan BC | Construction FSP — Harvie Road, Surrey | Fire Safety Plan Surrey