How Much Does a Fire Safety Plan Cost in BC?
One of the first questions building owners ask us is simple: ‘How much will this cost?’ Unfortunately, the honest answer is ‘it depends’ — but in this guide we’ll walk through the actual price ranges, the factors that move the needle, and what you should expect to pay for a Fire Safety Plan in British Columbia in 2026.
Typical Fire Safety Plan Pricing in BC (2026)
Across the Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley, and Vancouver Island, professionally prepared Fire Safety Plans generally fall into the following ranges:
- Small commercial / single-tenant buildings (under 5,000 sq ft, 1-2 storeys): $650 – $1,200
- Medium commercial / multi-tenant buildings (5,000 – 25,000 sq ft, 2-4 storeys): $1,200 – $2,500
- Strata residential buildings (3-6 storeys, low-rise): $1,500 – $3,000
- Mid-rise residential (7-12 storeys): $2,500 – $4,500
- Highrise residential or commercial (13+ storeys): $4,000 – $8,000+
- Construction sites (depends on phase and complexity): $800 – $3,500
- Industrial / warehouse / hazardous occupancy: $2,000 – $6,000+
Annual reviews and minor updates of an existing plan typically range from $300 to $800, depending on how much has changed.
What Drives the Cost?
Seven factors account for almost all the price variation in BC:
1. Building Size and Number of Floors
More floors means more drawings, more exits to map, and more time on-site measuring. A 12-storey building isn’t just twice as much work as a 6-storey building — it’s roughly four times the work.
2. Occupancy Type and Mix
Mixed-use buildings (residential over commercial, for example) require separate procedures for each occupancy and tend to cost more. Care facilities, schools, and assembly buildings have additional procedural requirements that add hours.
3. Existing Documentation
If the building has accurate as-built drawings, current sprinkler/alarm shop drawings, and a previous plan we can reference, costs drop significantly. If we have to measure and draw everything from scratch, costs go up.
4. Fire Protection Systems
A building with a complex addressable fire alarm panel, multiple sprinkler zones, standpipes, smoke control systems, generators, and elevator recall takes longer to document than a simple single-zone alarm.
5. Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)
Some BC fire departments are more demanding than others. Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services and Surrey Fire Services typically require more detail and revisions than smaller departments, which can mean more billable hours.
6. Travel and Site Access
Buildings outside the Lower Mainland may include travel charges. Buildings with restricted access (locked mechanical rooms, after-hours-only access) can require multiple site visits.
7. Turnaround Time
Standard turnaround is 2-4 weeks for drafting plus AHJ review time. Rush jobs (needed in under a week) typically carry a 25-50% premium.
Why the Cheapest Quote Is Almost Never the Best
We regularly see building owners come to us after a low-cost provider produced a plan that was rejected by the local fire department — or worse, accepted but riddled with errors that surfaced during an inspection or insurance claim. A few warning signs of an underpriced plan:
- Templates that haven’t been customized to your actual building
- Drawings that aren’t to scale, or are pulled from outdated as-builts
- Missing PRA (persons requiring assistance) procedures
- No follow-up support during the AHJ review process
- No included revisions if the fire department requests changes
What You Should Get for Your Money
A properly priced Fire Safety Plan in BC should always include:
- An on-site walkthrough by a qualified fire safety professional
- Customized written procedures specific to your occupancy and systems
- Accurate, scaled drawings of every floor plus site plan
- Submission to the local fire department on your behalf
- Unlimited revisions until the plan is accepted
- A printed copy for on-site posting and digital copies for staff and management
- Optional: training for supervisory staff and fire drill facilitation
Annual Maintenance Costs to Budget For
Fire safety planning isn’t a one-time expense. Building owners should also budget for:
- Annual plan review and update: $300 – $800
- Annual fire drill facilitation (if outsourced): $200 – $500
- Fire alarm inspection and testing (CAN/ULC-S536): $500 – $3,000+
- Sprinkler inspection (NFPA 25): $300 – $2,000+
- Extinguisher service: $10 – $25 per unit
Get an Honest Quote for Your Building
Every building is different, and the only way to get an accurate price is to share a few details: address, building size, number of floors, occupancy type, and whether you have an existing plan. Get Fire Plan provides free, no-obligation quotes for any building in BC.
Call 778-574-2895 or email contactus@getfireplan.com for a Fire Safety Plan quote tailored to your building.