Fire inspections
All businesses and building owners are responsible to comply with the National Fire Code (NFC).
Cochrane’s Quality Management Plan (QMP) dictates how often fire inspections are required for existing businesses. New businesses must contact the fire services office for an initial fire inspection prior to opening. The Fire Department reserves the right to inspect your business at any reasonable hour throughout the work day.
Private residences may be inspected by request, or if a fire hazard has been reported.
Inspection fee: $50 + GST
Short term rental inspections
All short-term rentals require a business license and therefore require a fire inspection in compliance with the National Fire Code (Alberta Edition). Before you decide to book the inspection, please review this short-term rental guide and ensure you're prepared for the inspector once they arrive. No fee will be charge for short term rental inspections.
Inspection fee: No charge
Submit a fire inspection request
Occupancy load certificates
Occupancy load certificates are required for businesses or buildings with a load capacity of more than 60 people, such as restaurants, community halls, schools, or churches. However, as of 2023, the Fire Department is no longer calculating occupancy loads for businesses. If you require an occupancy load certificate, contact the Fire Prevention Branch at fire.prevention@cochrane.ca for more information.
Occupancy Load Certificate fee: No charge
Fire code
All businesses and building owners are responsible to follow the National Fire Code (Alberta Edition). Fire Prevention Branch helps ensure businesses meet these requirements by conducting regular fire inspections. Cochranes unified Quality Management Plan (QMP) dictates how often fire inspections are required for each type of business. New businesses must contact Fire Services for an initial fire inspection before opening for business. Private residences and secondary suites may be inspected by request, or if a fire hazard has been reported.
Construction Site Safety Inspections
In addition to fire inspections for businesses, Cochrane Fire also conducts construction site safety inspections for all ongoing construction sites, regardless of size and complexity. Once your permit has been issued by the Building Authority, a Fire Official may contact you to set up an inspection schedule based on the size and duration of your construction site. However, the Fire Department reserves the right to inspect your site at any reasonable hour throughout the work day.
Construction Site Safety requirements to be prepared for:
Fire safety plan guide Temporary heat guide
Temporary heat guide - plumbing & gas
Fire investigation
Report any fires resulting in dollar loss, injury or fatalities. All fires resulting in the aforementioned criteria must be reported and investigated for cause, origin, and circumstances. The fire commissioner’s office uses this information to identify potential hazardous products or make recommendations to the National Building and Fire Codes.