The Local Assistant to the Fire Commissioner (LAFC) can require upgrades to existing buildings through existing fire legislation. Recognizing each building has its own set of site specific challenges, existing legislation is used in the decision making process to determine the most appropriate upgrade and to gain compliance.

The applicable fire legislation is the Fire Services Act (FSA). The BC Fire Code is adopted as a regulation under this Act.

• Fire Services Act Sections 22, 30 (4) and 33: The FSA enables the LAFC to issue an order, on a case-by-case basis, to provide, maintain, alter or improve fire safety items in existing buildings. The order cannot exceed the requirements of the BC Building Code. Depending on the situation, the LAFC can look to FSA Section 22, FSA Section 30 (4) or FSA Section 33 for the enabling power to issue the fire orders. For upgrades, Section 33 orders are generally the most appropriate.

• BC Fire Code 2006: Division C Section 2.2. of the BC Fire Code 2006 outlines the power of an LAFC to issue an order for compliance with the regulation. The Fire Code provides an avenue for the LAFC to accept alternatives to the prescriptive requirements by using "Alternative Solutions” under Division C Section 2.3.
  
  
  • Selecting the Appropriate Reference for Upgrade Orders

Upgrading to a building may happen as part of a building permit process or as a remedy to a provincial fire order. The content on this webpage applies mainly to upgrading under a provincial fire order issued by the LAFC. The methodology can be used when the Local Assistant is involved as part of a building permit process, however, the Local Assistant needs to be clear the fire legislation only covers work under a provincial fire order for upgrades.

Return to What is Upgrading?
Return to Upgrading of Existing Buildings - Introduction
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For general information visit the OFC Website