Building Plans Review Requirement

Prior to the start of construction, an owner of a building or facility containing one of the following classes of occupancies must provide building plans for the construction or alteration of the building or facility to the Fire Marshal:

(a) an assembly occupancy (Group A) that

(i) is more than 3 stories high including the stories below grade, or
(ii) has an area greater than 600 m², or
(iii) is in a non-residential building that is used for a school, college or university and that has an occupant load of more than 40 persons;

(b) a care or detention occupancy (Group B);

(c) a residential occupancy (Group C) that is licensed or regulated under the Homes for Special Care Act; and

(e) a high hazard industrial occupancy (Group F, Division 1) that is more than 2 stories high or has an area greater than 600 m².
[Part 2 - General Fire Safety Provisions, Fire Safety Regulations, made under Section 51 of the Fire Safety Act]

Note:  This approval is to ensure compliance with the fire safety requirements of the Nova Scotia Building Code, Fire Code and Fire Safety Regulations.

It is the responsibility of the owner, not the local Building Officials (Inspectors), to determine whether or not this Approval is needed.

Municipal Affairs

Building - Fire Safety
Office of the Fire Marshal
Municipal Affairs

Tel: 902-424-5721
Fax: 902-424-3239
Toll free: 1-800-559-3473

Before the start of construction, the applicant must submit to Municipal Affairs:
1. a copy of all plans, drawn to scale;
2. any related documents; and
3. a covering letter explaining the proposed project.

This is required for new buildings and for renovations to existing buildings.

Once all the required documents have been submitted, and the plans have been reviewed, by the Fire Marshal, a letter will be mailed to the applicant.

45 business days
Provided that all the items that must accompany the application have been received

This does not expire.

Free (for the occupancies listed above)

Municipalities require a building permit before constructing or renovating buildings. For more information, contact one of the building inspectors in your local municipality.  For a list of Municipal Building Inspectors, Click here.

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Fire Safety Act, Revised Statutes of Nova Scotia, 2002, Chapter 6, and Fire Safety Regulations, (Part 2, General Fire Safety Provinsions) and Fire Safety Provisions.