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British Columbia Fire Watch Course 2026

This course is for security guards in British Columbia who are posted on a fire watch while a fire alarm or sprinkler system is out of service, or during hot work. It covers the BC Fire Code and Fire Safety Act, local rules from Vancouver and Chilliwack, the fire watch log, and hot work.

  • Course
  • British Columbia
  • 25 questions
  • Checked October 12, 2026

Quick answer

This free course has about 20 minutes of lessons and a 25-question test. Score 80% or more to download a certificate of completion (private, not accredited). Checked against official sources on October 12, 2026.

Start with the lessonsBritish Columbia Fire Watch Course: Lessons: about 20 minutes of reading. Every test question is covered in the lessons.

What you will learn

  • Name the BC fire laws and who enforces them
  • Explain when the Fire Code calls for alternative measures such as a fire watch
  • Apply local fire watch rules from BC fire departments
  • Keep a fire watch log that meets a BC fire department's order
  • Follow the minimum hot work fire watch rules in the BC Fire Code text

Score 80% or more to download your certificate.

  1. Question 1 of 25

    Which fire code applies to most buildings in British Columbia today?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. The BC Fire Code 2024

    The BC Fire Code 2024 is the current edition, administered and enforced by the Office of the Fire Commissioner.

  2. Question 2 of 25

    On what date did the BC Fire Code 2024 take effect?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. March 8, 2024

    The Ministerial Order adopting the BC Fire Code 2024 took effect on March 8, 2024.

  3. Question 3 of 25

    Which national code is the BC Fire Code 2024 based on, with BC changes?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. The National Fire Code 2020

    The order adopts Divisions A to C of the National Fire Code of Canada 2020 as the BC Fire Code, with BC amendments.

  4. Question 4 of 25

    Which office administers and enforces the BC Fire Code?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. The Office of the Fire Commissioner

    The province says the Office of the Fire Commissioner is responsible for administering and enforcing the BC Fire Code.

  5. Question 5 of 25

    Which BC law replaced the Fire Services Act on August 1, 2024?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. The Fire Safety Act

    The province says the Fire Safety Act replaced the Fire Services Act as of August 1, 2024.

  6. Question 6 of 25

    Under BC's Fire Safety Act, who designates fire inspectors?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. The local authority, like a council

    The Act defines a fire inspector as an individual designated by a local authority under section 8.

  7. Question 7 of 25

    Under section 7 of BC's Fire Safety Act, what must an owner of premises ensure?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. That no fire hazard exists there

    Section 7 says an owner must ensure that no fire hazard exists on or in the owner's premises.

  8. Question 8 of 25

    A small fire damages property and goes out before any fire department comes. What does section 22 of the Fire Safety Act require the occupier (or owner) to do?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Report it at once to the fire department

    Section 22 says the occupier, or the owner if there is none, must immediately report the fire to a fire department or the fire commissioner when no fire department attended.

  9. Question 9 of 25

    Under the 2018 BC Fire Code text, what must happen when any part of a fire protection system is temporarily shut down?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Alternative measures must be taken

    Article 6.1.1.4 of the 2018 BC Fire Code text says alternative measures shall be taken during a shutdown to maintain protection.

  10. Question 10 of 25

    The notes to the 2018 BC Fire Code text list measures for when sprinklers are shut down. Which one is on the list?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Extra fire watch service

    The note for sprinkler shutdowns lists emergency hose lines, portable extinguishers, extra fire watch service and temporary water connections.

  11. Question 11 of 25

    According to the notes to the 2018 BC Fire Code text, how should alternative measures for a fire alarm shutdown be worked out?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. With the fire department

    The note says alternative measures for a fire alarm shutdown should be worked out in cooperation with the fire department.

  12. Question 12 of 25

    How does the City of Vancouver apply the BC Fire Code?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Through its own Fire By-law

    Vancouver's Fire By-law No. 14419 adopts the BC Fire Code with the city's own changes.

  13. Question 13 of 25

    Under Vancouver's fire watch order, when must the fire department be called about a system that is out of service?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. If out over 4 hours in a row in 24 hours

    Vancouver asks owners to call 3-1-1 (in business hours) when a system is out more than 4 continuous hours in a 24-hour period, and again when it is back.

  14. Question 14 of 25

    Under Vancouver's fire watch order, how often must a non-residential building be patrolled outside business hours?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Every 60 minutes

    The order sets a minimum of every 30 minutes in business hours and every 60 minutes at other times for non-residential buildings.

  15. Question 15 of 25

    Vancouver's fire watch order says the central station monitoring company must be told about a shutdown when?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. When it goes out and when it returns

    The order requires notice to the central station when the system goes out and when it is back in service.

  16. Question 16 of 25

    Where must the Vancouver fire watch order be posted?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. At the main entrance and other key points

    The order must be posted at the main entrance, with copies at other main access points, inside elevators and stairs, and at every tenancy.

  17. Question 17 of 25

    What does Vancouver's order ask you to record about people with disabilities?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Names and locations of those needing help

    The order asks whether anyone with a disability needs help and says to record their names and locations in the log.

  18. Question 18 of 25

    Chilliwack Fire Department sets a patrol frequency for buildings with sleeping accommodations between 9 pm and 8 am. What is it?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. At least every 15 minutes

    Chilliwack requires patrols at least every 15 minutes during sleeping hours, 9 pm to 8 am.

  19. Question 19 of 25

    How does Chilliwack describe the person on a fire watch?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. A dedicated person who only looks for fires

    Chilliwack says a fire watch is a dedicated person on site whose sole duty is to actively look for fires.

  20. Question 20 of 25

    Under Chilliwack's fire watch rules, where must fire watch signs be posted?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. At entrances, exits and elevators

    Chilliwack asks for signs at all entrances, exits and elevators on each floor stating that a fire watch is in effect and its expected duration.

  21. Question 21 of 25

    In Chilliwack, when fire protection equipment goes out of service, who should notify the fire department for the owner?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. An ASTTBC fire protection technician

    Chilliwack says the owner should contact a qualified ASTTBC fire protection technician, who should notify the fire department.

  22. Question 22 of 25

    Chilliwack's guidance on impaired fire systems says a fire watch is...
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Not a substitute for repairing it

    Chilliwack states that temporary measures such as a fire watch are not a substitute for repairing the system.

  23. Question 23 of 25

    Under the hot work rules in the 2018 BC Fire Code text, how long must a continuous fire watch go on after hot work is finished?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. At least 60 minutes

    Article 5.2.3.1 of the 2018 BC Fire Code text requires a continuous fire watch for not less than 60 minutes after hot work is completed.

  24. Question 24 of 25

    Under the hot work rules in the 2018 BC Fire Code text, when is the work area inspected after the hot work is done?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 4 hours after the work

    Article 5.2.3.1 of the 2018 BC Fire Code text requires an inspection 4 hours after completion, or a more thorough one when the fire watch ends.

  25. Question 25 of 25

    Under Section 2.8 of the 2018 BC Fire Code text, where must a building's fire safety plan be kept?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. In the building

    Article 2.8.2.5 of the 2018 BC Fire Code text says the fire safety plan must be kept in the building for reference by the fire department.

What to know before the test

  • The BC Fire Code 2024 adopts the National Fire Code of Canada 2020 with BC changes and took effect on March 8, 2024.
  • The Office of the Fire Commissioner administers and enforces the BC Fire Code.
  • BC's Fire Safety Act replaced the Fire Services Act on August 1, 2024.
  • Vancouver asks owners to call 3-1-1 if a fire protection system is out for more than 4 continuous hours in 24 hours.
  • Chilliwack requires fire watch patrols at least every 15 minutes from 9 pm to 8 am in buildings where people sleep.

Frequently asked questions

Who enforces fire rules in British Columbia?

The Office of the Fire Commissioner administers and enforces the BC Fire Code. Local governments designate fire inspectors under the Fire Safety Act, and Vancouver uses its own Fire By-law.

How often do I patrol on a fire watch in BC?

It depends on the local fire department. Vancouver and Chilliwack both ask for rounds every 15 minutes overnight in buildings where people sleep, and every 30 to 60 minutes in other cases.

Do I need to call the fire department when an alarm goes out?

Follow your local rules. In Vancouver, owners call 3-1-1 if a system is out more than 4 continuous hours in 24 hours. In Chilliwack, the fire protection technician notifies the fire department.

How long does a hot work fire watch last in BC?

The hot work section of the 2018 BC Fire Code text requires a continuous fire watch for at least 60 minutes after the work ends, and an inspection 4 hours after. Check the current code and your hot work permit.

Is the certificate accredited or officially recognised?

No. It is a private certificate of completion for knowledge only. It is not recognised, accredited or approved by any government, licensing body, regulator or educational institution, and it does not replace any licence, certification or training required by law.

Sources

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