Fire Discipline Hub

Welcome to the fire discipline hub. This page is your central resource for certification, training, and updates specific to the discipline. Bookmark this page and check back regularly for updates, important announcements, and new resources.

Certifications

Fire: Group A

Entry Qualifications

One of the following:

  • Grade 12 diploma, or General Educational Development certification.
  • Letter of recommendation from a fire services organization where the applicant has worked or volunteered.

Scope of Practice

  1. Inspect major occupancy buildings identified as small assembly, residential, business and personal services, mercantile, and low-hazard industrial buildings (less than 600 m2). These buildings:
    • may not have fire alarm systems, standpipe systems, sprinkler systems or other automatic fire suppression systems with the exception that they may have a commercial wet chemical kitchen fire suppression system;
    • cannot be an assembly occupancy with an occupant load greater than 150 people;
    • cannot be a group B1, B2, or B3 occupancy (detention, treatment, or care facility), such as a penitentiary, or hospital; and
    • cannot be a group F1 or F2 occupancy (high and medium hazard industrial) such as chemical warehouse or spray-paint operations.
  2. Establish occupant loads for any building identified as the scope of practice of Group A where the occupant load is less than 150 persons.
  3. Conduct investigations where:
    • fire loss is estimated to be less than $1 million;
    • there is no death or injury requiring medical attention;
    • and/or the fire is not suspected to be arson.
  4. If, during the investigation, arson becomes a reasonable suspicion, or a fire death is discovered, the investigation must be handed to a Group C Fire Investigator Level 2 Safety Codes Officer. The safety codes officer who began the investigation may assist.
  5. Investigate unsafe conditions in all classifications of buildings identified in the Alberta building code.
  6. Cannot issue orders, variances, permits, or enforce an order.

Required Courses

Introduction to Written Communication for Fire Safety Codes Officers (100115) — $150

Professional Communication Skills for Safety Codes Officers (100140) — $250

Introduction to the Safety Codes System in Alberta (100179) — $400

Introduction to the Fire and Building Codes: 2019 Alberta Edition (100221) — $150

Introduction to Fire Inspection: NFC 2019 Alberta Edition (100219) — $150

Introduction to Fire Investigation: NFC 2019 Alberta Edition (100220) — $150

Fire: Group B Level 1 (Inspector)

Entry Qualifications

One of the following:

  • Certification in Fire: Group A.
  • NFPA 1031 Level 1.

Scope of Practice

  1. Inspect any building classified in the Alberta Building Code, other than those:
    • identified as group F1, high hazard industrial buildings; and
    • “high buildings” as referenced in 3.2.6.1.(1).
  2. Conduct investigations according to the scope of Group A Fire SCOs.
  3. Establish occupant loads for any building with an occupant load of less than 300 persons.
  4. Investigate unsafe conditions in all classifications of buildings identified in the Alberta Building Code.
  5. Issue and enforce orders for any building identified in the scope of practice.
  6. Cannot issue permits.
  7. Cannot issue variances.

Required Courses

Option 1:

Introduction to the Safety Codes System in Alberta (100179) — $400

Effective Writing Techniques for Fire Safety Codes Officers (100116) — $325

Building Construction and Protection Systems: NFC 2019 Alberta Edition (100222) — $375

Properties of Materials: NFC 2019 Alberta Edition (100223) — $375

Inspection Procedures: NFC 2019 Alberta Edition (100224) — $375

Practical Evaluation for Inspector / Practicum

Option 2:

NFPA 1031 Level 1 Certification

Introduction to the Safety Codes System in Alberta (100179) — $400

Introduction to the Fire and Building Codes: 2019 Alberta Edition (100221) — $150

Fire: Group B Level 2 (Inspector)

Entry Qualifications

One of the following:

  • Standard certification as a Fire Group A Safety Codes Officer.
  • NFPA 1031 Level 1.

Scope of Practice

  1. Inspect any building classified in the Alberta Building Code, other than those:
    • identified as group F1, high hazard industrial buildings; and
    • “high buildings” as referenced in 3.2.6.1.(1).
  2. Conduct investigations according to the scope of Group A Fire Safety Code Officers.
  3. Establish occupant loads for any building with an occupant load of less than 300 persons.
  4. Investigate unsafe conditions in all classifications of buildings identified in the Alberta Building Code.
  5. Issue and enforce orders for any building identified in the scope of practice.
  6. Cannot issue permits.
  7. Cannot issue variances.

Required Courses

Option 1:

Evaluating Alternative Solutions: NFC 2019 Alberta Edition (100225) – $375

Courtroom and Legal Procedures (100226) – $375

Building Evaluation and Plan Review: NFC 2019 Alberta Edition (100227) – $375

Practical Evaluation for Inspector/Practicum 

Option 2:

NFPA 1031 Level 1 Certification

Introduction to the Safety Codes System in Alberta (100179) — $400

Introduction to the Fire and Building Codes: 2019 Alberta Edition (100221) — $150

Evaluating Alternative Solutions: NFC 2019 Alberta Edition (100225) – $375

Fire: Group C Level 1 (Investigator)

Entry Qualifications

Standard certification as a Group A Fire Safety Codes Officer.

Scope of Practice

  1. Investigate the origin and cause of fires where:
    • fire loss is estimated to be less than $2 million;
    • no death has occurred; and
    • the fire is not suspected to be arson.
  2. If during the investigation arson becomes a reasonable suspicion, or a fire death is discovered, the investigation will be handed to a Group C Level 2 Fire Safety Codes Officer. The Safety Codes Officer who began the investigation may assist.
  3. Investigate unsafe conditions in all classifications of buildings identified in the Alberta Building Code.
  4. Establish occupant loads according to the scope of practice for a Group A Fire Safety Codes Officer.
  5. Cannot issue orders or variances, enforce orders, or issue permits.
  6. Inspect small, assembly, residential, business and personal services, mercantile and low-hazard industrial buildings (less than 600 m2). These buildings:
    • may not have fire alarm systems, standpipe systems, sprinkler systems or other automatic fire suppression systems with the exception that they may have a commercial wet chemical kitchen fire suppression system;
    • are not an assembly occupancy with an occupational load greater than 150;
    • cannot be a group B1, B2, or B3 occupancy (detention, treatment, or care facility) such as a penitentiary, or hospital; and
    • cannot be a group F1, or, F2 occupancy (high and medium hazard industrial), such as chemical warehouse or spray-paint operations.

Required Courses

Effective Writing Techniques for Fire Safety Codes Officers (100116) — $325

Introduction to the Safety Codes System in Alberta (100179) — $400

Building Construction and Protection Systems: NFC 2019 Alberta Edition (100222) — $375

Properties of Materials: NFC 2019 Alberta Edition (100223) — $375

Cause Determination (100228) — $375

Investigation Procedures (100229) — $375

Fire: Group C Level 2 (Investigator)

Entry Qualifications

One of the following:

  • Standard certification as a Fire Group C1 Safety Codes Officer.
  • NFPA 1033.

Scope of Practice

  1. Investigate the origin and cause of fires in all classifications of buildings identified in the Alberta Building Code.
  2. Investigate unsafe conditions in all buildings identified in the Alberta Building Code.
  3. Establish occupant loads according to the scope of practice for a Group A Fire Safety Codes Officer.
  4. Inspect small assembly, residential, business and personal services, mercantile, and low-hazard industrial buildings (less than 600 m2). These buildings:
    • may not have fire alarm systems, standpipe systems, sprinkler systems or other automatic fire suppression systems with the exception that they may have a commercial wet chemical kitchen fire suppression system;
    • cannot be an assembly occupancy with an occupational load greater than 150 persons;
    • cannot be a group B1, B2, or B3 occupancy (detention, treatment, or care facility) such as a penitentiary, or hospital; and
    • cannot be a group F1 or F2 occupancy (high and medium hazard industrial), such as chemical warehouse or spray-paint operations.
  5. Cannot issue orders or variances, enforce orders, or issue permits.

Required Courses

Option 1:

Courtroom and Legal Procedures (100226) — $375

Building Evaluation and Plan Review: NFC 2019 Alberta Edition (100227) — $375

Advanced Investigation Procedures (100230) — $375

Applied Investigation (Practicum)

 

Option 2:

NFPA 1033 Level 1

Introduction to the Safety Codes System in Alberta (100179) — $400

Fire: Group E (Storage Tanks)

Entry Qualifications

One of the following:
  • Standard certification as a Fire Group B2 Safety Codes Officer.
  • Petroleum Mechanic 1 or Petroleum Mechanic 2 Certification from Canadian Petroleum Contractors Association.

Scope of Practice

  1. The scope of practice is limited to petroleum storage tank and petroleum storage tank systems within part 4 of the Alberta fire code. 
  2. Inspection of new and existing above ground tank, piping and dispensing installations and removals. 
  3. Inspection of new and existing underground storage tank, piping and dispensing installations and removals. 
  4. Investigate unsafe conditions only related to petroleum storage tanks. 
  5. Issue permits and variances for petroleum storage tanks.
  6. Cannot investigate the origin and cause of fires.

Required Courses

Option 1:

Tank Inspection: NFC 2023 Alberta Edition (824231) — $375

Petroleum Storage Tanks (Practicum)

 

Option 2:

CPCA Certification Petroleum Mechanic 1 or Petroleum Mechanic 2

CPCA Certification Petroleum Mechanic 1 or Petroleum Mechanic 2

Introduction to the Safety Codes System in Alberta (100179) — $400

Written Communications for Safety Codes Officers (100145) — $325

Professional Communication Skills for Safety Codes Officers (100140) — $250

Inspection Procedures: NFC 2019 Alberta Edition (100224) — $375

Evaluating Alternative Solutions: NFC 2019 Alberta Edition (100225) – $375

Tank Inspection: NFC 2023 Alberta Edition (824231) — $375

Code Update Training

The National Fire Code – 2023 Alberta Edition came into force on May 1, 2024. Fire safety codes officers are required to complete code update training.

Go to Code Update Training

Continuing Education

All safety codes officers must complete 30 continuing education credits over three years to renew their certification. For discipline-specific continuing education resources, explore the Council’s education resources.

Explore Education Resources

Organizations of Note

Official Documents

Other Links and Resources

We’re continuing to build this page. If you know of a resource that should be included, please contact us at certification@safetycodes.ab.ca.