Summary
Cleaning practices directly affect fire-code readiness in Alberta, especially when it comes to having clear egress routes, fire doors, emergency lighting, clear service rooms, and proper dust/waste handling. Use the quiz below to self-check against the National Fire Code – 2023 Alberta Edition and local guidance, then generate a remediation checklist for your team or vendor.
Does Your Cleaning Program Support Fire Code Compliance?
Hidden storage in stairwells, propped fire doors, dusty mezzanines, and oily-rag piles are just some of the everyday housekeeping issues that can create fire hazards in the workplace. Many of these issues are preventable with the right cleaning program. What gets cleaned, how often, and how waste is removed can all reduce risk and make it easier to pass a fire inspection.
Alberta’s fire code was last updated on May 1, 2024. That update, along with guidelines from local authorities, emphasize best practices like:
- Keeping exits unobstructed
- Installing self-closing fire doors
- Maintaining exit/emergency lighting
- Never using mechanical/electrical rooms for storage
- Improving dust/waste practices
… And more. But if you’ve got gaps in any of those areas, even small changes in your cleaning routines can make a big difference.
Picture Perfect Cleaning builds custom commercial cleaning plans that support fire code compliance across a wide range of different business environments common to Alberta. Use this free tool we created to find out whether your current cleaning plan is fire-code friendly, then contact us to close any gaps you find before your next inspection.
How to Use This Quiz
This tool can be used as a quick self-check for your current cleaning program. It’s built to align with NFC–2023 Alberta Edition and local AHJ summaries.
Here’s a quick overview of how to use it:
- Select your occupancy/industry (or choose General if unsure).
- Answer 12 yes/no questions (1–2 extra if your industry has added risk).
- See your risk level (Low/Moderate/High) and a prioritized action list.
- Print/Save a personalized checklist and share it with your team or vendor.
- If you uncover high-risk items, book a PPC fire-readiness cleaning audit.
See Also: How to Choose the Best Professional Industrial Cleaner
Check Your Current Cleaning Program’s Fire-Code Readiness Now
Does Your Cleaning Program Support Fire Code Compliance?
Answer 12 quick yes/no questions (plus optional occupancy) to get a risk level and a remediation checklist you can print or share with your team.
Based on the National Fire Code – 2023 Alberta Edition (in force May 1, 2024) and local AHJ summaries.
Optional: Select Your Occupancy/Industry
If your workplace doesn’t fit any of these categories, select General. This applies the baseline fire code expectations that cover most workplaces.
Selecting an occupancy adds targeted checks and adjusts weighting where risk is higher for that sector. If your site spans more than one area (e.g., an auto dealership with a showroom and service bays), choose the higher‑risk option or run the quiz twice.
Your 12 Core Checks
Why these checks?
Sources (selected)
- Government of Alberta — Fire codes and standards (NFC–2023 AE in force May 1, 2024). alberta.ca/fire-codes-and-standards
- National Research Council — National Fire Code – 2023 Alberta Edition (overview). nrc.canada.ca › national‑fire‑code‑2023‑alberta‑edition
- Calgary Fire Department — Fire Safety Maintenance Requirements (common violations & maintenance). PDF
- Safety Codes Council (Alberta) — Fire doors: keep closed & checks. PDF
- City of Calgary — Fire doors (public guidance). calgary.ca/safety/fire‑doors
- Exit signs & emergency lighting — maintenance examples. PDF; example guidance: Beaumont Fire guide
- Electrical/mechanical rooms — working space & storage restrictions (local guidance). Calgary PDF
- CCOHS — Combustible dust housekeeping (use approved vacuums; avoid dry sweeping/compressed air). ccohs.ca › combustible_dust
- CCOHS — Compressed air cleaning restrictions. ccohs.ca › compressed_air
- CCOHS — Oily rags in covered metal containers. housekeeping checklist; garages: good practices
- Flammable storage cabinets — Canadian capacity. ANSI/CAN/UL/ULC 1275:2024
- Education/Daycare — classroom/corridor display limit (≤20% wall area). calgary.ca › artwork‑teaching‑displays
Don’t Get Burned by Compliance Issues—Get a Cleaning Plan that Meets Alberta Fire Code Standards
A compliant cleaning program starts with the basics:
- Keep egress routes clear every night
- Ensure fire doors are never propped
- Verify exit/emergency lighting works
- Keep mechanical/electrical rooms free of storage
- Handle flammables, oily rags, and dust with the right containers and methods
These are among the most common deficiencies flagged by inspectors, and they’re all addressable through your cleaning scope and routines.
Picture Perfect Cleaning can translate your quiz results into a site-specific plan with written frequencies, close-down sweeps, waste staging rules, and documentation that supports your Fire Safety Plan.
If you manage multiple sites or mixed-use facilities, we’ll also standardize the approach and train your staff to make sure your business stays inspection-ready. Contact us today and find your perfect cleaning partner for the future.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cleaning & Fire Code Compliance
Yes. Housekeeping directly impacts how well your business can fulfill fire code requirements, especially for things like unobstructed egress, closed/self-latching fire doors, maintained exit/emergency lighting, and safe handling of combustibles and waste. A vendor’s nightly routines (and your oversight) can prevent many of the most common issues flagged during inspections.
Local experts recommend regular (often monthly) function checks for exit signs/emergency lighting, along with annual testing per your Fire Safety Plan. Make sure to document your results!
No. Many regional authorities make it clear that mechanical/electrical service rooms are not for storage; keeping them clear reduces ignition hazards and preserves access. Build “no-storage” checks into cleaning routines.
Place oily rags in covered metal containers and remove them regularly. Improper rag handling is a known fire risk and a common housekeeping miss.
Yes. In education occupancies, Calgary guidance caps combustible wall displays to help control fuel load. Assembly occupancies require strong egress discipline and supervised operations. Adjust your cleaning checks accordingly.
Alberta declared the National Fire Code – 2023 Alberta Edition in force on May 1, 2024. You can review the province’s code-in-force page and the NRC publication online.
