The New AFCH Building and Fire Safety Guide

A Review by Don Epp, SARC Facility Planner, May 21, 2025

In July of 2024 the Ministry of Government Relations published an updated version of the Alternate Family Care Homes Building and Fire Safety Guide. This version of the Guide replaces the first edition, which was published in 2017. Like the first version, this new Guide provides a background on Alternate Family Care Homes (AFCH) and building and fire codes specific to AFCH. There are about 300 AFCH (group homes) funded by CLSD, operated through contracts with the Ministry of Social Services and under the Residential Services Act in Saskatchewan. The Guide also informs other CBOs operating AFCH under different Ministries. This article will focus on what is new to this Guide and highlight some of the important features this Guide can offer SARC Members.

Who is this Guide for?

Simply, this Guide is for all CBOs who operate AFCH, for all Fire Inspectors who inspect AFCHs, and for Licensing Authorities who issue annual licenses. It has the potential to increase the awareness of fire safety in an AFCH. It reinforces routines for ensuring building and fire safety. Accountability for building and fire safety is provided through the licensing process as detailed in the Guide. All stakeholders are working from the same starting point. CBOs know what is required for a fire inspection and a fire inspector knows what information the Licensing Body requires. Group Living Homes are not licensed nor are they considered an AFCH. Although not required, Group Living Homes, SILP suites and independent living arrangements could benefit from implementing some building and fire prevention practices to help keep people safe in their home.   

How is this Guide to be used?

The first part of the Guide is a historical and theoretical background to AFCH in Saskatchewan and how AFCH are incorporated into the Construction Codes Act. The second part of the Guide is the practical application of the specific codes related to AFCH. It documents the details required for licensing. There are Forms included in the Guide that are part of the CLSD Licensing process. These Forms are to be filled out by the Fire Inspector through their inspection and review of documents supplied by the CBO.  Self-assessment Forms are to be filled out by the CBO. CLSD Licensing Inspectors review the Forms, documents and other licensing requirements like Health Inspection reports. The second part of the Guide (Forms Section) is only for licensing purposes.  

What is new in the Guide?

Much of the information contained in the 2017 version of the Guide is repeated in the 2024 version. It may appear to be new as some parts are presented in a new format, and there are some new licensing requirements that need attention from the CBO as well. Here are some new and highlighted requirements found in the Guide and in the Forms used for Licensing:

1. Types of AFCH. Each group home falls into one of four categories, and each has unique characteristics and requirements:
   • Group homes with 6-10 occupants-in-care (OIC) with fire sprinklers can support residents who are not capable of self-preservation. These homes follow different building and fire codes than the 1-5 OIC group homes. These homes generally have exit signs and fire rated furnace rooms among other more “commercial” code requirements.
   • Group homes with 6-10 OIC without fire sprinklers can only support residents who are capable of self-preservation. These homes follow the same building and fire codes as the 6-10 OIC group homes with fire sprinklers. Additional Fire Safety Measures (AFSM) are required in these homes which detail the location and type of combination smoke/CO alarms that are needed. Most 6-10 OIC group homes have fire sprinklers or are in the process of installing sprinklers.
   • Group homes with 1-5 OIC with fire sprinklers can support residents who are not capable of self-preservation. All group homes with 1-5 OIC follow the building and fire codes of a typical “residential” home with additional unique requirements of an AFCH, like emergency lights and upgraded coverage by smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
   • Group homes with 1-5 OIC without fire sprinklers must meet the AFSM requirements, which support increased fire safety in the home. The AFSM requirements include, for example, the installation of a heat alarm, guidelines for using candles, the requirement of having a fire inspector present during a fire drill (where possible) and new Fire Safety Training for all staff working in these homes.  
2. Licensing Forms – There are 8 Forms that the CBO must fill out or provide the necessary information for the inspectors to fill out for the purpose of licensing. These Forms are like the Appendices in the 2017 Guide. The new Forms require the CBO to present the Fire Inspector with a copy of all the building permits that pertain to each group home and to comply with the Fire Inspector’s recommendations regarding the group home’s compliance with the local authority’s building bylaw and fire bylaw requirements. There are Forms where the CBO is required to self-assess the self-preservation status of each resident and self-assess the completion of the Additional Fire Safety Measures (AFSM) requirements which will be verified by the Ministry of Social Services. 
   • Use of these Forms is not required until after March 31, 2026. During the current licensing period, CLSD Licensing Inspectors will provide specific individualized instruction to each CBO as to what is needed for licensing each group home and the process for completing the annual license procedure.
   • Please read the Guide and Forms to prepare questions on the logistics of the licensing process for the following year. Your CLSD Manager may be able to answer some of these questions as well.
3. Additional Fire Safety Measures – AFSM are required in all homes without sprinklers. This includes fire and safety training for all staff working in a 1-5 OIC group home without sprinklers. There is a companion document to the Guide called the AFCH Fire Safety Training Guide and an on-line training webinar that follows the outline of the AFCH Fire Safety Training Guide.  
   • The Fire and Safety Training webinar provides information about fire theory, common residential fire hazards, fire extinguisher types and usage, and fire prevention. In homes without sprinklers, fire prevention is a priority.
   • Other modules include information and templates to meet requirements in the Licensing Forms:
     • Fire Safety Planning – How to create a fire safety plan as well as an evacuation map are discussed. New for 2026 is the requirement to include the location of a Muster Point on the evacuation map and how to get to the Muster Point using two exits. The training stresses the importance of discussing the Fire Safety Plan with the Fire Inspector, especially if there is a resident who is not capable of self-preservation.
     • Fire Drills – How to conduct a fire drill, how to assess a fire drill and how to record the results of a fire drill are all included in the module on Fire Drills. Templates are included to provide the results of the 12 Fire Drills to the Fire Inspector.
     • Testing Fire Safety Equipment – This module discusses how to inspect the installation and operation of all required fire safety equipment. There is a template provided to record weekly inspection results. In group homes with a fire alarm panel, it is important to check with the fire alarm inspection company before testing devices connected to the fire alarm panel on your own.
     • Self-preservation – This module helps the CBO determine who is capable of self-preservation. The fire safety plan, as discussed with the fire inspector, should highlight what is needed to keep that resident safe in the event of a fire emergency. In some cases, extra staff may be required to safely use ceiling tracks and lifts during an evacuation from the group home.  Recommendations about the fire safety plan will come from the fire inspector and questions about those recommendations should be directed to the fire inspector; however, organizations may also want to engage their CLSD Manager if they have questions about the practical application of the recommendations.
   • Although the AFSM training is required for group homes with 1-5 OIC without sprinklers, it is a worthwhile webinar for all staff to take, regardless of the type of AFCH they work in. Like many things in life, and especially with fire safety, prevention is much easier than dealing with the consequences of a fire. Learning how to prevent fires and knowing what to do if there is a fire are important life lessons to learn, especially in a group home.

The overall goal of the Alternate Family Care Homes Building and Fire Safety Guide, and of CBOs, is to provide a safe home for residents and staff. The Guide is a good resource to have. It lays out what is required in the licensing process and the responsibilities of the CBO, fire inspectors and other stakeholders. There should be no surprises, and the Guide can help eliminate misunderstandings. Creating fire safety plans and practicing fire drills are important, as well as having an early warning system through well placed smoke, CO, and heat alarms. Staff training in fire safety will also add an extra layer to the code requirements. Safety of people using the facility remains the highest priority. For support with all building and fire safety concerns, please contact SARC’s Facility Planner.

Additional Resources

 *This article has been edited May 22, 2025