You will find here information regarding requests requiring engineering expertise from the Montreal Fire Department (SIM), the types of files eligible for review, and the prerequisites for their assessment.

The SIM becomes involved when a project includes a deviation from applicable fire safety regulations and a solution is proposed to achieve an equivalent or acceptable level of safety.

The purpose of the review is to assess the proposed solution in light of fire safety objectives and the SIM’s legal mandate. It does not replace the work of the professionals responsible for the design, analysis, or implementation of projects.

When should Engineering be consulted?

The SIM Engineering Division is involved primarily when a file includes significant complex technical issues or presents a high level of risk.

A request may be submitted when:

• An applicable fire safety regulatory requirement cannot be met;
• The specific regulatory provision concerned has been clearly identified; and
• An alternative solution has been proposed.

Requests must relate to:

• Access routes for emergency vehicles and emergency response deployment;
• Access to equipment, facilities, and buildings for firefighting operations;
• Water supply for firefighting purposes;
• Requests for variances and alternative solutions related to fire safety; or
• Complex fire protection systems.

Requests that do not require Engineering involvement

To ensure the optimal use of the SIM’s specialized resources, the following are examples of requests that do not require Engineering involvement:

• Questions regarding the routine application of regulations;
• Requests that do not involve complex technical issues;
• Preliminary validation of concepts or pre-project proposals;
• Detailed design of fire protection systems;
• Hydraulic calculations;
• Water network capacity analyses;
• Preparation of plans, specifications, or technical documents on behalf of a third party; and
• Ongoing support for a construction or development project.

Required Information and Documentation

In order for a file to be reviewed, the following information and documents must be submitted:

• A description of the project;
• Identification of the regulatory provision concerned;
• A description of the deviation identified;
• Justification explaining why compliance with the applicable requirement is not possible;
• The proposed solution or compensatory measure;
• Relevant plans, reports, and other technical documentation; and
• When applicable, the analysis prepared by a qualified professional.

For general questions regarding the application of fire prevention regulations, please first contact the SIM Request Management Office or a Fire Prevention agent:

Contact Us Form: https://sim.montreal.ca/nous-ecrire

Telephone: (514) 872-3800

Email: @email