Fire Pre-Plan

Learn about fire pre-plans and improve readiness

With SmartDraw, You Can Create Many Different Types of Diagrams, Charts, and Visuals

What is a Fire Pre-Plan?

A fire pre-plan is a detailed diagram that provides fire departments with everything they need to know about a building or facility so they can respond quickly in the event of a fire or emergency. It usually maps out building layouts and floor plans, possible hazards, entry routes, and fire suppression systems.

By having this information properly documented, it gives firefighters the chance to respond to fires and other emergencies faster and more effectively, while keeping both occupants and firefighters safe. Firefighters already know where everything is located and they can take immediate action, so no valuable time is wasted.

Fire pre-plans eliminate uncertainty and gives firefighters critical knowledge they need to make quick decisions and save lives in high pressure situations.

Fire Pre-Plan Component Checklist

Building Information - This part includes basic details about a building or property such as building name, address, facility contact information, occupancy, and operations hours. It helps make sure that responding firefighters correctly identify the location of the emergency.
Site Plan & Aerial Photos - Gives firefighters the full view of a property and includes access roads, entry points, and parking areas.
Construction Information - This section includes everything firefighters need to know about how a building was constructed. It includes building construction type, dimensions, and number of floors. This information can help crews know what to expect from different materials under fire conditions.
Floor Plan & Layout - Shows the building interior layout and where all things are located. It can help firefighters navigate the building faster and safer.
Occupancy Information - This part informs firefighters who is in the building and where they might be located.

Access Points & Entry Information - Includes the locations of all gates, doors, and stairwells and any codes needed to enter the building. Knowing this ahead of time prevents delays in the operation.
Utility Shutoffs - Helps firefighters know where all utilities (gas, electrical, water) can be turned off and reduce even more hazards.
Fire Protection Systems - This section shows the location of all fire protection and suppression systems that are in a building. it includes sprinkler systems, fire alarms, standpipe locations, and fire extinguisher locations. It's important for firefighters to know this information before an emergency to help make tactical decisions and increase firefighter safety.
Water Supply Information - Locates all the Fire Department Connections (FDCs), hydrants, and fire pumps on a property.
Hazardous Materials - This section identifies the types of hazardous materials present in a building and where they are stored. Firefighters need to know what possible hazards they could be walking into so they know how to better prepare for it.

How to Make a Fire Pre-Plan

Using SmartDraw is the easiest way to create a fire pre-plan. You can start with a fire pre-plan template then simply import a Google Maps image or a PDF and set it to any scale. This can serve as the foundation of your pre-plan that you'll add your exit and access information to.You can also draw a site plan or floor plan from scratch if needed with intuitive tools that don't require a lot of training.

Once you have your site and floor plan, you can add symbols to mark all the necessary components for a pre-plan.

Add NFPA Symbols

SmartDraw includes hundreds of NFPA and industry-standard fire pre-plan symbols. Add symbols for fire protection systems, safety equipment, hazardous materials and more. Simply drag and drop the symbols needed to complete your fire pre-plan.

Read SmartDraw's full fire pre-plan tutorial.

Maintaining and Updating Fire Pre-Plans

Fire pre-plans are only effective if the information stays accurate and current. Building renovations, change in occupancy, upgrades to fire protection systems, and new hazardous materials are all things that can impact the effectiveness of a fire pre-plan. All fire pre-plans should be reviewed at least once per year and immediately updated when changes occur. An inaccurate fire pre-plan is almost like not having a fire pre-plan at all.

Fire Pre-Plan Examples

The best way to understand what a fire pre-plan is and what should be included is to look at some examples of fire pre-plans. Check out these examples included in SmartDraw. You can even edit them in your browser right now.