Learn more about the academic programs we are delivering in Winter 2025. If you have any questions about part-time studies, please contact us.
Fire Safety
Seneca College Certificate
Overview
Important: This program will open for registration for the Winter 2025 Term in November. To be notified by email when registration opens, please click the Notify Me button under your course of interest.
Recognized by the Canadian Fire Safety Association, this program will interest a wide range of participants from the building and fire industry who are involved with design, construction, safety, and security.
Aspects of life safety, fire science theory and principles are covered in relation to home, commerce and industry.
Career Opportunities
For the individual who is interested in a career change to fire prevention with a municipal fire department, the Fire Safety certificate provides the information required to write the knowledge-specific entrance test used by most fire departments. This certificate also provides individuals, who are currently employed and find that fire safety is part of their job, the opportunity to enhance their fire knowledge.
Entry Requirements
There are no entry requirements.
Prerequisites
It is your responsibility to ensure that program requirements and course prerequisites as outlined are met. Prerequisites are included for your academic protection. Knowledge of the prerequisite material is assumed by your instructor and instruction will proceed accordingly. Students lacking prerequisites not only jeopardize their own ability to succeed but present unnecessary interruption. If you lack appropriate prerequisites (or Transfer Credit for the prerequisite course) you may be asked to withdraw or transfer to a more appropriate course with the risk of academic/financial penalty.
Part-time Studies courses are being offered in either of the following four formats: Online, Flexible, In-person, Hybrid. Click Availability below to see current offerings.
Curriculum
This course covers the basics of fire science based on its chemical and physical properties. Topics include introduction to fire codes and standards, properties of and protection from hazardous and combustible materials, life safety, containment and compartmentation as related to building construction and extinguishing methods, limitations and effects on various combustibles.
Conducting effective regular and specialized fire inspections is an integral part of the job of a fire prevention professional. This course focuses on the legal framework of fire safety inspections and real-life application of the Fire Protection and Prevention Act and the Ontario Fire Code. Students examine fire safety inspection cases from start to finish including legal actions taken under the Provincial Offences Act.
This course provides an understanding of the implications of emergency planning for fire and life safety. The provisions for emergency planning and fire safety planning as stipulated in the Ontario Fire Code are used as the basis of study. Other relevant Codes and Standards and all available official guidelines on this topic are explored. The students have hands-on experience in the preparation and presentation of a comprehensive fire safety plan tailor-made for a particular occupancy.
The Introduction to Fire and Explosion Investigator course is intended to increase the professional knowledge and improve the analytical skills of those persons who wish to engage in the investigation and analyses of fire and explosion incidents.
Note: This course includes a two-day practical.
FSF901 Fire Safety Basics I
Retrofit (Part 9 of the Ontario Fire Code) is a tool that is used to bridge the gap between older buildings and current codes and standards. Retrofit plays an integral role for municipal fire departments when dealing with specific high-risk occupancies like rooming and lodging houses, basement apartments, hospitals and senior's living facilities. In this subject, students gain a thorough understanding of how retrofit is utilized to make aging buildings safer and the historical cases that have shaped the compliance requirements of Part 9 of the Ontario Fire Code.
Conducting effective public fire and life safety education is an integral part of the job of a fire safety professional. This course focuses on the management and delivery of public fire and life safety education programs both in the public and private sectors. Topics include basic learning theories, community-based program development cycle, train-the-trainer, public relations, partnerships and high risk groups.
This course is designed to explore the fire and life safety measures involving the handling, storage, process, transfer and use of flammable and combustible liquids as per Part 4 of the Ontario Fire Code.
This course explores fire safety processes and requirements from Part 3 and 5 of the Ontario Fire Code and related industry standards. Students will learn to apply the fire code to outdoor and indoor storage facilities, lumber yards, tire storage and in hazardous processes including spray booths, dip tanks and operations dealing with combustible dusts
This course explores what constitutes an emergency and the roles of emergency management offices at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels. Students discuss messaging for public education and training and the role of incident management systems. Students will also discover the resources and powers that become available with the declaration of an emergency and roles/responsibilities in an emergency by studying real life cases.
Program Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students are able to:
- Demonstrate a basic understanding of the chemical and physical properties of fire
- Apply knowledge of provincial fire codes and standards
- Apply knowledge of building construction, hazardous and combustible materials and extinguishing methods to fire protection, containment and compartmentation
- Describe the emergency planning requirements for fire and life safety as stipulated in the Ontario Fire Code
- Prepare and present a comprehensive fire safety plan for a particular occupancy
- Discuss the legal framework in which fire inspections are conducted
- Analyze a safety inspection case and the application of the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, the Ontario Fire Code and the Provincial Offences Act to it
- Identify proper handling, storage, process, transfer and use of flammable and combustible liquids as per Part 4 of the Ontario Fire Code for fire and life safety
- Discuss the role of public fire and life safety education in the public and private sectors
- Describe the main components and contribution to fire safety of fire protection systems
- Assist in the analysis of a fire or explosion incident
Credit for Prior Learning
Prior Learning Assessment
Earn college credits for what you already know.
Prior Learning Assessment is a method of assessing and recognizing learning that is equal to
college level learning, but has been gained outside a traditional classroom (through work
experience, volunteering, outside study, etc.). If you can prove that the knowledge you have gained
meets the outcomes of a Seneca course, then credit will be awarded.
How does the PLA process work?
Prior Learning is demonstrated through a "challenge" process. The process measures learning
through a variety of methods which may include tests, portfolio assessment, interviews,
demonstrations, essays, and work samples. The method used will be determined in consultation with a
Program Coordinator.
For more information and to determine if you are eligible for PLA, please call the Program
Coordinator.
The process may take from 6 to 8 weeks.
Note: Not all courses can be challenged. For more information go to PLA website or contact your Program Coordinator.
Transfer Credit
Many students who enter Seneca Polytechnic will have earned academic credits in postsecondary educational institutions which they may be able to apply toward completion of a Seneca Polytechnic program.
Requests for Transfer Credit must be for a specific course and must be accompanied by an official transcript and course outline. A minimum grade of "C" (60 percent) is generally required for a course to be considered for Transfer Credit.
Download a Transfer Credit Request form. An official copy of your transcript and applicable detailed course outlines should be attached and submitted. Please note it may take 4 to 6 weeks for a Transfer Credit decision.
More Information
Please visit the Office of the Registrar.
Graduation/Convocation
When you meet all program requirements and become eligible for a certificate, diploma, or degree, you must inform the Registrar by completing a Graduation Application form and paying the graduation and alumni fee. Certificates, diplomas, and applied degrees are issued twice a year in the Fall (October), Spring (June) and Winter (February).
For further information including deadlines and fees, please visit the Convocation website or contact the Convocation Office at theservicehub@senecapolytechnic.ca.
Minimum Performance for Graduation
A student will be eligible to graduate from a certificate, diploma, advanced diploma or graduate certificate program if they have achieved a minimum graduating GPA of 2.0.
A student will be eligible to graduate from a degree program if they have achieved a minimum graduating GPA of 2.5, which includes a minimum GPA of 2.5 in the courses in their main field of study and a minimum GPA of 2.0 in breadth courses.
Residency Requirements
A faculty of Seneca Polytechnic may recommend a student for a certificate, diploma or degree only after the student has earned a minimum of twenty-five percent of the credit for that program at Seneca.
Program Contacts
Ramya Kottapalli
Program Assistant
Ramya.Kottapalli@senecapolytechnic.ca
416.764.0975
Jacqueline Bar
Manager, Academic Programs
Jacqueline.Bar@senecapolytechnic.ca
416.764.0984
For more information about this program, fill out the following form.