This presentation has two parts. The first part will focus on Residential Highrise Inspections – TFS Approach. It will outline how Toronto Fire Services manages the inspection of residential highrise buildings through a structured and risk-based process. You will learn how inspection priorities are determined, what inspectors look for on-site—including critical life safety systems and Fire Code compliance— and how SOGs and proper documentation guide our work. The session will also highlight enforcement practices, collaborative follow-up with key divisions, and lessons learned that continue to shape inspection strategies and improve fire safety outcomes citywide.
The second part will focus on what a highrise is, why they are designed to be safe, and what are the primary concerns. When you live in a highrise, knowing when to evacuate and when to shelter in place is of paramount importance. Since the City of Toronto is now a vertical city, it impacts every service we provide including fire safety education. With the second largest community housing profile in North America, we have developed key partnerships with agencies that can help amplify our messaging including both Toronto Community Housing and Toronto Senior's Community Housing. Come learn about some of Toronto's historical highrise fires and the important lessons we have learned. Finally, find out about two 2025 highrise fires that occurred in the same building within a month, and how they were impacted by accumulations of lithium ion batteries, a trending fire risk both globally and in Toronto.