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Building safety compliance is rarely the most exciting agenda item, but it's the one most likely to result in a regulator showing up at your building. Most of the obligations are inexpensive on their own; the cost of missing them is concentrated when something goes wrong.
Roof anchor systems: the most-missed inspection
Every BC building with a permanent roof anchor system must have those systems inspected annually by a qualified professional under WorkSafeBC requirements. The corporation is responsible regardless of whether anyone uses them in a given year.
What an inspection covers
- Visual and tactile examination of every anchor point
- Load testing of a sample of anchors
- Review of associated rooftop systems (railings, parapets, edge protection)
- Inspection of horizontal lifelines and fall arrest systems
- Documentation: a written report with each anchor identified, condition rated, and any required action
What it costs
Typical inspections in 2026 run $800–$2,500 depending on building size and number of anchors. Repairs vary widely: from $200 caulking touch-ups to $20,000 anchor replacements.
What happens if you skip it
Most fall-protection contractors won't work without a current inspection record. WorkSafeBC can issue stop-work orders. And if a worker is injured, the corporation is exposed.
The full compliance calendar
Monthly
- Fire alarm system visual inspection
- Sprinkler control valve check
- Generator load test
- Emergency lighting visual
Annually
- Roof anchor inspection (WorkSafeBC)
- Full fire alarm inspection (CAN/ULC-S536)
- Annual sprinkler inspection (CAN/ULC-S524)
- Backflow preventer testing
- Boiler / pressure vessel inspection
- Generator full service
- Emergency lighting battery load test
- Kitchen exhaust hood cleaning
- Dryer vent cleaning
Semi-annually
- Elevator inspections (Elevating Devices Safety Regulation)
Every 5 years
- Sprinkler integrity test (systems older than 25 years)
- Depreciation report (mandatory under July 2024 rules)
Every 3 years
- Insurance appraisal
Where compliance lives in management
A professional strata management firm should maintain a master compliance calendar, schedule inspections proactively, track inspection reports and follow-up, surface compliance status in council reporting, and confirm contractor certifications.
Common compliance mistakes
- Treating roof anchors as optional when nobody is on the roof this year
- Letting fire safety contracts lapse without renewal
- Failing to follow up on deficiencies
- Out-of-date elevator certifications
- Generator paper compliance
- Backflow preventer drift
For more on the manager's role in compliance, see our guide on what a strata management company actually does.