Quebec Condo Emergency Plans: What Does the Law Say?

A solid emergency plan has become essential for every divided co-ownership in Quebec. Between power outages, water leaks, fires and extreme weather events, a condo without a clear plan is exposed to more damage, costs and tension. The law does not set out a single model, but it imposes safety, maintenance and contingency obligations on the syndicate and the board of directors (board) that, in practice, require a written plan that is distributed and tested.

In this article, we summarize what the law provides, the roles of the board and co-owners, and the essential contents of an emergency plan ready to be implemented during outages and damage.

What the law really requires in Quebec

• The Civil Code of Quebec requires the syndicate to preserve the building, administer the common portions and protect the rights of co-owners (see section 1039 C.C.Q.). In practice, this means anticipating risks, preparing the emergency response and documenting procedures.
• The by-laws of the immovable and the declaration of co-ownership may set out safety, access and intervention rules; make sure the emergency plan is aligned with them.
• The Safety Code and the Building Code, administered by the RBQ, require the maintenance, inspection and periodic testing of safety equipment (fire alarms, sprinklers, emergency lighting, exits and generators). An effective emergency plan must incorporate these obligations and specify who does what, when and with which suppliers.
• Holding annual general meetings (AGMs) and retaining documents (minutes, notices and maintenance reports) help demonstrate the diligence of the board and the syndicate if an incident occurs.

Updated as of 2026-06-24, consult the official legislation and guides to validate your practices:

• Civil Code of Quebec (LégisQuébec)
• Safety Code, Building chapter (LégisQuébec)
• RBQ – Fire safety and equipment
• RGCQ – Resources and best practices

The roles of the board, manager, co-owners and suppliers

• Board of directors (board): adopts the plan, allocates budgets, appoints responsible persons, approves signage and communications, reports to the AGM and retains evidence (minutes, exercise attendance lists and inspection reports).
• Manager (internal or external): coordinates the drafting and updating of the plan, organizes training and exercises, maintains the contact list, and initiates and supervises the response according to the scenarios.
• Co-owners and occupants: know the instructions, keep their contact information and specific needs up to date (e.g. reduced mobility), and report any defect in private portions that could affect the common portions (e.g. an aging water heater).
• Suppliers and professionals: licensed contractors (RBQ) for system maintenance, fire safety firms, electricians, plumbers, post-loss restoration contractors and engineers for expert advice when needed.

For operational organization and on-site coordination, see our operations management services. For documentation, notices and administrative follow-up (minutes, lists and protocols), also see our administrative management.

Essential contents of an emergency plan

An effective plan is clear, concise and easy to consult. It should be version-controlled, dated, approved by the board and distributed to the relevant occupants.

Roles and chain of command

• Person responsible (24/7) and alternates.
• On-site coordinator (e.g. superintendent or manager) and assembly points.
• Escalation procedure (when to alert 911, specialized firms, the insurer, an engineer, etc.).

Critical data and resources

• Roster of people with reduced mobility or who require assistance.
• Evacuation diagrams and locations: water isolation valves, electrical panels, gas shut-offs, mechanical rooms, sprinklers, detectors, fire extinguishers and roof hatches.
• Inventory of master keys/master fobs, emergency access cards and alarm codes.
• Register of equipment requiring mandatory maintenance (fire alarms, sprinklers, generator and emergency lighting), with testing frequency and assigned firms.

Communications and documents

• Call tree (board, management, concierge, suppliers, insurer and emergency services).
• Template messages for temporary notices (water outage, power outage, evacuation and return to normal) by email/SMS/posting.
• Recording procedure: incident log, photos/videos, findings, claim numbers and board decisions recorded in the minutes.

Standard scenarios and checklists

• Fire or alarm: evacuation, occupant count, exit control, providing access to emergency services and post-event notice.
• Water leak/damage: shut-off valve, protection of at-risk areas, calls to the plumber/restoration contractor, cause investigation and communication with affected units.
• Extended power outage: securing elevators, checking doors, verifying the generator and emergency lighting, assisting vulnerable people and preserving food if there are communal refrigerators.
• Extreme weather events: prevention (sandbags, backwater valves and seasonal equipment), snow removal from exits and post-event inspection.
• Spill or incident in the parking area: ventilation, containment and calling a specialist.

Useful appendices

• Complete contact information (board, management, concierge, suppliers, insurer, municipality and non-emergency services).
• Relevant technical plans and photos showing the locations of critical devices.
• Procedures for accessing private portions in an emergency (in accordance with the declaration of co-ownership and the by-laws), with notices and retention of evidence.
• Applicable RBQ requirements and testing/maintenance certificates organized by equipment.

Implementation: preparation, exercises and updates

• Adoption and distribution: the board adopts the first version, sets an effective date and distributes a quick-reference guide to occupants (paper and digital). An annual reminder is recommended.
• Targeted training: brief the concierge, board members and “floor captains.” At the AGM, present an overview and record the decisions and questions in the minutes.
• Periodic exercises: conduct at least one guided evacuation drill when appropriate and documented tests (emergency lighting, alarm and generator) in accordance with regulatory requirements. Retain the reports and photographic evidence.
• Continuous improvement: after every incident or exercise, hold a short review of what worked well and what did not, then revise the plan. Archive previous versions.
• Budgets and planning: include the costs of training, maintenance and materials (posters, radios and kits) in the common expenses. For major replacements (e.g. a generator), include them in the maintenance logbook/EUC and contingency fund, with professional support when needed.

Need structured support? See our packages and discuss an implementation plan suited to the size of your building.

Key scenarios: how to respond quickly and effectively

• Extended power outage
  • Secure elevators (controlled stop and signage), exits and access points.
  • Check the generator and emergency lighting; document the remaining operating time.
  • Communicate with occupants: safety measures, assistance for vulnerable people and a reminder about the use of extension cords and candles (which are prohibited in the common portions).
  • After power is restored: quickly inspect critical equipment and update the incident log.
• Major water damage
  • Shut off the supply (main/floor valve), protect the areas and move common property to a safe place.
  • Call a plumber and restoration firm; begin drying within 24–48 hours to limit mould.
  • Notify the affected units and the syndicate’s insurer; record photos, rooms and file numbers.
  • Investigate the cause and take corrective measures; if the issue recurs, bring it to the board and, if necessary, a professional.
• Fire alarm/smoke present
  • Initiate the evacuation and guide people to the assembly points.
  • Provide the plans and service keys to firefighters; keep an approximate count of occupants.
  • After the event: ventilation, checks, documentation and communication about the return.
• Gas incident/suspicious odour
  • Evacuate, shut off the supply if necessary and call 911; avoid any sparks or use of appliances.
  • Have a qualified professional handle the return to service.

For compliance of protection and alarm systems, refer to the RBQ – Fire safety, the Safety Code – Building and the RGCQ guides. The general legal framework for co-ownership is set out in the C.C.Q..

Distribution, access and proof of diligence

• Accessibility: keep the plan in paper format in the mechanical room and in a shared, protected digital version. Post the essential information in strategic locations (exits, vestibules and parking area).
• Data protection: the list of vulnerable people and personal contact information must be kept confidential and accessible only to designated responsible persons.
• Traceability: archive notices sent, exercise and maintenance reports, and board decisions in the minutes. In the event of a claim, this evidence demonstrates the syndicate’s diligence.

See other useful articles on our blog and discover how MultiRent structures the response to outages and damage in a divided co-ownership under our management.

FAQ

• Is a written plan mandatory?
  The law does not impose a single “format.” However, the duty to preserve the building (see section 1039 C.C.Q.) and the technical requirements of the Safety Code make a written plan practically essential for coordinating, training and demonstrating the syndicate’s diligence.
• Who must approve the plan and keep it up to date?
  The board adopts and updates the plan, may delegate its preparation to the manager, and presents its main points at the AGM. Any rule affecting the rights or obligations of occupants should be consistent with the declaration of co-ownership and, where necessary, incorporated into the by-laws of the immovable.
• Where should the plan be kept and how should it be updated?
  Keep a paper copy in the mechanical room and a shared digital version. After every incident or exercise, prepare a dated update and archive the previous version.

This article provides general information and does not constitute legal advice. For your situation, consult a lawyer or notary.

This article provides general information and does not replace advice from a tax specialist or accountant. Refer to Revenu Quebec and the CRA for the exact rules.

Do you manage a divided co-ownership in Quebec? Discover our packages or contact us to assess your needs.