Fire Alarm Inspections and Testing
Inspection and testing
The Ontario Fire Code requires, periodic Inspection and Testing of all Fire Alarm Systems. The OFC references CAN/ULC S536 " The Standard for Inspection and Testing of Fire Alarm Systems". Annual Inspections must be completed by a certified Fire Alarm Technician. Daily and Monthly Inspections can be completed by building maintenance staff, however, an understanding of the system and its components is required.
Verification of Fire Alarm Systems
The Ontario Building Code states, " fire alarm systems shall be verified in conformance with , CAN/ULC S537, "The Standard for the Verification of Fire Alarm Systems". This applies to new systems being commissioned and all additions and alterations to existing Fire Alarm Systems. All Verifications are to be completed by a certified Fire Alarm Technician.
Installation of Fire Alarm Systems
The Ontario Electrical Safety Code and CAN/ULC S524, "The Standard for the Installation of Fire Alarm Systems" in tandem, complete the codes and standards to be met, when installing Fire Alarm Systems in Ontario.
Types of Fire alarm Systems
Conventional Fire Alarm Systems
Conventional Fire Alarm Systems are typically found in small to mid sized buildings.Supervision of all devices is achieved electrically. Each fire zone is wired independently, this allows the Fire Alarm Control Panel to differentiate between zones and annunciate Alarms and Supervision faults to a specific location
Addressable Fire Alarm Systems
Addressable Fire Alarm Systems can be used in all building applications, they can be found in small apartment buildings or large campus style networks. Devices respond to poling from the Fire Alarm Control Panel, each device has a unique address. Through poling, the FACP knows the state of each device.This allows for precise fire detection. For example: A conventional panel in alarm may annunciate something like "Second Floor Apartments" where as an Addressable panel would read "Apartment 204". This expedites Fire Fighter response in the case of emergency.
