OBOA 2009 Huntsville, ON Overview of ULC Standards Affecting Building Occupancy

Alan Cavers Area Manager Fire & Security Systems Group

Course Title: Rev Date

Agenda
Introduction to Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC) Installation of a Fire Alarm System CAN/ULC-S524-06 Verification of a Fire Alarm System CAN/ULC-S537-04 Monitoring Fire Alarm Systems CAN/ULC-S561-03

Objectives
Discuss Compliance with the Ontario Building Code

Identify the Code Requirements to install and verify a fire alarm system

Identify the Code Requirements for the monitoring a fire alarm system.

Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC)

Established August 15, 1920 Independent, not-for-profit product safety testing and certification organization, Standards Development Organization Offices in Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and Vancouver Tested products for public safety for over 80 years Accredited by the Standards Council of Canada Affiliate of Underwriters Laboratories Inc.

Fire Alarm Installation

BUILDING and ELECTRICAL PERMIT FIRE ALARM SYSTEM INSTALLED FIRE ALARM SYSTEM VERIFIED

VERIFICATION Documentation

ULC CERTIFICATE Protective Signaling Certificate

Building Official Acceptance Occupancy Granted

Code References
OBC OBC OBC OFC 3.2.4.5 (1) CAN/ULC-S524-06 3.2.4.5.(2) CAN/ULC-S537-04 3.2.4.7 (4) CAN/ULC-S561-03 6.3.1.2. (1) CAN/ULC-S536-04

Code Compliance
Ontario Building Code- defines who needs a fire alarm system. Ontario Building Code gives reference to the installation of the fire alarm system CAN/ULC-S524 Ontario Building Code gives reference on how the fire alarm system is to be Verified prior to occupancy. CAN/ULC-S537 Ontario Fire Code- gives reference to the ongoing maintenance of the fire alarm system CAN/ULC-S536

What is Required to Comply to the AHJ

New Building
Building and Electrical Permit Fire Alarm System- Design/ Build documentation from the Engineer on record Stamped by the AHJ Fire Alarm System is installed to CAN/ULC-S524 Verification CAN/ULC-S537-04 Documentation to be provided to the building owner and building official Letter form the Engineer on record Sign-off on the design/build Letter from the Electrical Contractor- Installation to CAN/ULC-S524 Verification Report- No Deficiencies Certificate Monitoring of the Fire Alarm System in Accordance with CAN/ULC-S561-03

Fire Alarm System

This Standard CAN/ULC-S537 prescribes inspection and test procedures for the purpose of verifying that the fire alarm system is installed in conformance with the design and CAN/ULC-S524, Standard for the Installation of Fire Alarm Systems, and performs all of its intended functions as designed.

Who can perform a Verification?

Any person who performs the verification of a fire alarm system should be familiar with this Standard and have received suitable formal training or sufficient experience acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction.
Company or Person other that the installing contractor
2 2 2 2

Independent Designer Signed off Electrical contractor Installation of Fire Alarm System Independent Alarm Company- Verification CFAA or ECAO Certified

Exception- Replacement or an addition of one device.

Section 3: Verification Requirements

Inspect & Test each fire alarm system Installed to the requirements of CAN/ULC-S524 prior to occupancyReport Appendix C1- C6 CAN/ULC-S537 Control Unit/Transponder Tested as installed Additions, deletions, modifications replacements (including firmware and software changes Tested to Section 6 under System Modifications Partial Occupancies and Stage replacement Inspection shall include damage or tampering

Verification Procedures Continued

Documentation: - CAN/ULC-S537-04- Verification of Fire Alarm Systems Report Appendix C1 through C6 if applicable Sequence of operation Testing of all equipment and devices for correct operation
Control Units , Transponders, Annunciators Data Communication Links, Isolator Modules Power Supply and Emergency Power Supply Smoke & Heat Detectors, Manual stations

Documentation:
Important
A copy of the verification report shall be given to the owner or the owners representative for the building and be kept available on site.

System Modifications Existing Buildings

Field Devices added to an existing system
Compatible with control unit and other devices Loading of the circuit has not been exceeded; Emergency power provided is of sufficient capacity for the additional device(s); and The input circuit to output circuit operation, including ancillary device circuits shall be tested for correct program operation, as per design and specification

System Modifications
Conventional Devices added, modifications, deletions
Test the device plus one on either side Check the wiring ( supervision) EOL Circuit to verified

Replacement of a field device

Verified in accordance with this Standard

Conventional Device added Circuit from a common junction box

Test all devices served by that junction box.

System Modifications
Data Communication Links
New and existing devices to be verified (Refer to 6.11) Computer based system (addressable) Software modifications Test all functions that could be affected by the change All changes shall be verified Operational test to be performed Correct Sequence of operation Compare before and after software (refer to 6.11B)

Addition, Modification, Deletion of Active Field Devices

System Modifications
Control Unit and Transponder additions
Verify the Control Unit or Transponder and all the connected Devices

Replacement of a Control Unit and Transponder

Verify in accordance with Section 4 for Control Units and Transponders All existing Devices to be tested in accordance with CAN/ULCS536

Module Replacement
Verified for its intended function

System Modifications
Software Modifications
Re-verify all system functions affected by the modification accept the wiring supervision OR Comparison Software utilizing mediums such as a printout or a compare program

Fire Alarm System Monitoring

5.15.1 (CAN/ULC-S524) - The interconnection wiring from the fire alarm control unit or transponder to the fire signal receiving centre shall comply with CAN/ULC-S561, Installation and Services for Fire Signal Receiving Centres and Systems. CAN/ULC-S537-04 Appendix C2 (G)
Documentation to include the name and number of the Fire Signal Receiving Centre (CAN/ULC-S561)

Qualified Personnel
Qualified Personnel Appendix A
Must be knowledgeable about this Standard

Acceptable to the AHJ

CFAA Certified or ECAO

Knowledgeable about the Fire Alarm System

Standard CAN/ULC-S561-03
Compliance to the OBC and OFC

Course Title: Rev Date

Fire/Sprinkler Alarm Monitoring

Ontario

Course Title: Rev Date

Mandated in Ontario Signals to the Fire Department

ONTARIO Ontario Building Code - 3.2.4.7 (4) Ontario Fire Code - 6.3.1.2, (2b) & (4) (CAN/ULC-S561)

CAN/ULC-S561-03 Signals to the Fire Department

New Buildings - OBC Existing Buildings OFC

CAN/ULC-S561-03 Contractors
Shall Comply to OBC Signals to the Fire Department by way of Fire Alarm Monitoring System in Compliance to CAN/ULC-S561-03 or NFPA 71 (Ontario). Shall provide a Certificate of Compliance attesting that the fire alarm monitoring system is in compliance to the applicable Standard. Submit document to AHJ Usually done by the electrical contractor sub-contracting the installation of the fire alarm transmitter and the connection with fire signal receiving centre.

CAN/ULC-S561-03 Property Managers

Shall Comply to NFC/OFC Signals to the Fire Department by way of Fire Alarm Monitoring System in Compliance to CAN/ULC-S561-03 or NFPA 71 (Ontario). Shall provide a Certificate of Compliance attesting that the fire alarm monitoring system is in compliance to the applicable Standard. Submit document to AHJ Usually done by a ULC Listed Fire Alarm Monitoring/ Installation Company

-Communications Systems Clause 10

Methods of Communications: Passive or Active Maximum Time to receive a fire alarm signal from a protected premises 60 seconds A communication system shall be continuously supervised to detect line faults
Course Title: Rev Date

Protected Premises
Section 9

Course Title: Rev Date

Proper Certified Installation

Signaling Services Clause 9.4

Fire Alarm Control Units:
Alarm, troubles and Supervisory Signals Restoration Power failure conditions Restoration Alarm Signal shall be transmitted regardless of an abnormal condition at the protected premises. Fire Alarm Signal shall always be the highest priority Integral communication devices in fire alarm panels shall be programmed to transmit alarm, trouble & supervisory conditions.

Disposition of Signals Clause 9.4.4

Fire Alarm Signals from a Fire Panel or Extinguishing System:
Contact fire department within 30 seconds Contact persons designated by the owner within 5 minutes

ULC Certificate Program

Course Title: Rev Date

What ULC Inspectors Look for?

ULC Listed Transmitter Incoming power hardwired Transformer enclosed All wiring between fire alarm transmitter and the connected devices shall be in metal conduit Separate breaker (new installations) 24 hour standby power (batteries) Wiring is supervised

Certificate Requirements
Installation company is ULC Listed Monitoring Company is ULC Listed Contracts between the customer and Alarm Service (installation) Company Contracts Between the Alarm Service company and the monitoring company
Full Service companies excluded

Regular Testing of System (ULC-S561) ULC Certificate posted on-site

What Does a Certificate Mean?

Installation meets CAN/ULC-S561-03 Equipment meets National Standards Monitored by ULC Listed Receiving Centre that meets CAN/ULC-S561-03 Care Contract in Place for Service and Test ULC will randomly audit premises

ULC Certificate

Improper Installation
The Unknown?
What you get when no one Polices system installations!

Improper Installation

Improper Installation

Improper Installation

Improper Installation

ULC Certificate Program

For CAN/ULC-S561-03 Compliant Systems, ULC can issue a Certificate stating Compliance to the StandardMeets OBC & OFC The ULC Certificate is the only proof that the entire fire alarm monitoring system is compliant Each site is issued a certificate is subject to a random audit

Benefits of the ULC Certificate

Extra Set of Eyes and Ears
Allows for a quicker inspection by Building and Fire Officials Confidence in the Fire Alarm Monitoring System meets all the requirements of CAN/ULC-S561-03 Systems are audited on a random basis Non-compliant systems can result in the cancellation of the ULC Certificate

Who can issue a ULC Certificate?

Full Service Monitoring Station
Installation and monitoring Same company

Shared Service Monitoring Station with Installation Company

Two different companies

Questions

CAN/ULC-S561-03
THANK YOU Contact Information
Alan Cavers, Area Manager, Fire & Security Systems Group, Underwriters Laboratories of Canada Phone- 1-416-697-6762 E-mail alan.n.cavers@ca.ul.com

Protected Premises

Improper Installation

Improper Installation