Application and Installation Requirements for
Electrically Connected Life Safety Systems – Facts and
Misconceptions
Ark Tsisserev, FEC, M.Sc., P. Eng
Date: June 3rd, 2016
Safety Codes Conference, Banff, Alberta.
Brief Summary
“This seminar covers provisions of the CE code,
Building Code, relevant CSA, NFPA and ULC
standards for application and installation
electrically connected life and fire safety
equipment such as fire alarm systems,
emergency generators, fire pumps, sprinkler
systems including heat tracing equipment,
transfer switches, smoke alarms, exit signs,
emergency lighting, electromagnetic locks, hold
open devices, elevators and protection of
conductors supplying this equipment against
exposure to fire.”
What?
Why?
How?
What?
1. Criteria for application,
installation, interconnection
and performance of
electrical equipment that is
specifically mandated by
the NBCC to function as life
and fire safety equipment
What Fire protection
requirements of the NBCC ARE
ALREADY IN THE CE CODE:
WHAT? (CONT’D)
A)
installation of conductors and
raceways (i.e. use of thermal
insulation, fire spread, flame spread,
protection of conductors against
exposure to fire, etc), and
WHAT? (CONT”D)
B)
Construction of electrical equipment
rooms and electrical equipment vaults
Why?
To assist electrical designers,
installers and regulators in a
consistent application of the CE
code requirements and the CE code
references on this subject.
Why? (Cont’d)
1.Design of such electrical equipment as fire alarm
systems, emergency generators, fire pumps, heat
tracing of sprinkler systems, smoke alarms,
emergency lighting, electrically connected exit
signs, hold open devices, electromagnetic locks,
smoke control and smoke venting equipment is
done by the electrical consultants, and it is
indicated on electrical plans and specifications.
Why? (Cont’d)
This design also includes provision for fire
stops around conductors and raceways,
selection of FT rating for conductors and
methods of conductor protection against
exposure to fire.
Why? (Cont’d)
2. Installation of such electrical equipment is
done by electrical contractors in accordance
with the design accepted by the AHJ.
Installation of such electrical equipment must
be done in conformance with the CE Code
and with applicable installation standards
such as:
WHY? (CONT’D)
ULC S524 (fire alarm systems)
CSA C282 (emergency generators)
NFPA 20 (fire pumps)
NFPA 13 (flow switches of a sprinkler system)
NBCC (all of the above equipment)
Why? (Cont’d)
This means that in addition to knowing
the CE Code requirements, electrical
contractors must clearly understand
provisions of specific codes and
standards that govern installation of life
and fire safety equipment
Why? (Cont’d)
3. Acceptance of such design and
installation is not always consistent, as
different AHJ’s may administer
requirements for application, installation
and operation of life safety systems,
requirements for fire stops around
conductors and raceways and
requirements for protection of conductors
supplying life safety systems against
exposure to fire.
How?
1. By applying Rule 2-128 of the CE Code
(2015 edition) regarding fire stops around
conductors and raceways that penetrate
fire rated assemblies.
2. By applying Rules 2-130 and 2-132 of
the CE Code regarding flame spread
requirements for conductors with
combustible jackets and for combustible
raceways.
How? (Cont’d)
3. by applying Rules 26-012 and 26-350 of
the CE Code regarding construction of
electrical equipment rooms and electrical
equipment vaults.
4. By applying Rule 32-200 of the CE
Code regarding protection of a fire pump
conductors against exposure to fire.
How? (Cont’d)
5. By using cross-references between
the CE Code rules and the NBCC
provisions (see a few examples of
Appendix G below)
How? (Cont’d)
Appendix G – Electrical installations of fire
protection systems
Note: This appendix is an informative
(non- mandatory) part of this
standard.
How? (Cont’d)
G1. Introduction
G1.1
This Appendix lists requirements related to
electrical installations that are not governed by
Rules of the Canadian Electrical Code, Part I,
but are required by the National Building Code
of Canada.
How? (Cont’d)
G1.2
References listed in this Appendix are
associated with electrical installations that are
a part of the fire protection requirements
contained in the National Building Code of
Canada.
How? (Cont’d)
G2.3
Provincial and municipal building codes may
alter the National Building Code of Canada, and
users of this list should also check those codes.
G3. Canadian Electrical Code reference
to the National Building Code of
Canada – 2010 Edition
CEC Sections NBCC Sections, wand Rules
sentences (unless otherwise stated, references
refer to Division B of the of the NBCC)
How? (Cont’d)
Section O Article 1.4.1.2 of
Division A of the NBCC
Definitions of words and
phrases
Article1.5.1.1 of
Division A of the NBCC
Application of the
referenced documents.
Code over referenced
documents
How? (Cont’d)
Table 1.3.1.2, Effective date and
edition of referenced documents
(e.g., NFPA 96, NFPA 20, NFPA 13,
CAN/ULC-S524, etc.)
How? (Cont’d)
Rule 2-122 of the CE Code – Article 3.8.5.7. of
the Building Code, Mounting height of electrical
controls in barrier-free areas
How? (Cont’d)
Rule 2-124 - 3.1.9.1.(1) and (2),
Fire stopping of service
penetrations through
fire-rated assemblies or
fire separations
How? (Cont’d)
Rule 2-124 - 3.1.9.3., Penetration of fire-rated
assemblies or fire separations
by wires, cables, boxes, and
raceways.
How? (Cont’d)
6. By using specific checklists or other
forms that capture requirements for
installation of life safety systems.
(See AES checklist below)
Components of a Typical Fire Alarm System
Fire alarm initiating
devices (input)
Control and processing
equipment (interface)
Signal devices (output)
smoke detector
CPU
audible signal device
heat detector
manual station
visual signage device
Annunciator
voice communication device
water flow device
ancillary devices:
CACF
elevator homing door; door
hold open devices;
electromagnetic locks;
smoke control equipment,
smoke venting equipment)
signal to fire department
Note: All fire alarm components that are mandated to be electrically
supervised (electrical supervision of wiring) are subjected to
verification.
Electrical Supervision Required by ULC S524
General:
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Electrical supervision of the wiring shall be provided to the following:
Manual Stations;
Fire Detectors;
Water flow devices for water based fire protection systems;
National Building Code of Canada required supervisory devices for water based fire protection systems;
Audible signal devices;
Visible signal devices;
Voice communication equipment;
Emergency telephone handsets;
Primary power supplies and emergency power supplies;
Power supplied to field devices;
Annunciators;
Display and control centre at the central alarm and control facility; and
Common fault indication from the engine driven generator, as required by
Clause 3.2.4.2.
Electrical Supervision of fire alarm systems
devices