Fire Signal Receiving Centres
vs.
Proprietary Fire Signal Receiving Centres
CAN/ULC-S561
ALAN CAVERS
ULC
Reliable Fire Alarm Monitoring
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Why is it important?
Codes and Standards?
What is a fire alarm monitoring ?
Signal Receiving Centre vs. Proprietary
Installation of a Fire Alarm monitoring system?
Periodic Testing of these Systems?
CAN/ULC-S561
• Fire Signal Receiving Centre
Why is Important?
• Installed Systems must meet the intent of the
Code.
• Signals to the Fire Signal Receiving Centre in a
uniform way.
• Disposition of Signals to the responding authority.
• Understanding the AHJ requests for compliant
systems.
CAN/ULC-S561
• This Standard covers the:
• Construction, operation, installation, inspection and tests
applicable to fire signal receiving centres for fire
protective signalling services utilizing fire signal receiving
centre facilities and satellite centres and bridging
centres;
• Construction and operation of a proprietary fire signal
receiving centre; and
• Installation, inspection and tests applicable to a fire
signal transmitting unit and its field device inputs at the
protected premises.
Definitions
• SIGNAL RECEIVING CENTRE —
• A facility that receives alarm signals and at which trained
personnel and service persons are on duty at all times.
• PROPRIETARY FIRE SIGNAL RECEIVING CENTRE —
A facility, operated by the owner of the protected premises in
which services encompassed in this Standard are monitored
at all times by trained personnel.
Codes and Standards
Signals to the Fire Department
• New Buildings - NBC/OBC
• Existing Buildings –NBC/OFC
Occupancy
Single Stage Fire Alarm System
– Group A -Assembly Occupancy - >300
– Group B Occupancy – Care or Detention Facility
– Group F Division 1 – High Hazard
– Fire Alarm System with Water-flow devices
Two Stage Fire Alarm System – Alert stage
Codes and Standards
Mandated in Canada
• National Building Code
- 3.2.4.7 (4) (CAN/ULC-S561)
• National Fire Code
- 6.3.1.3 (CAN/ULC-S561)
Fire Alarm Monitoring
• NBC 3.2.4.5 (1) CAN/ULC-S524-06
• NBC 3.2.4.5.(2) CAN/ULC-S537-04
• NBC 3.2.4.7 (4) CAN/ULC-S561- 03
• NFC 6.3.1.3. CAN/ULC-S536-04
• NFC 6.3.1.3 CAN/ULC-S561-03
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.
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CAN/ULC-S537-04 Appendix C2 (G)
– Documentation to include the name and number of the
Fire Signal Receiving Centre (CAN/ULC-S561)
– Latest Edition of CAN/ULC-S537-13 has expanded this
section- more importance on fire monitoring
• Extension of the Fire Alarm System
Fire Monitoring System
• What is a fire monitoring system?
– Fire alarm system or sprinkler riser connected
to a fire alarm transmitter for the purposes of
transmitting fire alarm conditions from the
protected property to a fire signal receiving
centre in order to dispatch the correct
responding authorities.
Compliant System
Compliant System
Protected Premise
Transmitter
Fire Alarm Panel
Sprinkler Riser
Communication Path
Active or Passive
Multiplex,Internet
DACT c/w Cell
Fire Signal Receiving
Centre
Receiving Units
Sufficient Staff
What is a Fire Signal Receiving Centre?
• A facility that receives alarm signals and at
which trained persons are on duty at all times.
• Consists of the following:
– Facility with 2hr. Fire rating
– Signal receivers, station automation computer
– Dedicated Power Source
– Back-up systems- Telephone, generator, UPS
What is a Fire Signal Receiving Centre?
• Consists of the following cont’d:
– Security Vestibule- Interlocked Doors
– CCTV Camera System and intercom
– Early warning fire protection system
– Fire Extinguishers
– Buddy System
– Trained staff to handle and dispatch alarms-24/7
– Contingency Plan – unforeseen disasters
Signals to the Fire Signal Receiving
Centre
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Fire Alarm
Fire Trouble
Fire Supervisory
AC Fail
Communication Failures
Proprietary Signal Receiving Centre
• PROPRIETARY FIRE SIGNAL RECEIVING CENTRE
A facility, operated by the owner of the protected
premises in which services encompassed in this
Standard are monitored at all times by trained
personnel.
• Owner monitors and maintain its own
premises.
– Universities, hospitals, Walmart, Target
Proprietary Signal Receiving Centre
• 2 hour fire separation .
– Exception- 1 hour if the building is sprinklered.
• Single locked door
• Owner will provide Staffing 24/7
• Owner usually provides installation and
maintenance on the protected premises.
• Owner usually provides a runner service.
Proprietary Signal Receiving Centre
• Installations at the protected buildings can be
proprietary fire alarm equipment.
OR
• Off the shelf fire alarm transmitters.
Installations
Installations
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Transmitter- S559/S527 Compliant
Manufacturer’s Installation Instructions.
Communication Channels
Metallic raceway for interconnecting wires
Supervision of circuits
Installed as per CAN/ULC-S561
Tested prior to occupancy.
Newer Installation- Passive
New Installation- S561 Compliant
Communication Systems
• 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
• Passive Systems – Communication Path tested
ever 24hrs.
Installations
Standalone Sprinkler Risers
Trimmed Sprinkler
Standalone Sprinkler Risers
• Waterflow
• Fire Trouble
• Fire Supervisory (pressure and gate valves)
Periodic Testing
Periodic Testing
• Fire Alarm System
- Annually
• Waterflow
– Every two months
• Supervisory- Gate Valves, Pressure
- Every Six months
Accuracy of Signals
• All installed fire monitoring systems shall
properly program to transmit accurate signals
to the FSRC in order that the operators can
quickly dispatch responding authorities.
• Fire Alarm = Fire Alarm
• Fire Trouble = Fire Trouble
• Fire Supervisory = Fire Supervisory
• No conflicting signals . (ie Burglar alarm)
Accuracy Continued
• Updated Contact Lists
• Proper Fire Department Phone Numbers
• No verification of fire alarm signals.
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
Disposition of Signals Cont’d
• Fire Trouble and Supervisory
• Communication Troubles
• Signal Transmitting Unit Troubles
- Contact Owner within 5 min.
- Dispatch service within 4hrs.
CAN/ULC-S561-03
AHJ’s, Property Managers and Alarm Companies
• Shall Comply to the OBC/ OFC – Signals to the Fire
Department by way of Fire Alarm Monitoring System in
Compliance to CAN/ULC-S561-03.
• 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
Documentation
ULC Protective Signaling System Certificate
ULC Certificate
Fire Monitoring- Conclusion
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Meet the Intent of the OBC/OFC/ S561
Fire Monitoring systems are not just the FSRC.
Install the proper transmitter .
Follow the Manufacturer’s Installation
Instructions.
Utilize the proper communication path.
ULC Listed Fire Signal Receiving Centre.
Disposition all signals as per CAN/ULC-S561.
Periodic Testing.
ULC Listings
• WWW.ULC.CA- Online Directories
– Category Codes associated to ULC Listings
– DAYRC- CAN/ULC-S559-04 Equipment
– DAYYC- CAN/ULC-S561-04 – Shared Installation Co.
– DAYIC - CAN/ULC-S561-03 – Shared and Full Service Fire
Signal Receiving Centres
THANK YOU
Alan Cavers
Engineering Manager- ULC
alan.n.cavers@ul.com