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
3.2.4.5 (1) CAN/ULC-S524-06
OBC
3.2.4.5.(2) CAN/ULC-S537-04
OBC
3.2.4.7 (4) CAN/ULC-S561-03
OFC
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
owner’s 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
Addition, Modification, Deletion of Active Field Devices
•
•
•
•
All changes shall be verified
Operational test to be performed
Correct Sequence of operation
Compare before and after software (refer to 6.11B)
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