Fire alarm and detection systems

(1)Except as permitted by Sentence (3), a fire alarm system shall be designed so that when an alarm signal is actuated, it cannot be silenced automatically before a period of time has elapsed that is not less than

(a)5 min for a building not required to be equipped with an annunciator, and

(b)20 min for any other building.

(2)Except as permitted by Sentences 3.2.4.18.(8) and Sentences 3.2.4.22.(2) and (3), a fire alarm system shall not incorporate manual silencing switches other than those installed inside the fire alarm control unit. (See Note A-3.2.4.6.(2))

(3)Except as provided by Clause 3.2.4.22.(3)(a), in a care and treatment occupancy an alert signal is permitted to be silenced automatically after 1 min.

(1)Fire detectors required by this Code shall be connected to the fire alarm system.

(2)Except as permitted by Sentence (3), if a fire alarm system is required in a building that is not sprinklered, fire detectors shall be installed in the following spaces:

(a)storage rooms not within dwelling units,

(b)service rooms not within dwelling units,

(c)janitors' rooms,

(d)rooms in which hazardous substances are to be used or stored, (See Note A-3.3.1.2.(1)),

(e)elevator hoistways or dumbwaiter shafts,

(f)laundry rooms in buildings of residential occupancy, but not those within dwelling units, and

(g)hazardous classrooms and change rooms in elementary or secondary schools.

(3)Fire detectors required by Sentence (2) need not be provided within floor areas that are sprinklered.

(4)Fire detectors required by Sentence (2) shall be installed in elevator hoistways and dumbwaiter shafts where a sprinkler system is not installed within the hoistway or shaft.

(1)If a fire alarm system is installed, smoke detectors shall be installed in

(a)each sleeping room and each corridor serving as part of a means of egress from sleeping rooms in portions of a building classified as Group B major occupancy,

(b)each room in a contained use area and corridors serving those rooms,

(c)each corridor in portions of a building classified as Group A, Division 1 major occupancy,

(d)each public corridor in portions of a building classified as Group C major occupancy,

(e)each exit stair shaft, other than those serving only a Group A, Division 4 major occupancy or an open storage garage.

(f)the vicinity of draft stops required by Article 3.2.8.6.,

(g)each elevator machine room, and

(h)each corridor serving classrooms in elementary and secondary schools.(See Note A-3.2.4.11.(1))

(2)In a floor area containing a hotel, where a fire alarm system is installed and the floor area is not sprinklered, heat detectors shall be installed in every room in a suite and in every room not located in a suite other than washrooms within a suite, saunas, refrigerated areas and swimming pools.

(3)Smoke detectors required in sleeping rooms of a care, care and treatment or detention occupancy shall, upon actuation, provide an audible and visible signal to staff serving those rooms so that the room or location containing the smoke detector can be easily identified. (See Note A-3.2.4.11.(3))

(4)Smoke detectors required in Clause (1)(g) shall, upon actuation, recall the elevators served by the elevator machine room in which the smoke detector is installed.

(5)Except as permitted in Sentences (6) and (7), smoke detectors installed in buildings required to be equipped with a fire alarm system shall be located near the entrance to walkways described in Articles 3.2.3.19. and 3.2.3.20. or vestibules provided in conformance with Article 3.2.6.3.

(6)Smoke detectors installed at the entrance to the walkways in conformance with Article 3.1.8.14. shall be deemed to meet the requirements of Sentence (5).

(7)Smoke detectors required by Sentence (5) may be replaced with fire detectors in Group F occupancies where the smoke detectors may be subjected to false alarms due to the activities within the building.

(1)If a fire alarm system is installed, an air-handling system shall be designed to prevent the circulation of smoke upon a signal from a duct-type smoke detector if the air handling system

(a)serves more than one storey,

(b)serves more than one suite in a storey,

(c)serves more than one fire compartment required by Sentence 3.3.3.5.(2) or Sentence 3.3.4.11.(2), or

(d)is not provided with fire dampers as permitted by Sentence 3.1.8.8.(4).

(1)Except as permitted by Sentences (2) and (3), where a fire alarm system is installed, a manual station shall be installed in every floor area near

(a)every principal entrance to the building, and

(b)every exit. (See Note A-3.2.4.16.(1))

(2)In a building that is sprinklered throughout, a manual station is not required at an exterior egress doorway from a suite that does not lead to an interior shared means of egress in a hotel not more than 3 storeys in building height, provided each suite is served by an exterior exit facility leading directly to ground level.

(3)In a building that is sprinklered throughout, a manual station is not required at an exterior egress doorway from a dwelling unit that does not lead to an interior shared means of egress in a building not more than 3 storeys in building height containing only dwelling units, provided each dwelling unit is served by an exterior exit facility leading directly to ground level.

(4)In a building referred to in Sentence (2) or (3), manual stations shall be installed near doorways leading from shared interior corridors to the exterior.

(5)Where a fire alarm system is installed, a manually operated fire alarm station shall be installed on the roof at each exit from a helicopter landing area.

(6)In a building containing a hotel, a manual station shall be installed in the main reception area serving the hotel.

(7)Except as permitted by Sentence (3), in Group C apartment buildings other than retirement homes, if a manual station is not installed on a floor area in accordance with Sentence (1) or (4),

(a)a manual station shall be installed in every dwelling unit in the floor area near each egress door leading from the dwelling unit,

(b)smoke detectors shall be installed in the floor area in public corridors and stairwells, and

(c)fire detectors shall be installed in the floor area in all common public areas and in rooms not located within dwelling units.

(8)In floor areas where the manual stations are located in dwelling units, a legible sign stating fire alarm manual stations located in apartment units shall be posted near every exit in a public corridor.

(9)Key switch activated manual stations are permitted in an impeded egress zone and a contained use area in Group B, Division 1 and 2 occupancies.

(1)Except as permitted by Sentence 3.2.4.19.(2) and except as required by Clause 3.2.4.4.(2)(d), audible signal devices forming part of a fire alarm system shall be installed in a building so that

(a)alarm signals are clearly audible throughout the floor area, and

(b)alert signals are clearly audible in continuously staffed locations, and where there are no continuously staffed locations, throughout the floor area. (See Note A-3.2.4.18.(1))

(2)The sound pattern of an alarm signal shall conform to the temporal pattern defined in Clause 4.2 of ISO 8201, "Acoustics Audible emergency evacuation signal." (See Note A-3.2.4.18.(2))

(3)The sound patterns of alert signals shall be significantly different from the temporal patterns of alarm signals. (See Note A-3.2.4.18.(3))

(4)In all normally occupied spaces, the fire alarm signal sound pressure level

(a)shall be not more than 110 dBA when measured at a distance of 3 m from the device, or

(b)is permitted to be more than 100 dBA provided the sound pressure level measured 2,000 mm above floor level is not more than 100 dBA. (See Note A-3.2.4.18.(4))

(5)The sound pressure level in a sleeping room from a fire alarm audible signal device shall be not less than 75 dBA in a building of residential occupancy when any intervening doors between the device and the sleeping room are closed. (See Note A-3.2.4.18.(5))

(6)Audible signal devices in sleeping rooms in a building of residential or care occupancy shall emit a low frequency signal. (See Note A-3.2.4.18.(6))

(7)Except as required by Sentence (5), the sound pressure level from a fire alarm system's audible signal device within a floor area shall be not less than 10 dBA above the ambient noise level and not less than 65 dBA, when any intervening doors between the device and the rest of the floor area are closed.

(8)Except as permitted by Sentence (12), audible signal devices located within a dwelling unit shall include a means for them to be manually silenced for a period of not more than 10 min, after which time the devices shall restore themselves to normal operation. (See Note A-3.2.4.18.(8))

(9)Audible signal devices within a dwelling unit or a suite of residential occupancy shall be connected to the fire alarm system

(a)in a manner such that a single open circuit at one device will not impair the operation of other audible signal devices on that same circuit that serve the other dwelling units or suites of residential occupancy, or

(b)on separate signal circuits that are not connected to the devices in any other dwelling unit, public corridor or suite of residential occupancy. (See Note A-3.2.4.18.(9) and (10))

(10)In a building or part thereof classified as a residential occupancy,

(a)separate circuits shall be provided for audible signal devices on each floor area, and

(b)audible signal devices within dwelling units or suites of residential occupancy shall be wired on separate signal circuits from those not within suites of residential occupancy or dwelling units. (See Note A-3.2.4.18.(9) and (10))

(11)Audible signal devices shall be installed in a service space referred to in Sentence 3.2.1.1.(8) and shall be connected to the fire alarm system.

(12)Audible signal devices within dwelling units that are wired on separate signal circuits in accordance with Clause (10)(b) need not include a means for manual signal silencing as required by Sentence (8), provided the fire alarm system includes a provision for the automatic signal silence within dwelling units, where

(a)the automatic signal silence cannot occur within the first 60 s of operation or within the zone of initiation,

(b)a subsequent alarm elsewhere in the building will reactuate the silenced audible signal devices within dwelling units,

(c)after a period of not more than 10 min, the silenced audible signal devices will be restored to continuous audible signal if the alarm is not acknowledged, and

(d)the voice communication systems referred to in Article 3.2.4.22. and 3.2.4.23. has a provision to override the automatic signal silence to allow the transmission of voice messages through silenced audible signal device circuits that serve the dwelling units. (See Note A-3.2.4.18.(12))

(13)If a 2-stage fire alarm system has been installed with an automatic signal silence as described in Sentence (12), the system shall be designed so that any silenced audible signal devices serving dwelling units are reactuated whenever an alarm signal is required to be transmitted as part of the second stage. (See Note A-3.2.4.18.(8))

(1)Except as permitted by Sentence (4), where a fire alarm system is installed, visible signal devices shall be installed in addition to alarm signal devices

(a)in a building or portions thereof intended for use primarily by persons with a hearing impairment,

(b)in assembly occupancies in which music and other sounds associated with performances could exceed 100 dBA,

(c)in any floor area in which the ambient noise level is more than 87 dBA,

(d)in any floor area in which the occupants

(i)use ear protection devices,

(ii)are located in an audiometric booth, or

(iii)are located in sound-insulating enclosures,

(e)in public corridors serving a Group A, B, C, D or E major occupancy,

(f)in a corridor used by the public and in a floor area or part of a floor area where the public may congregate in a Group A occupancy,

(g)in not less than 10% of the suites of a hotel or motel, (See Note A-3.2.4.19.(1)(g))

(h)in washrooms for public use described in Sentence 3.8.2.3.(2), (3), (4) or (6), and

(i)in living spaces in a suite of residential occupancy in a Group C major occupancy apartment building.

(2)Visible signal devices are permitted to be installed in lieu of audible signal devices in the compartments referred to in Article 3.3.3.6. (See Note A-3.2.4.19.(2))

(3)Visible signal devices required by Sentence (1) shall be installed so that the signal from at least one device is visible throughout the floor area or portion thereof in which they are installed. (See Note A-3.2.4.19.(3))

(4)Visible signal devices required by Clauses (1)(e) and (f) are not required in

(a)a classroom, and

(b)a Group B, Division 3 occupancy that contains sleeping accommodation for not more than 10 persons and not more than six occupants require assistance in evacuation in case of an emergency.

(1)Except as provided in Article 3.2.4.21., smoke alarms shall be installed in accordance with this Article.

(2)Except as permitted by Sentence (10), smoke alarms conforming to CAN/ULC-S531, "Standard for Smoke Alarms," shall be installed in each dwelling unit and, except for care, care and treatment or detention occupancies required to have a fire alarm system, in each sleeping room not within a dwelling unit.

(3)At least one smoke alarm shall be installed on each storey and mezzanine of a dwelling unit.

(4)On any storey of a dwelling unit containing sleeping rooms, a smoke alarm shall be installed

(a)in each sleeping room, and

(b)in a location between the sleeping rooms and the remainder of the storey, and if the sleeping rooms are served by a hallway, the smoke alarm shall be located in the hallway.

(5)Reserved.

(6)A smoke alarm shall be installed on or near the ceiling.

(7)Reserved.

(8)Reserved.

(9)Except as permitted by Sentence (10), smoke alarms referred in Sentence (2) shall

(a)be installed with permanent connections to an electrical circuit,

(b)have no disconnect switch between the overcurrent device and the smoke alarm, and

(c)in case the regular power supply to the smoke alarm is interrupted, be provided with a battery as an alternative power source that can continue to provide power to the smoke alarm for a period of not less than 7 days in the normal condition, followed by 4 minutes of alarm. (See Note A-3.2.4.20.(9))

(10)Suites of residential occupancy are permitted to be equipped with smoke detectors in lieu of smoke alarms, provided the smoke detectors

(a)are capable of independently sounding audible signals with a sound pressure level between 75 dBA and 110 dBA within the individual suites, (See also Note A-3.2.4.18.(4))

(b)except as permitted by Sentence (11), are installed in conformance with CAN/ULC-S524, "Standard for the Installation of Fire Alarm Systems," and verified in conformance with CAN/ULC-S537, "Standard for the Verification of Fire Alarm Systems,"

(c)form part of the fire alarm system, and

(d)are equipped with visual signalling components that meet the requirements of Sentences (17) to (19). (See Note A-3.2.4.20.(10))

(11)Smoke detectors permitted to be installed in lieu of smoke alarms as stated in Sentence (10) are permitted to sound localized alarms within individual suites, and need not sound an alarm throughout the rest of the building.

(12)If more than one smoke alarm is required in a dwelling unit, the smoke alarms shall be interconnected so that the actuation of one smoke alarm will cause all smoke alarms within the dwelling unit to sound.

(13)A smoke alarm required by Sentence (2) shall be installed in conformance with CAN/ULC-S553, "Standard for Installation of Smoke Alarms."

(14)Except as permitted in Sentence (15), a manually operated silencing device shall be incorporated within the circuitry of a smoke alarm installed in a dwelling unit so that it will silence the signal emitted by the smoke alarm for a period of not more than 10 min, after which the smoke alarm will reset and again sound the alarm if the level of smoke in the vicinity is sufficient to reactuate the smoke alarm.

(15)Suites of residential occupancy equipped with smoke detectors installed in conformance with CAN/ULC-S524, "Standard for Installation of Fire Alarm Systems," as part of the fire alarm system in lieu of smoke alarms as permitted by Sentence (10), need not incorporate the manually operated silencing device required by Sentence (14). (See Note A-3.2.4.20.(10))

(16)The sound patterns of smoke alarms shall

(a)meet the temporal patterns of alarm signals, or (See Note A-3.2.4.18.(2))

(b)be a combination of temporal pattern and voice relay.

(17)Smoke alarms required by Sentence (2) shall have a visual signalling component conforming to the requirements in 18.5.3. (Light, Color and Pulse Characteristics) of NFPA 72, "National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code." (See Note A-3.2.4.20.(17))

(18)The visual signalling component required by Sentence (17) need not

(a)be integrated with the smoke alarm provided it is interconnected to it,

(b)be on battery backup, or

(c)have synchronized flash rates, when installed in a dwelling unit.

(19)The luminous intensity for visual signalling components required by Sentence (17) that are installed in sleeping rooms shall be a minimum of 175 cd.

(20)Smoke alarms required in suites in a retirement home or smoke detectors permitted to be installed in lieu of smoke alarms as provided in Sentence (10) shall upon actuation provide an audible and visual signal to staff serving those suites, so that the suite containing the actuated smoke alarm or smoke detector can be easily identified.

(1)Except where a fire alarm system is installed or required in a building, smoke detectors forming part of a residential fire warning system installed in conformance with CAN/ULC-S540, "Standard for Residential Fire and Life Safety Warning Systems: Installation, Inspection, Testing and Maintenance," are permitted to be installed in lieu of all smoke alarms required by Article 3.2.4.20., provided that the system is

(a)capable of sounding audible signals in accordance with Sentences 3.2.4.20.(12) and (16),

(b)provided with a visual signalling component in accordance with Sentences 3.2.4.22.(17) to (19),

(c)powered in accordance with Sentence 3.2.4.20.(9), and

(d)provided with a silencing device in accordance with Sentences 3.2.4.20.(14) and (15).

(1)A voice communication system required by Subsection 3.2.6., Clause 3.3.2.4.(14)(f) or Sentence 3.3.4.11.(12) shall

(a)consist of a two-way means of communication with the central alarm and control facility and to the mechanical control centre from each floor area, and

(b)be capable of broadcasting pre-recorded, synthesized or live messages from the central alarm and control facility that are audible and intelligible in all parts of the building, except elevator cars. (See Note A-3.2.4.22.(1)(b))

(2)The voice communication system referred to in Sentence (1) shall include a means to silence the alarm signal in a single-stage fire alarm system while voice instructions are being transmitted, but only after the alarm signal has initially sounded for not less than 30 s.

(3)The voice communication system referred to in Sentence (1) shall include a means to silence the alert signal and the alarm signal in a 2-stage fire alarm system while voice instructions are being transmitted, but only after the alert signal has initially sounded for not less than

(a)10 s in hospitals that have supervisory personnel on duty for twenty-four hours each day, or

(b)30 s for all other occupancies.

(4)The voice communication system referred to in Clause (1)(b) shall be designed so that the alarm signal in a 2-stage fire alarm system can be selectively transmitted to any zone or zones while maintaining an alert signal or selectively transmitting voice instructions to any other zone or zones in the building.

(5)The 2-way communication system referred to in Clause (1)(a) shall be installed so that emergency telephones are located in each floor area near exit stair shafts.

(6)Visible signal devices required by Sentence 3.2.4.19.(1) shall continue to emit a visible signal while voice instructions are being transmitted.

(7)Where the facility is not equipped with staff trained to provide instructions over the loudspeakers, a pre-recorded message shall be provided.

(1)Except for Group B, Division 1 and Group F, Division 1 major occupancies, where a fire alarm system is required under Subsection 3.2.4., a one-way voice communication system shall be installed in buildings where a 2-stage fire alarm system is installed and whose occupant load exceeds 1,000.

(2)The one-way voice communication system required by Sentence (1) shall consist of loudspeakers that are

(a)operated from the central alarm and control facility or, in the absence of a central alarm and control facility, from a designated area, and

(b)except in elevator cars, designed and located so that transmitted messages are audible and intelligible in all parts of the building. (See Note A-3.2.4.22.(1)(b))

(3)Where the facility is not equipped with staff trained to provide instructions over the loudspeakers, a pre-recorded message shall be provided.

(4)The voice communication system required by Sentence (1) shall meet the silencing and transmission requirements of Sentences 3.2.4.22.(2) to (4) and (6).