We've extensively reviewed the annual testing requirements for stand-by batteries outlined in CAN/ULC-S536-04 here, yet I continue to stumble on systems in the Lower Mainland which fall short. This one (located in the District of West Vancouver) involves a Secutron system which was newly installed in 2007 and has been tested annually by the nice people at Voltech Fire Protection.

This system employs a single smoke detector on each floor and a remote annunciator mounted conspicuously above the building's mailboxes. I would have liked to have reviewed the verification report because there were several (what can only be termed) inconsistencies I noticed with the installation.

The current draw on the system in a supervisory condition is 216 mA. These are 4.5AH batteries. Even without applying the manufacturer suggested de-rating factor of 1.2, the supervisory current draw on the system alone (over twenty-four hours) works out to 5.18 Amps. Since the building boasts a generator, I suppose the usual "standard argument" will be put forward but for a few small niggling details. First, the generator is UNSUPERVISED by the fire alarm system and second, there simply is no onsite documentation that would support it being capable of delivering the twenty-four hour supervisory requirement stipulated by the Inspection Standard (and BC Building Code), let alone ring the bells for thirty minutes.

Voltech definitely deserves the honour of this Brickee!

More Burning Brick Nominations!