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Who's behind the Fire Technicians Network?
My name is Frank Kurz (yes, that’s me in the picture!). This is my 30th year in the fire prevention & alarm industries. I've done it all. Kitchen system installation & inspections (when I started in the business they still had dry chem systems - blechh-h), fire extinguisher recharges, hydro-testing, computer room Halon system installation & inspections, fire alarm service, inspection & verification, security system installations, inspections & service. I hold one of the lower "P" numbers in the Province of Alberta (0239). For the last sixteen years, I've been running a fire alarm service/verification company in Surrey, British Columbia. I sub out my services to electrical contractors and fire prevention companies where my expertise in CCTV, access control, apartment intercom gives them an advantage over single service companies. I've been on Vancouver's list of approved verification agencies since 2001. I've mentored a number of outstanding technicians in my day, and I'm grateful to all those individuals that have shared their knowledge with me as well. I'm always looking for ways to improve on what I do. I figure if I can help my fellow technicians at the same time, then it's a "win, win" situation. I've recently accepted an appointment to the ULC Standing Committees for CAN/ULC-S536 (Inspection Standard) and CAN/ULC-S537 (Verification Standard). I also Chair the "Working Groups" for both Standards. New versions of both are slated for release in the fall of 2012 (I understand they'll officially be known as CAN/ULC-S536-12 and CAN/ULC-S537-12 respectively). January 2012 marks my debut into the Working Group for CAN/ULC-S524 (Fire Alarm Installation Standard). I'm excited and honoured to serve on these important committees.
This website is an ongoing project of mine. There are no fire alarm manufacturers or other outside agencies involved here (either as sponsors or advertisers). My goal here is to improve the Standard of Practise by providing a one-stop unbiased resource for technicians engaged in the service, testing, and maintenance of fire protection and life safety equipment.
The information presented here may also be useful for those in the fire prevention community and local jurisdictional authorities. The Internet is a powerful tool and I intend to take full advantage of all it has to offer. One such tool is our new RSS Feed which will help you keep abreast of the latest news and developments. The technology to host webinars (online learning seminars) is also something I'm exploring.
Some of my fellow technicians both here in the Lower Mainland and elsewhere, have formed a somewhat "less than complimentary" (and that's putting it mildly) opinion of my efforts. I'm investing a great deal of my own time and financial resources into this project. I'm not here to “throw anyone under the bus” (as one individual suggested in the General Forum). I do want to raise awareness of how important the job of fire protection equipment technician is and to ensure we're all playing on a "level field" when it comes to skill set and knowledge. This also means raising the bar for inspections, testing, service, and installations. Some players in the industry will have to refocus their efforts for the better and if they succeed in doing so, then we will all win in the end. Those that continue to provide substandard, slipshod, or irresponsible service don't belong in this profession and good riddance to them (let's hope the door hits them on the ass on the way out).
Is changing the manufacturer supplied lock on a fire alarm panel legal?
Perfectly legal with but one proviso though. You better make darn sure a copy of the new key is available for the fire department to use, particularly if your system happens to include an Emergency Voice Communications System (EVCS). They will force the door if they can't open it because their key doesn't work in the lock.
If the secondary winding of a fire alarm EVCS speaker transformer goes open would the speaker still work?
Chances are no. In fact, if the wiring between the main input terminals and the primary wires going to the transformer taps goes "open", you won't receive a fault indication at the common control. If the wiring from the speaker to the transformer is similarly compromised, a trouble won't show up on common control. This is why it's imperative that you conduct monthly testing of the building's common area signalling devices. You can download the test form HERE. If you happen to manage an apartment or office building which employs EVCS speakers, it is imperative that you inform the tenants/occupants that they cannot tamper with the building's life safety equipment in any way!
Am I liable if dust in my apartment sets off the building's fire alarm?
This is an interesting question. Are tenants or owners responsible for adverse environmental conditions that could affect a fire alarm system? If so, where does the responsibility begin, and where does it end? I've witnessed many incidents where the tenants of a low or high-rise condominium will open their hallway doors to allow smoke from that turkey burning away in the oven to clear their suite. They're often heedless of the fact that this same smoke impinging on the hallway smoke detector immediately outside of their hall door might result in an activation of the building's fire alarm system. Should they be held responsible for what can only be termed a totally innocent mistake? I don't think so. In fact, I have a hard time calling such an incident a "mistake". Now, if during the course of attempting to clear the smoke from their suite's smoke ALARM (which just might be screeching away like a banshee), and they accidentally knock the centre disk of the adjacent heat detector off (or break the glass bulb in a sprinkler head), that's another matter entirely. In this instance, you should be held responsible and any resulting damage would be covered by your homeowner's liability insurance. This is why you should ensure you have adequate coverage when you purchase or rent a unit in an apartment building.
Is there a fine for pulling (manually initiating) a prank fire alarm?
Each province and local jurisidiction has formulated their own specific response to what's termed "vandalism" of a fire alarm or life safety system. The fines can vary from $500.00 to as much as $5000.00 and can also include a term of imprisonment for up to ninety (90) days. In addition, you may be liable to receive a fine (or official warning) if you deliberately silence or reset a fire alarm that has activated without receiving permission from the fire department.
Can you use the forms you can download from this site in other Canadian Provinces?
All our forms are based on current Canadian Standards. They are CAN/ULC-S536-04 (Inspection Standard for Fire Alarm Systems), and CAN/ULC-S537-04 (Verification Standard for Fire Alarm Systems). These standards clearly define the minimum acceptable testing criteria and provide the means to document those tests. What I've done is simply format the reports a little differently and add some key sections based on my experience and the frequent questions I get asked from various jurisdictional authorities. I DO NOT believe that anyone engaged in this profession should have to pay for forms although I understand that it's important to STANDARDIZE on a format to make it easy for a building owner (or fire prevention officer) to determine the exact level of protection that's available which will assist them in developing strategies to help improve a project's life safety systems. We are working with various levels of Government to promote our testing format. Don't be surprised when you're referred to this site to get your forms!
Can you use a cable jack for Shaw Digital Phone?
This relates somewhat to an open TIP we posted regarding fire alarm communicators. Shaw's digital telephone service (as with Rogers "back East") utilizes bandwidth on their cable television signal. When you order the service, the Shaw/Rogers technician will install a specialized cable modem which he will connect to a cable outlet that is convenient to the main telephone drop. This makes it easy to facilitate connection of all the phone jacks in the premises. Any cable outlet will do. Can you move the service to another location? Yes as long as it's on the same provider's backbone (Shaw modem to Shaw outlet, Rogers modem to Rogers outlet).
NOTE: You should be aware that there is limited phone service available in the event of an extended power failure. The onboard battery (within the cable modem) is only designed to provide backup for a period of four to six hours. If you're using this method as a means to facilitate communication between a fire alarm system and a central monitoring facility, you will NOT meet the code requirement for stand-by capacity. Many jurisdictions will not accept VOIP service for this reason.
What guidance is available for the routine maintenance of fire protection systems? or Where can I find information regarding the required maintenance of building fire protection equipment?
Check out our Library (it's open to all)! The National Fire Code (in Canada) mandates testing and inspection of a building's life safety equipment at regular intervals. This, in turn, is adopted on a Provincial level. In British Columbia, a monthly inspection and test report is required to be completed. You can review this HERE!
What's the difference between a supervisory alarm and a trouble signal?
A "trouble" indication on a fire alarm system represents a problem that may adversely affect the operation of the system (as a whole). In most cases, this must be addressed by trained service personnel. Examples of a "trouble" signal are: AC power failure, battery trouble, ground fault, indicating circuit "open", signal circuit "short" or "open".
A "supervisory" signal is an "off normal" indication of a monitored device. In most cases this type of signal doesn't require the response of trained service personnel. Restoring the monitored device to "normal" and resetting the fire alarm system usually clears this type of indication. Examples would be: sprinkler "low air", sprinkler "low water", generator "trouble", fire pump "trouble", movement of a sprinkler valve handle, heat trace power failure (or common trouble), etc.
It is important to remember that a supervisory signal often triggers a relay in the fire alarm's common control that is separate from the "trouble" contact. You must ensure that any off-site monitoring connections take this into account.
Which floors (or areas) in a high-rise apartment building are required to have CO (Carbon Monoxide) detectors installed?
In addition to any enclosed underground parkade, the National Building Code of Canada (NBCC) Section 6.4.2 has mandated the installation of Carbon Monoxide detectors in any residential unit ( or apartment) that has a gas fired appliance or fire place. They have to be interconnected, AC Powered, installed inside the bedrooms as well as outside the bedrooms.
Can you be grandfathered to work on fire alarms?
Every once in a while I actually have try and figure out what the person that wrote a question like this in their Browser's search bar was actually thinking. To "work on fire alarms" could have several different meanings. In Canada, to INSTALL a fire alarm system you have to be a licensed and TQ'd electrician. To SERVICE and TEST a fire alarm system (in most Canadian jurisdictions) you have to be able to demonstrate to the local jurisdictional authority that you are competent, trained, and familiar with the testing requirements. Usually valid CFAA certification is all that's required, but it's best to check first. British Columbia (for instance) uses a different certification model from other provinces.
What does “annual in-suite fire alarm inspection” mean? What do you suggest I do to prepare? Can I refuse to have this done?
Every year (in Canada), Provincial and Territorial Fire Codes mandate that a building’s fire alarm system be tested to something called CAN/ULC-S536 (Canadian Standard for Annual Fire Alarm Testing). This means that EVERY device that forms part of your building’s fire alarm system must be tested to ensure it will function adequately in an emergency. If you rent an apartment, your Landlord will provide you with appropriate notification that entry to your unit is required to test the Smoke Alarms, fire alarm audible signal devices (usually a wall-mounted buzzer), and any system fire detectors. If you happen to own an apartment (or condominium) in a building with a fire alarm system, the devices I mentioned previously must still be tested. You cannot refuse access to your unit for this test as it is MANDATED by the Fire Code. To do so will result in a rather unpleasant visit from your local fire department who will ORDER you to comply with the requirements of the Code.
As I mentioned, many apartment tenants and owners are provided with written notification that access will be required. In order to expedite the testing, it might be prudent for you to leave your unit’s key with a neighbour or friend who will attend the premises and allow the testing agency access to complete the service if you anticipate you might not be home. If you have pets or young children that might be disturbed, or become anxious, by prolonged exposure to the noise that’s part of a system wide test, it is suggested that you remove them from the building entirely for the duration of the testing.
NOTE: If your building employs visual alarm signals (fire strobes), and you, or a loved one, have a nervous disorder (such as epilepsy), please ensure you take the appropriate precautions. It is extremely important, in this instance, that the buildings’ fire safety plan contains this information in the “Tenants Requiring Assistance” notice so that first responders are aware.
What is the correct use of a RED TAG?
This happens to be the subject of an ongoing discussion in our General Forum. The answer isn't as simple as the requirement stipulated in ASTTBC's Practice Guideline and the reason is that there are two inspection standards in Canada which ASTTBC has now been mandated with, the annual inspection standard (which is CAN/ULC-S536), and the verification standard (which is CAN/ULC-S537). Under the former, a RED TAG should be applied to any system that does not provide an adequate level of protection to the occupants and where the building owner has demonstrated reluctance (or has outright refused) to perform the necessary repairs the local fire department MUST be informed. The exact wording in the Practice Guideline published by ASTTBC is:
“For major deficiencies red tags shall be used by the FPT to indicate that the fire protection system or piece of equipment was serviced but does not provide the level of protection for which it was originally designed and installed or the system or piece of equipment has deficiencies that may cause it, during activation, not to operate in the manner to which it was intended.
A red tag shall be used to advise and alert the Owner and AHJ that, although the system has been serviced, there are deficiencies that remain on the system or piece of equipment. The tag shall be defaced using a large (preferably red) ‘X’ across the front and on the back. The FPT shall initiate notification to the Owner immediately of any deficiencies regarding the fire protection system(s) or piece of equipment.
When major deficiencies exist on the fire protection system(s) or piece of equipment or a combination of major deficiencies are identified by the FPT, and
• The Owner, after being advised by the FPT does not take appropriate action, and
• When in the FPT’s opinion the public is placed in imminent danger,the FPT shall initiate notification to the Local Assistant to the Fire Commissioner by telephone or in person and document that notification in writing.”
Examples of the type of deficiency that would merit immediate attention (or a RED TAG if the building owner refused the repair) would include a non-functional bell circuit, incorrectly terminated AC power, inadequately sized standby batteries, non-functional initiating devices (i.e. smoke detectors, manual stations, heat detectors, flow switches, etc.), a defective battery charger, use of non-cross listed smoke detectors, improperly labelled annunciator.
Under the verification standard however, a RED TAG isn't used on new installations because deficiencies must be corrected (usually by the installing electrical contractor) before a clear Appendix "C" (in some jurisdictions it's still referred to as an "A") can be issued. A RED TAG could be used on an existing system that exhibits violations where you are verifying an upgrade or addition. My "test" for use has always defaulted to the LIFE SAFETY aspect and when put in this context, I believe a RED TAG is the "safer choice".
How long is a RED TAG good for?
A RED TAG applied to any fire protection equipment is a clear indication that its function has been dangerously impaired (or that it may, in fact, not work at all). A RED TAG can only be removed if the equipment has been restored to a fully operational condition.
Can a City (or local municipal authority) RED TAG fire alarm wiring?
Most definitely, yes! If a wiring fault (or deficiency) is discovered during a routine "pre-cover" electrical inspection, it will have to be rectified by the electrical contractor and could be easily accomplished at this stage of the construction (before the wall-board is put up). If a wiring fault is discovered after the building's electrical permit has been "signed off", it will more than likely be expensive to fix (because wall and ceiling spaces/cavities will have to be re-accessed). The electrical contractor who performed the work will likely be "on the hook" for the repair under the terms of the warranty he must provide the building owner/primary contractor.
What's the correct procedure to use when testing a 347 volt battery pack (emergency light unit)?
NOTE: This question is featured on ASTTBC's latest "SUPPRESS" newsletter (issue #11). ASTTBC has our full permission for it's use.
This question stems from a discussion I had with another technician recently. WorkSafe BC (and similar organizations in a number of other jurisdictions) stipulate that you may NOT work on live circuitry above 250VAC without their express written consent. In BC, OHS (Occupational Health & Safety) Regulation Section 19.10 (3) states:
“Work must not be done on energized parts of electrical equipment associated with lighting circuits operating at more than 250 volts-to-ground without the prior written permission of the Board.”
What does this mean? Simple. You cannot work on a 347 volt pack while under power. You must use the circuit disconnecting means (turn OFF the circuit breaker) to initiate the standard thirty minute test. You should not attempt to disconnect one of the live leads as I've seen many techs do. This means you must identify those packs that are part of a 347 Volt circuit, and coordinate with building management to shut down power to those areas which are serviced by the equipment while testing or repair is underway. You may wish to review a bulletin issued by the Electrical Safety Authority in Ontario in December, 2009 located HERE.
What are the consequences of your not following this direction? Your employer may be held liable for any injuries you might suffer in which case WorkSafe BC may levy a very hefty fine. In addition, your claim for any injuries sustained could be adversely affected. The two important things to remember here is:
STAY SAFE! WORK SAFE!
Who can certify/test emergency light packs (in Vancouver)?
In the Lower Mainland, many communities (including Vancouver) have adopted by-laws which formally require ASTTBC Registered Fire Protection Technicians to service life safety equipment which happens to include emergency light packs. The current list of municipalities that require ASTTBC technicians can be reviewed HERE. For municipalities outside of the Lower Mainland (British Columbia), there is no formal certification for testing emergency lighting that we’re aware of. Please check with your local AHJ (Fire Department) who may be able to point you in the right direction in finding a qualified company. We review the testing procedure for emergency light packs in this FAQ.
I work for a national company as an HVAC technician in Vancouver, B.C. We do work for a cellular communications provider that has numerous cell sites on the tops of apartment buildings across the city. Along with the HVAC work, we are also to test the fire alarm systems in these shelters which are monitored by a central control centre in Ontario. I have three questions for you: 1) What kind of personal liability would I take on by performing this work without proper certification? 2) What kind of personal liability would I take on by performing this work with proper certification? 3) What courses are required to do this kind of inspection work in Vancouver?
NOTE: This question was originally posted to the CFAA website but wasn't answered correctly. We've decided to publish the correct answer here. CFAA's Webmaster was informed of the error on June 27th, 2009. The question was REMOVED from their website on September 2, 2010. You may be interested in reading my open letter to CFAA HERE which also happens to feature the answer that had been posted to their site for almost eight years!
To perform annual inspection work (to CAN/ULC-S536-04) on any fire alarm system in Vancouver, you're required to be ASTTBC certified in the FA (Fire Alarm) discipline and utilize the approved forms (more comprehensive, alternate forms can be downloaded from our site - located here). The Vancouver By-Law mandating ASTTBC certification has been in effect since 1996. ASTTBC's Practice Guideline should be reviewed as it clearly defines the issue of "liability" as it relates to your job. In order to obtain ASTTBC certification you are required to meet their registration criteria (also outlined in the above referenced Practice Guideline). The City of Vancouver requires any facility that receives/processes signals from listed fire alarm equipment to be ULC Listed for the purpose AND to be on their list of approved monitoring stations. To perform a Verification Inspection in the City of Vancouver you are required to be an Approved Agency (or individual) and you must follow the procedures established in Bulletin 2000-021-EL.
This question brings up another issue, however. In numerous installations of this type the "fire alarm system" amounts to nothing more than a communicator and connected smoke (or heat) detection devices, is usually installed without proper permits, and as a consequence has not been verified to CAN/ULC-S537-04. In many such installations there is NO PHYSICAL CONNECTION to the building's fire alarm system. This is a major concern as most alarms generated by these cell sites are transmitted to proprietary monitoring centres (as indicated in the original question) that are often NOT ULC Listed either. The typical "response" involves the dispatch of a service technician to "confirm" the alarm with NO NOTIFICATION to the building's occupants until this occurs. Should you pass such a system? NO!! (I would go so far as to suggest you read the FAQ involving RED TAGS!) Should an interconnection to the building's fire alarm system be provided? Most definitely (and in every instance), YES!
Can I be fired if I insist on testing a system in accordance with the Standard?
I think this question stems from some of the new annual inspection requirements in CAN/ULC-S536-04 which I've outlined in this FAQ. The sad truth is that you can be fired for any reason and at any time. Whether or not your employer is acting within the confines of either provincial or state laws is a matter for your local employment standards or labour relations bureau to determine. You have every right to request the reason for your dismissal be given to you in writing. Many provincial and state governments provide guidelines for employers with respect to terminating an employment contract. It's important for you to properly respond to every warning or disciplinary letter you receive so that you can document the chain of events that might lead to your dismissal. Needless to say, it would be extremely difficult for an employer to make a case for dismissing an employee that was following the requirements of an inspection standard or code in the course of their normal work day. This includes refusing to tag off on a system, component or equipment that you know to be installed or serviced incorrectly and for which your employer could be held liable to correct (even though a previous technician may have let it pass).
NOTE: I would be extremely interested if something like this happens to any fire protection equipment technician. Please call or email me with the details!
Is CFAA Certification required anywhere in British Columbia?
At the present time, there are several British Columbia jurisdictions (outside of the Lower Mainland) that may officially recognize CFAA certification for the purpose of testing/inspecting/servicing life safety equipment or fire alarm systems. Although the training courses (to obtain certification) are accepted by ASTTBC as part of the educational component of their formal registration requirements, many jurisdictions (particularly in the Lower Mainland) will only accept stamped tags from ASTTBC Registered Fire Protection Technicians (RFPT’s). If you’re CFAA certified, it’s best to check with your local fire department before you proceed with testing any equipment. You may also wish to explore obtaining the equivalent ASTTBC Registration. For more information about this, please visit their website!
What’s the correct way to test an emergency light unit?
Every emergency light pack in service today contains a self-regulated charger, a means to manually “test” the unit, and a battery pack that’s sized to the number of lamps it has to run for the given period of operation required by Code. The physical testing of an emergency light unit doesn’t start where you might think though. Many technicians first action involves unplugging the unit (or disconnecting power to it). What you should be doing first is OPEN YOUR EYES before you touch that pack or the power cord. If you’re performing the annual testing of a building, you’re going to walk through it and document the locations of all the life safety equipment, right?
Let’s examine the Code requirements for unit emergency lighting. BCBC 2006 3.2.7.3 is entitled “Emergency Lighting”:
“1) Emergency lighting shall be provided to an average level of illumination not less than 10 Lx at floor or tread level in
a) exits,
b) principal routes providing access to exit in open floor areas and in service rooms,
c) corridors used by the public,
d) corridors serving patients’ sleeping rooms,
e) corridors serving classrooms,
f) underground walkways,
g) public corridors,
h) floor areas or parts thereof where the public may congregate
i) in Group A, Division 1 occupancies, or
ii) in Group A, Division 2 and 3 occupancies having an occupant load of 60 or more,
i) floor areas or parts thereof of daycare centres where persons are cared for, and
j) food preparation areas in commercial kitchens.”
Before you actually “test” a pack, let’s make sure all of them are installed and positioned properly (this includes any remote heads located in places like stairway landings, corridor junctions, and service rooms). Many technicians get themselves in trouble right off the bat because their “test” is limited to the devices that are physically present. They frequently miss the opportunity to demonstrate they are the life safety professionals their employer thought they hired. Part 9 of the ASTTBC Practice Guideline is entitled Provision of Services and perfectly illustrates the correct attitude with which to approach every site you visit:
“Preparation.
The FPT should prepare by reviewing previous inspection, test and maintenance reports; familiarize themselves with the activities/occupancy of the site and prepare a list of items that may need to be investigated or reviewed; and ensure the necessary access to all parts of the building in which the fire protection equipment is installed.
Depending on the discipline, the FPT should observe all conditions in the building, which affect the proper and safe operation of the fire protection equipment and systems. This includes, but is not limited to…
• Fire separation doors and walls are in place and that they work properly;
• Proper location and accessibility to fire protection equipment;
• Any new occupancy, which could change the level of protection;
• New walls or separations that might have been constructed and for which fire protection equipment has not been properly installed;
• Obstructions to the fire protection equipment;
• Anything else that might affect the proper functioning of the fire protection systems or compromise public health and safety.”
Okay. Now that we’ve progressed through the previous annual test report and site review, let’s look at Section 3.2.7.4 of BCBC 2006. This Section is called “Emergency Power for Lighting” and reads:
“1) An emergency power supply shall be
a) provided to maintain the emergency lighting required by this Subsection from a power source such as batteries or generators that will continue to supply power in the event that the regular power supply to the building is interrupted, and
b) so designed and installed that upon failure of the regular power it will assume the electrical load automatically for a period of
i) 2 h for a building within the scope of Subsection 3.2.6.,
ii) 1 h for a building of Group B major occupancy classification that is not
within the scope of Subsection 3.2.6., and
iii) 30 min for a building of any other occupancy.
(See Appendix A.)”
The light pack itself is a pretty simple unit. It will have a label affixed to it identifying the input voltage, output voltage and it’s capacity (usually expressed in watts). If (on the input side, the unit is marked as being connected to 347 volts), you’ll have to adjust your physical test routine to compensate (please review this FAQ before you proceed!). Sometimes the pack will be equipped with a power cord that plugs in to an outlet normally positioned on the adjacent wall or ceiling (usually within a couple of feet of the unit). Examine the power cord and plug for cuts, abrasions, and cracks in the insulation. If the unit doesn’t have one, open the cover of the unit.
The AC supply is easily identifiable on most packs. The manufacturer’s colour code the output and battery connections differently (and usually the associated wiring is kept separated from the high-voltage by clips or tie-wraps). Look at the battery. How many lamps are connected to it? If it’s a straight 6 volt 36 watt pack, then the only ones connected to it should be mounted on the pack. Make sure! There will be a “replace battery by” date somewhere on the unit. I never actually go by that (the “best before” date on milk doesn’t mean it expires on the date indicated either), but it’s a good thing to check anyway because it’ll alert you to the possibility that the battery might not be able to power the lights for the required time mandated by code. A general “rule of thumb” I recommend is turf the sucker if it’s reached four years of age (and it’s a sealed lead-acid type battery). If the battery is “bulging” or showing obvious signs of distress (like cracked case or severely corroded terminals), don’t even bother to initiate the power off test. Replace the battery, and proceed to your charger inspection. If everything checks out and the unit functions correctly during the charger test cycle, then you won’t need to perform the full discharge test.
Let’s assume the battery looks fine (and is within the four years from the date code stamped on the battery or the “in service date”). Take your voltmeter and measure the charging voltage. For a 6 volt pack, it should be around 6.9 - 7.2 VDC, for a 12 volt pack it should read between 13.6 and 14.0 VDC. You can trim some chargers (on the older type packs) to fall within this range. On the newer ones, you’re only confirming that the required charging current is present. Exercise the “test” button or switch and observe the voltage drop. If it’s excessive (the voltage falls off rapidly), the pack is either overloaded or the battery is due for replacement. If every thing’s normal, then the battery will stabilize at some place close to its nominal voltage and all of the attached remote heads and exit lights should be “on” and bright. Take your clamp-on ammeter and place the negative lead from the battery in the clamp. Write down the current reading, multiply by the battery voltage and you’ll be able to determine the wattage being drawn from the pack. If it exceeds the capacity on the label, you can fail the unit immediately. If it’s within the rated wattage, you can now proceed to the power off test.
The power off test means you have to physically disconnect the AC power (wedging a piece of balled up tape in the test switch is NOT the proper way to do this!). Start your timer. Walk around and check each remote head and exit light that might be connected to the pack. At the end of the test period, observe the brightness of all the connected lamps. If they’re still bright (and providing the required illumination), then take another reading of the battery with your voltmeter. The battery should still be above 85% of its initial power off voltage. Reconnect your AC and allow the charger to stabilize for a minute or so. Observe the voltage reading across the battery. It should be around the upper limit mentioned earlier. This means the charger is working. You can replace the cover, and tag off on the unit as having passed the annual test.
Do self-contained exit lights have to be tested, and if so, what’s the procedure?
Yes, they do. Furthermore, they have to be individually tagged as well. Modern self-powered exit signs commonly incorporate a small (usually lithium-ion) standby battery, charger board, LED lights to provide illumination for regular power and a separate LED string (usually comprising fewer lights) for emergency standby. The problem is, the battery pack is usually equipped with pigtail leads and a small plastic plug that is connected to the charger board. You can’t readily test the battery (or the charger) as we illustrated in the previous FAQ. So, how do you test these types of units?
Well, here’s the way to do it. You’ll have to purchase a terminal strip from any electronics wholesaler (typically the leads you’re going to be working with are 18 or 20 AWG, so buy one that will readily accept the smaller wire). I normally carry a few different sizes with me. I like the ones that come in units of twelve terminals. They’re plastic and easy to separate (cut) into pairs. The terminal screws are also shielded by high plastic guards. Disconnect the battery from the charger board. You’ll have to cut the pigtail lead about half the distance between the plug and the battery. Next, carefully strip about a quarter inch from each lead and insert them into the terminals. Please be careful to separate the wires so you don’t short them when you’re cutting or stripping them. You now have a convenient test point for your voltmeter leads and can follow the same testing procedures as in the previous FAQ! We’ve illustrated what the final result should look like. The terminal strip should present no problem to tuck away.
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NOTE: You won’t have to do this with a new battery or exit unit. This will be needed at the next annual inspection, however.
When an apartment fire alarm is pulled, does the alarm stay on?
Not necessarily. Depending on the age your your apartment, your fire alarm system may be nothing more than a large relay in a box with a 12 volt “hot shot” battery as a backup. In the late ‘50’s and much of the ‘60’s (right around the time that some refer to as the “heyday” of the North American muscle car), many apartment blocks were wired with a “three-wire” fire alarm system. These consisted of manual stations strategically positioned on each floor which were wired to a big red box in the basement electrical room. The pull stations were essentially red switches that turned the alarm on or off (on some three wire systems there was no reset switch, that function was controlled by the pull station).
Modern alarm systems employ circuits that will latch into alarm, which means the bells will sound until someone opens the common control and pushes the “signal silence” button. The bells will usually start up again if another fire alarm is initiated in another zone (with some addressable type panels, this could also occur in the same zone which caused the initial alarm).
Do businesses in Vancouver need tags on newly installed emergency lights?
In Vancouver, yes, but usually new installations won’t require testing and tagging (it’s best to check with the local AHJ though). Following the first year in service, arrangements should be made to test the packs. In fact, I would strongly suggest that, if you own the business the new lights were installed in, you should arrange to have the required testing done BEFORE the official warranty expires. Some of the cheaper light packs I’ve seen FAIL the annual test because the charger is defective or non-functional.
Why must the proper polarity be observed when connecting devices on a fire alarm system?
Many smoke detectors won’t function if you connect them incorrectly (particularly the analogue type). Signalling devices (bells, horns, buzzers, and strobes) employ diodes which allows the fire alarm control to pass through a supervisory voltage. This will be blocked if you reverse the polarity which will have one of two results: the buzzer or horn will start to sound (usually much weaker than the full alarm tone because the supervisory voltage is so low), or the panel will display a zone fault trouble. ALWAYS observe the correct polarity for any field device you connect to a fire alarm system. The only exception to the rule are conventional heat detectors, manual stations, sprinkler flow and tamper switches which are all contact type devices and are NOT polarity sensitive.
Do I need to disconnect the power (AC) when replacing an SLA battery in an exit light?
Typically no. Keep in mind that if the exit light is powered by three phase 347 VAC, then you must exercise the appropriate cautions outlined HERE!
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