Field Device Installation Guideline (Canada) - Includes CAN/ULC 524:2019

 

Additional requirements are outlined in the Standard for Installation of Fire Alarm Systems (CAN/ULC-S524) that is referenced by the current Building Code in effect.  Please refer to the applicable Standard for more detailed requirements.  This table’s focus is as a convenience guideline for basic wall-mounted device installation heights only.  The manufacturer’s installation instructions should be consulted for termination of wiring and approved mounting methods.  Notes referenced in the table are provided below. 

It is extremely important that the installer review the manufacturer’s instructions that detail the proper installation, mounting, wiring, and termination of the control equipment and field devices to avoid errors that could prove costly!

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Field Device Type CAN/ULC-S524-01/06 CAN/ULC-S524-14/524:2019 Manual Station 1200 – 1400 mm above the floor measured to the centre of the manual station (the centre of the back-box) 1050 – 1150 mm above the floor measured to the centre of the manual station (the centre of the back-box) Audible Signalling Appliance Not less than 2300 mm above the floor (where ceiling heights allow) measured to the centre of the device.  Not less than 150 mm from the ceiling measured from the top of the assembled device (top edge of gong if the device is a bell) Not less than 2300 mm above the floor (where ceiling heights allow) measured to the centre of the device.  Not less than 150 mm from the ceiling measured from the top of the assembled device (top edge of gong if the device is a bell) Insuite Audible Signalling Appliance with Integral Silencing Means 1200 – 1400 mm above the floor measured to the centre of the silencing means (the centre of the back-box does NOT apply) 1050 – 1150 mm above the floor measured to the centre of the silencing means (the centre of the back-box does NOT apply) Remote Audible Signal Silencing Means 1200 – 1400 mm above the floor measured to the centre of the silencing means (the centre of the back-box does NOT apply) 1050 – 1150 mm above the floor measured to the centre of the silencing means (the centre of the back-box does NOT apply) Visual Signalling Appliance (Wall Mounted) Mounted so that the entire lens is not less than 2000 mm and not more than 2400 mm above the finished floor.  See Section 5.4.5 for additional criteria. Mounted so that the entire lens is not less than 2000 mm and not more than 2400 mm above the finished floor.  See Section 9.4 for additional criteria. In-suite Sounder Isolator (See Notes 4, 5) Installed outside of the suite it is protecting.  They shall be visible and accessible at all times. Installed outside of the suite it is protecting.  They shall be visible and accessible at all times. Fire Fighter’s Telephones Mounted so that the height from the floor to the centerline of the enclosure is between 1350 mm and 1500 mm. Mounted so that the height from the floor to the centerline of the enclosure is between 1350 mm and 1500 mm. Smoke Detector (Wall Mounted) 100 - 300 mm from the ceiling to the top edge of the detector (does NOT apply to the base or backbox) 100 - 300 mm from the ceiling to the top edge of the detector (does NOT apply to the base or backbox) Fire Detectors Inside Elevator Shafts Located at the top of the shaft. Both CAN/ULC-S524-14 and CAN/ULC 524:2019 require you to use an alternate form of detection technology.  Reference Clause in 14 is 8.2.1.2, and in 2019 it is 27.1.2. (See Note 7) Heat Detector (Wall mounted in an elevator pit application only) NOTE:  There is no requirement for elevator pit fire detection in either NBC 2010 or CAN/CSA B44-2007 Not Addressed Where specified in the DESIGN or by the local AHJ, CAN/ULC-S524-14 illustrates that the detector is to be wall or bracket mounted 300 mm below the lowest point of travel of the cab (measured to the undersurface of the cab floor).  Linear heat detection cable is recommended in this application.  See the ULC Bulletins page! (See Note 7) Data Loop Isolator Mounted in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, must be visible and accessible at all times.  Installed in accordance with Section 5.14. (See Note 5) Mounted in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, must be visible and accessible at all times.  Installed in accordance with Section 10.2.1. (See Note 5) Addressable Modules (Supporting Field Devices) Includes:  relay modules, initiating modules, supervised output modules, signal circuit modules Not Addressed (see Note 6) (Follow manufacturer’s printed installation instructions) Not Addressed (see Note 6) (Follow manufacturer’s printed installation instructions) End-of-Line Devices (Resistor Plates) Installed less than 1800 mm above the finished floor (to the centre of the device).  Can be located inside a field device if not more than one field device is on the circuit. (See Note 1) Installed less than 1800 mm above the finished floor (to the centre of the device).  Can be located inside a field device if not more than one field device is on the circuit.  (See Note 1)

 

 

TYPICAL WIRING TABLES

(NOTE: These tables are included for illustrative purposes only.  You must refer to the manufacturer’s installation guide for the panel you are installing.  The tables provided here could only be used for Mircom branded control equipment.  Additional information accompanies these tables in the FA-1000 installation instructions which is not included here.)

(The two tables pictured below are the Copyright © of the Mircom Group of Companies.)

MIRCOM FA-1000® Wiring Table for Initiating (INI) Circuits & Remote Annunciator Power (See Note 3) WIRE GAUGE MAXIMUM WIRING RUN TO LAST DEVICE (EOL) (AWG) feet meters 22 2990 910 20 4760 1450 18 7560 2300 16 12000 3600 14 19000 5800 12 30400 9200

 

MIRCOM FA-1000® Wiring Table for Indicating (NAC) Circuits Total Signal Load MAXIMUM WIRING RUN TO LAST DEVICE (EOL) Maximum Loop Resistance 18AWG 16AWG 14AWG 12AWG Amperes feet meters feet meters feet meters feet meters Ohms 0.06 2350 716 3750 1143 6000 1829 8500 2591 30 0.12 1180 360 1850 567 3000 915 4250 1296 15 0.30 470 143 751 229 1200 366 1900 579 6 0.60 235 71 375 114 600 183 850 259 3 0.90 156 47 250 76 400 122 570 174 2 1.20 118 36 185 56 300 91 425 129 1.5 1.50 94 29 150 46 240 73 343 105 1.2 1.70 78 24 125 38 200 61 285 87 1.0

Errata:  The line item for the “.030 Ampere/16AWG” entry is shown as “150 feet” in Table 5 of the FA-1000 installation manual.  We have converted the “229 meter” entry on the line next to it to reflect the corrected Imperial measurement of “751”.

NOTES:

1.  End-of-Line Resistors may be mounted in a properly identified common termination box or inside the fire alarm system’s common control in which case a suitably secured terminal block must be used (it is not acceptable for resistors to be “floating” inside a back-box).

2.  Wiring methods and bonding to ground of field device’s back-boxes is referenced in the Canadian Electrical Code, and CAN/ULC-S524 (Standard for Installation of Fire Alarm Systems).

3.  The “Initiating Circuit” table above references wiring of remote annunciators.  All Mircom remote annunciators are wired in parallel in a continuous loop to the last unit.  No “T” tapping is allowed (either for power or data).  Twisted shielded wire is required for the RS-485 Data Buss with a separate wire pair for power.  NEVER USE a single five conductor cable for both data and power!  It must also be noted that each manufacturer will stipulate the type and gauge of wire to use when connecting remote annunciators.  READ THE MANUAL!

4.  In-suite sounders connected to isolators must be fully supervised for opens, shorts, and ground faults.  The use of isolators that supervise for shorts and ground faults only is prohibited in Canada!

5.  “Visible and accessible at all times” would normally make the installation of any isolator serving a floor area (or suites of a residential or care occupancy) inside an electrical closet non-compliant.  The Installation Standard (Clause 5.4.3.3 in 06 and Clause 10.2.6.2 in 14) specifically requires isolators serving audible appliances in suites of a residential or care occupancy to be located OUTSIDE of the suite they’re protecting.  It is strongly recommended that you consult with your local jurisdictional authority as to how they’re going to interpret the relevant clauses and ensure the system Verifier makes the appropriate notation in the Verification Appendix “C” report.

6.  While installation heights are not specifically mentioned in most manufacturer’s printed installation instructions, we would recommend that you install these modules not higher than 1800 mm above the finished floor (for ease of access).  Some mini-initiating modules are designed to “float” in a single gang backbox (usually mounted behind a conventional device).  CAN/ULC 524:2019 requires all accessory type modules to be mounted at 1800 mm above the finished floor and permanently marked with either their module number (address) or purpose (i.e. “1M020 - AHU-2 Shutdown Relay” or “1M144 Inside”).

7.  CAN/ULC 524:2019 requries all detection devices to be accessible for maintenance and testing.  CAN/ULC 536:2019 and CAN/ULC 537:2019 now identify fire detectors installed inside an elevator shaft as a DEFICIENCY.  You must use an alternate detection technology (i.e. linear heat detection cable or an air aspirating type smoke detector).  There are NO EXCEPTIONS!

 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Isolator Installation, Wiring Guides, Service & Testing
Fire Alarm Verification Appendix “C” Forms
Fire Alarm Installation FAQ
Fire Alarm Verification FAQ

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