|
How do you identify qualified personnel to VERIFY a smoke alarm installation?
When interconnected smoke alarms are being used to provide an audible warning of a sprinkler trip, how are you going to ensure the system operates during a power failure?
NFPA 25 (2008 & 2011) requires the permanent installation of a Forward Flow Test Header in order to ensure subsequent ANNUAL TESTING of the back-flow prevention device can be performed.
How do you install, operate, and test smoke detectors in lieu of smoke alarms, and what signals should they provide to the Fire Signal Receiving Centre when they activate?
Here’s a list of the Canadian Standards that are going to be referenced in NFCC 2015:
CAN/ULC-S540:2013 - Standard for Residential Fire and Life Safety Warning Systems: Installation, Testing, Inspection and Maintenance
CAN/ULC-S552:2014 - Standard for Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Smoke Alarms
CAN/ULC-S561:2013 - Standard for Installation and Services for Fire Signal Receiving Centres and Systems
CAN/ULC-S536:2013 - Standard for Inspection and Testing of Fire Alarm Systems (also based on the 2006 published edition of the fire alarm installation Standard)
CAN/ULC-S1001:2011 - Standard for Integrated Systems Testing of Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems
NFCC 2015 will raise a whole set of its own challenges, namely:
How do you identify qualified personnel to perform the maintenance and inspection of interconnected smoke alarms?
How do you identify an individual qualified to perform INTEGRATED TESTING of building life safety systems?
What form should be used to document the testing of a smoke control system?
What form should be used to document the proper testing of a sprinkler system? Kitchen suppression system? Outdoor fire alarm annunciator installation? Fire Signal Receiving Centre transmitter?
These, and many more questions are going to need definitive answers and the trained, qualified professionals that will ensure these (and other) critical systems are properly tested, and will operate when required.
Many jurisdictions have only now started searching for answers. You’ll find a whole bunch of them at www.firetechs.net!
COUNTERFEIT ASTTBC RFPT STAMP IN CIRCULATION!
Surrey, British Columbia - ASTTBC has issued a “Notice to Authorities Having Jurisdiction” informing them of a previously Registered Fire Protection Technician who is performing inspection and testing on life safety equipment in the Lower Mainland using a counterfeit ASTTBC stamp. The notice states that Michael Connaghan was removed from the ASTTBC RFPT register on August 7, 2012. At the time he had endorsements in Fire Extinguishers (EX), Special Suppression Systems (SP), and Water-Based Fire Protection Systems (WA). The Progressive Fire tag was discovered on a Notifier fire alarm panel by a vigilant Richmond (BC) Fire Prevention Officer last year. It was stamped with a fake ASTTBC seal bearing Mr. Connaghan’s name and previous FP number - FP1274 - which featured two additional endorsements: Fire Alarm (FA), and Emergency Lighting (EM).
|
|
|
Only the month in which the actual inspection/testing of the life safety equipment takes place should be “X’d”. A hole punch is recommended as tags in sprinkler rooms are frequently exposed to moisture and the ink may smear or become illegible.
|
|
Building owners and Property Managers in the Lower Mainland are urged to inspect the tags on their life safety equipment. Please call your local Fire Department’s non-emergency line if Progressive Fire 778.278.6314 is on the face along with an ASTTBC RFPT stamp in the name of Michael Connaghan FP1274 AL EM EX SP WA. Progressive Fire’s telephone number is no longer in service.
January 11, 2012 - ASTTBC Notice to Authorities Having Jurisdiction - FP - Michael Connaghan (FP1274) by Frank Kurz on Scribd
VANCOUVER’S VBBL 2014 AMENDMENTS WILL IMPACT NEW FIRE ALARM SYSTEM INSTALLATIONS!
Vancouver, British Columbia - January 1st, 2018 is the day that a new amendment to By-law 11996 comes into effect. There are a number of changes to VBBL 2014, but the two really significant ones we want to focus on deal with fire alarm installation. They’re incorporated in two key substitutions:
“In Book I, Division B, Part 3, Article 1.3.1.2., in Table T-1.3.1.2., Council:
... f) strikes out
|
ULC
|
CAN/ULC-S524-06
|
Installation of Fire Alarm Systems
|
3.1.8.12.(2)
3.1.8.12.(3)
3.2.4.5.(1)
3.2.4.20.(4)
3.2.4.21.(7)
3.2.4.21.(12)
9.10.19.4.(3)
9.10.19.6.(2)
|
and substitutes the following
|
ULC
|
CAN/ULC-S524-14
|
Standard for Installation of Fire Alarm Systems
|
3.1.8.12.(2)
3.1.8.12.(3)
3.2.4.5.(1)
3.2.4.20.(4)
3.2.4.21.(7)
3.2.4.21.(12)
9.10.19.4.(3)
9.10.19.6.(2)
|
, and
g) strikes out
|
ULC
|
CAN/ULC-S537-04
|
Verification of Fire Alarm Systems
|
3.2.4.5.(2)
|
and substitutes the following
|
ULC
|
CAN/ULC-S537-13
|
Standard for Verification of Fire Alarm Systems
|
3.2.4.5.(2)”
|
Need Appendix “C” Reports? Visit our FORMS page and download either the MS Word or PDF file! If you’re installing an addressable fire alarm system IN Vancouver, then you should take a look at our TOOLS page where we feature a wall-mounted fire alarm device installation guide and wiring layouts for Data Communication Link Class “A” and Class “B” circuits. Let the games begin!
QUICK LINKS!
AHJ Training Courses are being offered by two (2) Canadian national associations:
- The Canadian Fire Alarm Association (CFAA) - Please visit their website (link below) for information on one being held in your area.
- The Fire Technicians Network (FTN) - Feel free to visit our Training Centre for available dates and cities! To make arrangements for us to present our two day Course Programme in YOUR municipality, please Contact Us for details!
Canadian Fire Alarm Technician Certification:
Fire Protection Equipment Technicians (Extinguisher Service):
Fire Protection Equipment Technicians (British Columbia):
INTERESTED IN COMMENTING ON THIS ARTICLE? QUESTIONS? GOT A STORY? SOMETHING OF INTEREST AND/OR NOTE-WORTHY?
Contact Us!
|
Ottawa, Ontario - Health Canada has issued two important recalls for life safety products manufactured and distributed in Canada by Kidde. The first affects fire extinguishers with plastic valves and actuators. Details of the recall can be viewed at:
The second major recall piggybacks on an earlier one for 
