Fire Alarm System Monitoring - CAN/ULC-S561-03 Brian McBain ULC Regulatory Services May 4, 2011 Copyright 1995-2007 Underwriters' Laboratories of Canada. All rights reserved. No portion of this material may be reprinted in any form without the express written permission of Underwriters Laboratories of Canada or as otherwise provided in writing.
Overview Compliance with BC Building Code and Fire Code Code Requirements for monitoring fire alarm system. Monitoring Fire Alarm Systems CAN/ULC- S561-03 ULC Certificate Program p/2
Fire Alarm Installation BUILDING and ELECTRICAL PERMIT FIRE ALARM SYSTEM INSTALLED FIRE ALARM SYSTEM VERIFIED VERIFICATION Documentation ULC CERTIFICATE Protective Signaling Certificate OCCUPANCY ULC FAC CERTIFICATE p/3
Installed Alarm System p/4
What Makes up a Compliant System? Compliant System Protected Premise Transmitter Fire Alarm Panel Sprinkler Riser Communication Path Active or Passive Multiplex, Internet DACT c/w Cell Fire Signal Receiving Centre ULC Listed Receiving Units Sufficient Staff p/5
Why do these installations have to meet CAN/ULC-S561-03? Interconnection of fire alarm transmitter, communication channel and connection to fire signal receiving centre is an extension of fire alarm system and shall be properly installed. CAN/ULC-S524-06 Clause 5.15.1 p/6
Code References BCBC 3.2.4.5 (1) CAN/ULC-S524-06 BCBC 3.2.4.5.(2) CAN/ULC-S537-04 BCFC 6.3.1.2. (1) CAN/ULC-S536-04 p/7
Article 3.2.4.7 of BC Building Code of Canada The fire department must be notified upon: Initiation of the 1 st stage (alert signal) Activation of any fire alarm initiating device in assembly occupancy with occupant load exceeding 300. p/8
Article 3.2.4.7 of the National Building Code of Canada Supervisory condition of sprinkler system must be transmitted to a fire signal receiving center Notification of fire department provided via a Fire Signal Receiving Centre (SRC) that conforms to CAN/ULC-S561 p/9
What is a Central Station? Central Station is an assembly of interconnected pieces of equipment designed and installed to transmit, receive and monitor a signal from a fire alarm system. p/10
Connection of a Fire Alarm System to a Central Station Installation by an electrical contractor Installation by a Listed Central station ( shared service installation, or full service ) FAS CPU Transmitter Communication system Protective receiving centre/monitoring station Full service central station (installation and monitoring) conforming to ULC S561 and listed by the ULC in accordance with ULC certificate central station Fire Protective Signaling service p/11
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Fire/Sprinkler Alarm Monitoring CAN/ULC-S561-03 May 4, 2011 Copyright 1995-2007 Underwriters' Laboratories of Canada. All rights reserved. No portion of this material may be reprinted in any form without the express written permission of Underwriters Laboratories of Canada or as otherwise provided in writing.
Signals to the Fire Department BCBC 3.2.4.7 (4) Notification of the fire department, as required by Sentences (1), (2) and(3), shall be provided in conformance with CAN/ULC-S561, Installation and Services for Fire Signal Receiving Centres and Systems. BCFC 6.3.1.3 p/14
Protected Premises p/15
Protected Premises Premises equipment installed Installed in accordance with CEC Use metallic raceway Separate breaker or branch circuit Signal Transmitting Unit CAN/ULC-S559 Label on Signal Transmitting Unit Name and phone number of SRC Statement equipment is monitoring fire alarm Notification to SRC prior to working on system No conflicting information on panel p/16
Electrical Supervision Electrical supervision for following: Water flow switches Supervisory devices Control panel for extinguishing systems Alarm, trouble and supervisory outputs from fire alarm system control unit p/17
Signaling Services Fire Alarm Control Units: Alarm, troubles and Supervisory Signals + Restoration Power failure conditions + Restoration Alarm Signal shall be transmitted regardless of an abnormal condition at protected premises Fire Alarm Signal shall always be highest priority p/18
Disposition of Signals Fire Alarm Signals from a Fire Panel or Extinguishing System: Contact fire department within 30 seconds Contact persons designated by owner within 5 min. Dispatch service personnel within 1 hour p/19
Disposition of Signals (cont.) Fire Alarm Signals from a Fire Panel or Extinguishing System: Prearranged test not necessary to follow dispatch instructions SRC shall ensure fire alarm signal has been restored within 8 hours and if not restored, determine with building owner or designee when fire alarm signal will be restored. p/20
Fire Alarm Control unit Trouble or Supervisory Signals Disposition of Signals: Contact owner / designee within 5 min. Upon restoration - contact owner / designee if required Provide notice to AHJ if requested p/21
Fire Alarm Control unit Trouble or Supervisory Signals (cont.) Disposition of Signals: Prearranged tests - not required If trouble signal is result of long term power outage (confirmed), SRC can delay contacting owner/designee pending receipt of restore signal. SRC shall ensure trouble signal is restored p/22
Signal Transmitting Unit and Communications Troubles Disposition of Signals: Contact owner/designee within 5 min. and indicate signals may not be received from the Fire Alarm Transmitter Dispatch Service Personnel to arrive within 4 hours to initiate repairs unless result of power outage Contact AHJ if necessary p/23
Installation of Signal Transmitting Unit Devices installed in accordance with CAN/ULC-S524 Installed as close as practical to devices being protected- if not clear indicate location Meet requirements of CAN/ULC-S559 p/24
Installation of Signal Transmitting Unit (cont.) Installed in accordance with manufacturer s installation instructions Clear space of 1000mm around transmitter Installed not more than 2400mm from floor p/25
Installation of Signal Transmitting Unit (cont.) Operating controls not more than 1800mm from floor Exposed to ambient temperature 0-49 C Free of electromechanical interference, RF and noise transients p/26
Wiring and Cables All wiring shall be mechanically protected up to point of demarcation Telephone line does not have to be protected but good idea - some AHJ s may required protection of telephone cable p/27
Installation Field devices for Water type Extinguishing Systems Sprinkler switches to be installed NFPA 13 Field Devices installed as per Manufacturer s Installation Instructions and CEC CSA C22.1 Properly mounted to prevent damage or to impair operation All conductors shall be individually cut, stripped, and terminated to provide supervision - no twisting of wires p/28
Monitored Sprinkler Riser p/29
Waterflow and Supervisory Devices Waterflow and supervisory devices shall comply with CAN/ULC-S548 A valve shall not be installed between fire alarm initiating device and alarm check valve p/30
Waterflow and Supervisory Devices Waterflow switches may be equipped with retard feature to prevent false alarms Pre-action valves may have fire alarm initiating device integral part of pre-action valve p/31
Waterflow Devices A waterflow switch shall operate to indicate leak or flow of water equal to or greater than single automatic sprinkler of the smallest orifice size Delays in waterflow initiation shall not be greater than 90 seconds p/32
Control Valve Position Supervisory Devices Gate valve switches Two distinct signals supervisory and restore Monitors position of valve handle/stem Operate within two turns of open position Valve stem moved 20% of normal position Gate valve switch shall remain activated when valve is in offnormal position p/33
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Pressure Devices Two distinct signals pressure drop or increase and restoration High and low pressure switches Dry-pipe Low Pressure - Wet pipe Pressure Tank - High and Low Pressure Change 70kPa p/35
Pump Supervisory Devices Used with automatic fire pumps and special service pumps When operating must be considered fire alarm signal Supervision on the line side so to detect: Open fuses or breakers All phases and phase reversals High engine oil temp, low oil Engine shut down, battery failure Failure to start p/36
Tampering and Troubles Tamper Devices utilized with alarm devices Actuation of tamper shall not cause fire or supervisory signal to be received at SRC Fire and supervisory devices shall be wired that opening or removal of cover will result in trouble signal. p/37
Periodic Inspection and Test Fire Alarm Devices (sprinkler) Fire Alarm Control Units Periodic Test and Inspection are carried out as per CAN/ULC-S536 - Testing done independently of this Standard p/38
Periodic Inspection and Test (cont.) Two month interval On emergency power supply Water flow devices Six month interval Gate Valves Pressure switches All tests shall be recorded and retained for two years p/39
Periodic Inspection and Test (cont.) Yearly Tests Alarm Signal from fire alarm panel by activating initiating devices Waterflow switches Other devices (fire pump) Yearly Tests Trouble Signal Transmitting Unit Alarm Initiating Circuit Fire Alarm Control Unit p/40
Periodic Inspection and Test (cont.) Yearly - confirm operability & ensure receipt of signal and restoration at SRC Communication Link Dual and Redundant Paths Test both paths Signal to be received in 180 seconds p/41
Field Devices Each Field Device shall be inspected: Free of Damage Free of foreign substance (paint) Mechanically supported independent of wiring p/42
Waterflow Devices Waterflow Device Inspected and tested for operability Flow of water Time delay setting Test trouble condition from tamper device p/43
Supervisory Devices Test and Inspect for Signal and Operability Pressure Switch Tamper Device Gate Valve Low water Supervisory (air or water) Low Temperature Power loss (fire pump) Power line failure Room Temperature Other Devices p/44
ULC Certificate Program May 4, 2011 Copyright 1995-2007 Underwriters' Laboratories of Canada. All rights reserved. No portion of this material may be reprinted in any form without the express written permission of Underwriters Laboratories of Canada or as otherwise provided in writing.
What Does a Certificate Mean? Installation meets CAN/ULC-S561-03 Equipment meets National Standards Monitored by ULC Listed Receiving Centre meets CAN/ULC-S561-03 Care Contract in Place for Service and Test ULC will randomly audit premises p/46
Certificate Requirements Installation & monitoring company is ULC Listed Contracts between customer and Alarm Service (installation) Company Contracts Between Alarm Service company and the monitoring company Full Service companies excluded Regular Testing of System (ULC-S561) ULC Certificate posted on-site p/47
What ULC Inspectors Look for? ULC Listed Transmitter Incoming power hardwired Transformer enclosed Wiring between fire alarm transmitter and connected devices shall be in metal conduit 24 hour standby power (batteries) Wiring is supervised p/48
Improper Installation What you get when no one Polices system installations! p/49
Improper Installation p/50
Improper Installation p/51
Improper Installation p/52
Improper Installation p/53
Improper Installation p/54
Improper Installation p/55
ULC Certificate Program For CAN/ULC-S561-03 Compliant Systems, ULC can issue a Certificate stating Compliance to the Standard- Meets BCBC & BCFC The ULC Certificate is the only proof that the entire fire alarm monitoring system is compliant Each site is issued a certificate is subject to a random audit p/56
Benefits of the ULC Certificate Extra Set of Eyes and Ears Quicker inspection by Fire Officials Confidence Fire Alarm Monitoring System meets requirements of CAN/ULC-S561-03 Random audits Non-compliant systems can result in cancellation of ULC Certificate p/57
Who can issue a ULC Certificate? Full Service Monitoring Station Shared Service Monitoring Station with Installation Company p/58
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Questions Brian McBain Regulatory Services Tel: 418 844 0063 Brian.McBain@ca.ul.com p/60