SECTION 6.3  ALARM AND VOICE COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS FOR LIFE SAFETY

Subsection 6.3.1.  General

Access

6.3.1.1.  Access to fire alarm and voice communication system components requiring inspection or servicing shall be kept unobstructed.

Monitoring

6.3.1.2.  (1)  Where the Building Code or this Code require a fire alarm system to be monitored to transmit a signal to the fire department, the building owner shall ensure the continuation of the monitoring.

(2)  Where the fire alarm system monitoring referred to in Sentence (1) is provided by a central station, the building owner shall obtain written documentation from the central station operator that the monitoring service complies with

(a)   NFPA 71, “Standard for the Installation, Maintenance, and Use of Signaling Systems for Central Station Service”, or
(b)   CAN/ULC-S561, “Installation and Services for Fire Signal Receiving Centres and Systems”.

(3)  Where a fire alarm system is monitored by a central station to meet the requirements of the Building Code or this Code, the operator of the central station shall provide, upon request by the owner or Chief Fire Official, a document attesting that the monitoring service is in compliance with one of the standards identified in Sentence (2).

(4)  Despite Article 1.2.1.1. of Division A, where the Building Code or this Code requires a fire alarm system to be monitored and the monitoring is provided by a central station, the operator of the central station shall be responsible for maintaining the monitoring service and associated monitoring equipment in accordance with one of the standards identified in Sentence (2).

(5)  Where the fire alarm system is monitored by a proprietary signalling system, such system shall be maintained in accordance with Chapter 4 of NFPA 72, “National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code”.

6.3.1.3.  (1)  If a fire alarm or voice communication system or any part thereof is shut down

(a)   the fire department and building occupants shall be notified in accordance with Article 1.1.1.1., and
(b)   the supervisory staff shall be notified.

6.3.1.4.  Fire alarm and voice communication systems shall be maintained in operating condition.

Signal silencing

6.3.1.5.  (1)  Once activated, a fire alarm system shall not be manually silenced unless it has been confirmed by supervisory staff, in accordance with approved procedures as detailed in the fire safety plan, that no fire emergency exists.

(2)  Sentence (1) does not apply where a silencing switch is part of an approved integrated voice communication system and signal silencing takes place to allow fire emergency instructions to be heard.

Disconnect switches

6.3.1.6.  Disconnect switches for power supplies which serve only fire alarm systems or interconnected smoke alarms shall be in a locked secure area or otherwise secured in an approved manner.

Relocating manual pull stations

6.3.1.7.  (1)  Where approved, manual pull stations for a fire alarm system in a building may be relocated if there is a high incidence of false alarms in the building.

(2)  Where the manual pull stations are relocated, alternate approved measures shall be used to maintain the level of life safety.

Repairs and alterations to fire alarm systems

6.3.1.8.  Repair, replacement and alterations of fire alarm system components shall be in accordance with CAN/ULC-S524, “Standard for the Installation of Fire Alarm Systems”.

Subsection 6.3.2.  Check, Inspect and Test

Obligation to ensure compliance

6.3.2.1.  (1)  The owner shall ensure that any person performing the annual tests or annual inspections required by this Subsection for fire alarm systems or performing the repairs, replacements or alterations of fire alarm systems referred to in Article 6.3.1.8. is in compliance with the requirements of

(a)   Clause 1.2.1.2.(1)(a) of Division C, or
(b)   Sentence 1.2.1.2.(2) of Division C.

(2)  The owner shall ensure that any person performing the annual tests or annual inspections required by this Subsection for interconnected smoke alarm systems or performing the tests or maintenance for interconnected smoke alarm systems referred to in Article 6.3.2.6. is in compliance with the requirements of

(a)   Clause 1.2.2.2.(1)(a) of Division C, or
(b)   Sentence 1.2.2.2.(2) of Division C.

Fire alarm systems

6.3.2.2.  (1)  Except as provided in Sentence (2), a fire alarm system, with or without voice communication capability, shall be inspected and tested in conformance with CAN/ULC-S536, “Inspection and Testing of Fire Alarm Systems”.

(2)  Despite Clause 5.7.4.1.6. of CAN/ULC-S536, “Inspection and Testing of Fire Alarm Systems”, a UL listed smoke detector sensitivity instrument may be used to conduct annual sensitivity testing of smoke detectors.

(3)  A description of the fire alarm system as required in Clause 3.6 of CAN/ULC-S536, “Inspection and Testing of Fire Alarm Systems”, shall be kept current and maintained in the building at an approved location.

(4)  A record of each device, component and circuit of the fire alarm system that is inspected and tested in accordance with Sentence (1) shall

(a)   indicate whether the device, component or circuit is in proper working order, and
(b)   be kept in accordance with Subsection 1.1.2.

(5)  Where a fire alarm system is monitored to transmit a signal to the fire department, the owner shall record whether all signals from the tests conducted in Sentence (1), or other events, are received by the monitoring station, and records shall be kept in accordance with Subsection 1.1.2.

Central alarm and control facilities

6.3.2.3.  The central alarm and control facility shall be checked daily for indication of trouble in the system.

Voice communication systems

6.3.2.4.  Voice communication systems that are integrated with a fire alarm system shall be tested in conformance with CAN/ULC-S536, “Inspection and Testing of Fire Alarm Systems”.

6.3.2.5.  (1)  Voice communication systems that are not integrated with a fire alarm system shall be tested monthly in compliance with Sentences (2) and (3).

(2)  Loudspeakers described in Sentence (1) shall be tested monthly as an all-call signal to ensure they function as intended.

(3)  Communication from at least one remote firefighter emergency telephone location to the control unit shall be tested monthly on a rotational basis so that communication from all remote firefighter emergency telephone locations are tested at least once per year.

(4)  Voice communication systems are not required to be tested in conformance with Sentences (1) and (2) where the systems are regularly used as part of a paging system.

Interconnected smoke alarms

6.3.2.6.  (1)  This Article applies to interconnected smoke alarm systems in all residential occupancies and care occupancies, except in individual dwelling units and in buildings regulated by Section 9.8.

(2)  Interconnected smoke alarms shall be tested and maintained in operating condition in conformance with CAN/ULC-S552, “Standard for the Maintenance and Testing of Smoke Alarms”, and as required by this Article.

(3)  The power supply shall be checked weekly.

(4)  The operability of the interconnected system shall be confirmed monthly, by testing at least one smoke alarm using its test function, on a rotational basis.

(5)  Where installed, each manual pull station shall be tested to ensure activation of the interconnected smoke alarms on an annual basis.

(6)  Written records shall be kept of weekly checks of the power supply for at least six months after they are made, and be available upon request to the Chief Fire Official.

(7)  Revoked: O. Reg. 33/19, s. 23.

Subsection 6.3.3.  Smoke Alarms — Maintenance and Testing

Application

6.3.3.1.  (1)  This Subsection applies to smoke alarms in

(a)   suites of residential occupancy,
(b)   guest suites,
(c)   sleeping rooms not within a dwelling unit, and
(d)   other occupancies in which smoke alarms are required by the Building Code.

Landlord is responsible

6.3.3.2.  Despite the definition of owner in Article 1.4.1.2. of Division A, in the case of a rental suite, only the landlord shall be considered to be the owner for the purpose of applying Article 1.2.1.1. of Division A to this Subsection.

Duty to maintain in operating condition

6.3.3.3.  (1)  Smoke alarms shall be maintained in operating condition.

(2)  Primary and secondary power supplies that serve smoke alarms shall be maintained in operating condition.

(3)  If the Building Code requires a visual signalling component that is integral with or connected to a smoke alarm, the visual signalling component shall be maintained in operating condition.

Maintenance instructions to be given to tenant

6.3.3.4.  The landlord of each rental suite shall give the tenant a copy of the smoke alarm manufacturer’s maintenance instructions or approved alternative maintenance instructions.

Tenant to notify landlord

6.3.3.5.  (1)  A tenant of a rental suite shall notify the landlord as soon as the tenant becomes aware that

(a)   a smoke alarm in the unit is disconnected,
(b)   a smoke alarm in the unit is not operating, or
(c)   the operation of a smoke alarm in the unit is impaired.

Disabling prohibited

6.3.3.6.  No person shall disable a smoke alarm.

Replacement

6.3.3.7.  (1)  A smoke alarm shall be replaced within the time frame indicated in the manufacturer’s instructions.

(2)  When a smoke alarm is replaced

(a)   in the case of a suite subject to Part 9, the replacement shall not provide a lower level or type of protection than that required by Part 9,
(b)   in the case of a suite not subject to Part 9 that was constructed on or after April 6, 1998, the replacement shall not provide a lower level or type of protection than that required by the Building Code in effect at the time of construction of the suite, and
(c)   in the case of a suite not subject to Part 9 that was constructed before April 6, 1998, the replacement shall not provide a lower level or type of protection than that required by Article 2.13.2.1.

(3)  The Chief Fire Official may approve an alternative to a requirement of Sentence (2) if, in the opinion of the Chief Fire Official, the alternative provides fire safety protection equivalent to or greater than the fire safety protection that would be provided by the requirement.

Testing

6.3.3.8.  (1)  This Article applies to rental suites.

(2)  The landlord shall test smoke alarms annually and after every change in tenancy.

(3)  The landlord shall test battery-operated smoke alarms after the battery is replaced.

(4)  The landlord shall test smoke alarms that are connected to an electrical circuit after any change is made to the electrical circuit.

(5)  For the purposes of Sentences (2), (3) and (4), smoke alarms shall be tested by activating the smoke alarm test feature.

(6)  If the Building Code requires a visual signalling component that is integral with or connected to a smoke alarm, the landlord shall ensure that any test of the smoke alarm required by Sentences (2) to (4) activates the visible signalling component.

Subsection 6.3.4.  Carbon Monoxide Alarms — Maintenance and Testing

Application

6.3.4.1.  This Subsection applies to carbon monoxide alarms in buildings containing a residential occupancy.

Landlord is responsible

6.3.4.2.  Despite the definition of owner in Article 1.4.1.2. of Division A, in the case of a rental suite of residential occupancy, only the landlord shall be considered to be the owner for the purpose of applying Article 1.2.1.1. of Division A to this Subsection.

Duty to maintain in operating condition

6.3.4.3.  (1)  Carbon monoxide alarms shall be maintained in operating condition.

(2)  Primary and secondary power supplies that serve carbon monoxide alarms shall be maintained in operating condition.

Maintenance instructions to be given to tenant

6.3.4.4.  The landlord of each rental suite of residential occupancy shall give the tenant a copy of the carbon monoxide alarm manufacturer’s maintenance instructions or approved alternative maintenance instructions.

Tenant to notify landlord

6.3.4.5. (1)  A tenant of a rental suite of residential occupancy shall notify the landlord as soon as the tenant becomes aware that

(a)   a carbon monoxide alarm in the unit is disconnected,
(b)   a carbon monoxide alarm in the unit is not operating, or
(c)   the operation of a carbon monoxide alarm in the unit is impaired.

Disabling prohibited

6.3.4.6.  No person shall disable a carbon monoxide alarm.

Replacement in certain buildings

6.3.4.7.  (1)  Subject to Sentence (2), this Article applies to every building that contains a residential occupancy and

(a)   a fuel-burning appliance,
(b)   a fireplace, or
(c)   a storage garage.

(2)  This Article applies

(a)   as of April 15, 2015, in the case of buildings that contain no more than six suites of residential occupancy, and
(b)   as of October 15, 2015, in the case of buildings that contain more than six suites of residential occupancy.

(3)  A carbon monoxide alarm shall be replaced within the time frame indicated in the manufacturer’s instructions.

(4)  Despite Section 2.16, when a carbon monoxide alarm is replaced in a suite of residential occupancy constructed on or after August 6, 2001, the replacement

(a)   shall not provide a lower level or type of carbon monoxide protection than that required by the Building Code as it read on the day the suite was constructed, and
(b)   shall comply with CSA-6.19, “Residential Carbon Monoxide Alarming Devices” or UL 2034, “Single and Multiple Station Carbon Monoxide Alarms”.

(5)  When a carbon monoxide alarm is replaced in a suite of residential occupancy constructed before August 6, 2001, the replacement carbon monoxide alarm shall meet the requirements of Article 2.16.2.1.

(6)  The Chief Fire Official may approve an alternative to a requirement of Sentence (4) or (5) if, in the opinion of the Chief Fire Official, the alternative provides life safety protection equivalent to or greater than the life safety protection that would be provided by the requirement.

Testing

6.3.4.8.  (1)  This Article applies to rental suites of residential occupancy.

(2)  The landlord shall test carbon monoxide alarms annually and after every change in tenancy.

(3)  The landlord shall test battery-operated carbon monoxide alarms after the battery is replaced.

(4)  The landlord shall test carbon monoxide alarms that are connected to an electrical circuit after any change is made to the electrical circuit.

(5)  For the purposes of Sentences (2), (3) and (4), carbon monoxide alarms shall be tested by activating the carbon monoxide alarm test feature.