1. Fire Alarm Verification CAN/ULC-S561-03
Day 1 - National
Screen for arrival
Fire Alarm Verification CAN/ULC-S561-03

2. Authority Having Jurisdiction Series
Professional Series – Authority Having Jurisdication (Private / Public) & Insurance
Authority Having Jurisdiction Series
Required initial course
AHJ or Insurance Course (32 hours)
Currently in three, one day Modules format
Additional Requirements
Plus two or more of the following CFAA Training:
Fire Alarm Testing, Inspection and Maintenance (6 hours)
High-rise Fire Alarm Systems (6 hours)
Networked Fire Alarm Systems (6 hours)
Special Fire Alarm Applications (6 hours)
Fire Alarm System Monitoring (4 hours)
OR the following CFAA Training:
Upgrading or Replacing a Fire Alarm System (12 hours)

3. Fire Alarm Verifications – When?
Day 1 - National
Fire Alarm Verifications – When?
New Installation
Partial Occupancies
Systems changed in stages
Panel replacement (Planned or Emergency)
System / device upgrades
System / device modifications
Additions
Deletions
Extensions
Programming
Maintenance
Explain the life cycle of a system from soup to nuts. Briefly outline the person responsible at each step.

4. Fire Alarm Verification – What?
Day 1 - National
Fire Alarm Verification – What?
Is this a full verification or a partial verification?
Are “like for like” devices or panels being replaced and what does “like for like” really mean?
Is the work being done under permit?
Is it being done correctly with all trades involved where other systems are being interfaced with the fire alarm?
Explain the life cycle of a system from soup to nuts. Briefly outline the person responsible at each step.

5. Fire Alarm Verification – Why?
Day 1 - National
Fire Alarm Verification – Why?
To ensure that everything is installed as per ULC-S524
Programmed as per plans and specifications and building permit documents
Annunciation Confirmed
Detector Sensitivity (Recorded)
Audibility (Recorded)
Fire Safety Plan Prepared (New System) or Updated (Replaced)
Explain the life cycle of a system from soup to nuts. Briefly outline the person responsible at each step.

6. PROGRAMMING MATRIX Day 1 - National
Explain what each topic will cover briefly

7. Day 1 - National
RETENTION OF RECORDS
(1) Subject to Sentence (2), the original or a copy of any record required by this Code shall be retained at the building to which the record relates
for a period of at least two years after being prepared, and
so that at least the most recent and the immediately preceding record of a given test or inspection are retained.
The initial verification or test reports for fire protection systems installed after November 21, 2007 shall be retained throughout the life of the systems, regardless of whether the systems are installed in accordance with this Code or the Building Code.
Source: OFC-2015

8. CAN/ULC-S561 Fire Signal Receiving Centre
Information Courtesy of ULC (Alan Cavers)

9. Fire Alarm System Monitoring
Why is ULC 561 important?
When is it required?
What is proper fire alarm monitoring?
Signal Receiving Centre vs. Proprietary
Installation of a Fire Alarm monitoring system?
Periodic Testing of these Systems?
Information Courtesy of ULC (Alan Cavers)

10. Why is Important? Installed Systems must meet the intent of the Code.
Signals to the Fire Signal Receiving Centre in a uniform way.
Disposition of Signals to the responding authority.
Understanding the AHJ requests for compliant systems.
Information Courtesy of ULC (Alan Cavers)

11. Occupancy Two Stage Fire Alarm System – Alert stage
Single Stage Fire Alarm System
Group A -Assembly Occupancy - >300
Group B Occupancy – Care or Detention Facility
Group F Division 1 – High Hazard
Fire Alarm System with Water-flow devices
Two Stage Fire Alarm System – Alert stage
Information Courtesy of ULC (Alan Cavers)

12. CAN/ULC-S561 is Retroactive in Ontario
Day 2
CAN/ULC-S561 is Retroactive in Ontario
Monitoring
(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).
Source: OFC
Monitoring
(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).
Source: OFC
The following slides compare the requirements for FAS monitoring between the OBC and the NBC.

13. NFPA-71 for Monitoring
The 1993 edition of NFPA 72 was a consolidation of the 1989 edition of NFPA 71, Standard for the Installation, Maintenance, and Use of Signaling Systems for Central Station Service; the 1990 edition of NFPA 72, Standard for the Installation, Maintenance, and Use of Protective Signaling Systems; the 1990 edition of NFPA 72E, Standard on Automatic Fire Detectors; the 1989 edition of NFPA 72G, Guide for the Installation, Maintenance, and Use of Notification Appliances for Protective Signaling Systems; the 1988 edition of NFPA 72H, Guide for Testing Procedures for Local, Auxiliary, Remote Station, and Proprietary Protective Signaling Systems; and the 1989 edition of NFPA 74, Standard for the Installation, Maintenance, and Use of Household Fire Warning Equipment.
NFPA
Standard for the Installation, Maintenance and Use of Signaling Systems for Central Station Service
(2)
There are no NFPA-71 or NFPA-72 listed signal receiving centres in Canada.

14. CAN/ULC-S561 COMPLIANT SERVICE
All three parts make up a compliant system. We will focus on the FSRC today but will touch on the installation and periodic testing.
Information Courtesy of ULC (Alan Cavers)

15. THE CAN/ULC-S561 STANDARD
Outlines
Construction, operation, installation, inspection and tests applicable to fire signal receiving centres and proprietary fire signal receiving centre;
Required methods of communications between the protected premises and the signal receiving centre
Installation, inspection and tests applicable to a fire signal transmitting unit and its field device inputs at the protected premises.
Information Courtesy of ULC (Alan Cavers)

16. CAN/ULC-S561 DEFINITIONS
SIGNAL RECEIVING CENTRE
A facility that receives alarm signals and at which trained personnel and service persons are on duty at all times.
PROPRIETARY FIRE SIGNAL RECEIVING CENTRE
A facility, operated by the Owner of the protected premises in which services encompassed in this Standard are monitored at all times by trained personnel.
SRC – Multiple Properties / Multiple Owners Proprietary – One Owner - multiple sites - no third party monitoring
Information Courtesy of ULC (Alan Cavers)

17. SIGNAL RECEIVING CENTRE REQUIREMENTS (S561 COMPLIANT)
A facility that receives alarm signals and at which trained persons are on duty at all times.
Consists of the following:
Facility with 2hr. Fire rating
CCTV Camera System and intercom
Signal receivers, station automation computer
Early warning fire protection system
Dedicated Power Source
Back-up systems- Telephone, generator, UPS
Buddy System
Trained staff to handle and dispatch alarms-24/7
Security Vestibule- Interlocked Doors
Contingency Plan – unforeseen disasters
Fire Extinguishers
Information Courtesy of ULC (Alan Cavers)

18. PROPRIETARY FIRE RECEIVING CENTRE REQUIREMENTS
2 hour fire separation .
Exception- 1 hour if the building is sprinklered.
Single locked door
Owner will provide Staffing 24/7
Owner usually provides installation and maintenance on the protected premises.
Owner usually provides a runner service.
Information Courtesy of ULC (Alan Cavers)

19. ULC Compliant Installations
Transmitter- S559/S527 Compliant
Installed by a ULC Listed Alarm Company
Manufacturer’s Installation Instructions.
Installed as per CAN/ULC-S561 including:
Communication Channels
Metallic raceway for interconnecting wires
Supervision of circuits
Tested prior to occupancy.
S527- Proprietary Systems are eligible.
Information Courtesy of ULC (Alan Cavers)

20. Signals to the Fire Signal Receiving Centre
Fire Alarm
Fire Trouble
Fire Supervisory
AC Fail
Communication Failures
Information Courtesy of ULC (Alan Cavers)

21. Communication Systems
Maximum Time to receive a fire alarm signal from a protected premises – 60 seconds
A communication system shall be continuously supervised to detect line faults
Passive Systems – Communication Path tested ever 24hrs.
Information Courtesy of ULC (Alan Cavers)

22. Disposition of Signals – Clause 9.4.4
Fire Alarm Signals from a Fire Panel or Extinguishing System:
Contact fire department within 30 seconds
Contact persons designated by the Building Owner within 5 minutes
Information Courtesy of ULC (Alan Cavers)

23. Disposition of Signals
Fire Trouble
Fire Supervisory
Communication Troubles
Signal Transmitting Unit Troubles
Contact Owner within 5 min.
Dispatch service within 4hrs.
Information Courtesy of ULC (Alan Cavers)

24. CAN/ULC-S561 Compliant Service
All three parts make up a compliant system. We will focus on the FSRC today but will touch on the installation and periodic testing.
Information Courtesy of ULC (Alan Cavers)

25. ULC Certificate * Electronic copies are now available
Day 2
ULC Certificate
A CAN/ULC-S561 Compliant System will have a ULC Certificate issued to the premises protected
NOTE: A certificate or letter regarding the ULC status of the receiving or monitoring station is NOT the same.
The codes states the SYSTEM not the STATION
* Electronic copies are now available
(appears different)

26. New Installation- S561 Compliant
Conduit, GSM, Second telephone line, Keypad , 120v feed.
Information Courtesy of ULC (Alan Cavers)

27. Ancillary Contacts & CAN/ULC-S561
Day 2
Ancillary Contacts & CAN/ULC-S561

28. ULC Listings WWW.ULC.CA- Online Directories
Category Codes associated to ULC Listings
DAYRC- CAN/ULC-S Equipment
DAYYC- CAN/ULC-S Shared Installation Co.
DAYIC - CAN/ULC-S Shared and Full Service
Fire Signal Receiving Centres
Information Courtesy of ULC (Alan Cavers)

29. Day 1 - National
Question and Answer Period Slide