3.2.4.

(1) Reserved.

(2) Except as permitted by Sentences (3) to (5) and Sentence 3.2.4.2.(4), a fire alarm system shall be installed in a building that contains,

(a) a contained use area,

(b) an impeded egress zone,

(c) more than 3 storeys, including storeys below the first storey,

(d) a total occupant load more than 300, other than in open air seating areas,

(e) an occupant load more than 150 above or below the first storey, other than in open air seating areas,

(f) a school, college, or child care facility, with an occupant load more than 40,

(g) a licensed beverage establishment or a restaurant, with an occupant load more than 150,

(h) a medium hazard industrial occupancy or a low hazard industrial occupancy with an occupant load more than 75 above or below the first storey,

(i) a residential occupancy with sleeping accommodation for more than 10 persons,

(j) a high hazard industrial occupancy with an occupant load more than 25,

(k) an occupant load more than 300 below an open air seating area,

(l) an interconnected floor space required to conform to Articles 3.2.8.3. to 3.2.8.11,

(m) a care and treatment occupancy for more than 10 persons receiving care or treatment, or

(n) a care occupancy for more than 10 persons receiving care.

(3) If each dwelling unit has direct access to an exterior exit facility leading to ground level, a fire alarm system is not required in an apartment building,

(a) in which not more than 4 dwelling units share a common means of egress, or

(b) that is not more than 3 storeys in building height.

(4) A fire alarm system is not required in a hotel 3 storeys or less in building height provided each suite has direct access to an exterior exit facility leading to ground level.

(5) A fire alarm system is not required in a storage garage conforming to Article 3.2.2.83. provided there are no other occupancies in the building.

(1) If there are openings through a firewall, other than those for piping, tubing, wiring and totally enclosed noncombustible raceways, the requirements in this Subsection shall apply to the floor areas on both sides of the firewall as if they were in the same building.

(2) Except as permitted by Sentence (4), if a building contains more than one major occupancy and a fire alarm system is required, a single system shall serve all occupancies.

(3) Except as permitted by Sentence (4), if a fire alarm system is required in any portion of a building, it shall be installed throughout the building.

(4) Except as required by Sentence (5), the requirements in this Subsection are permitted to be applied to each portion of a building not more than 3 storeys in building height, in which a vertical fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h separates the portion from the remainder of the building as if it were a separate building, provided there are no openings through the fire separation, other than those for piping, tubing, wiring and totally enclosed noncombustible raceways.

(5) The permission in Sentence (4) to consider separated portions of a building as separate buildings does not apply to service rooms and storage rooms.

(1) A fire alarm system shall be,

(a) a single stage system in a Group F, Division 1 occupancy,

(b) a 2 stage system in a Group B occupancy other than those described in Clause (c),

(c) a single or 2 stage system in a building 3 storeys or less in building height that contains a Group B, Division 3 occupancy,

(d) a single stage system in elementary and secondary schools, except for a special needs facility, and

(e) a single or 2 stage system in all other cases.

(1) A single stage fire alarm system shall, upon the operation of any manual pull station or fire detector, cause an alarm signal to sound on all audible signal devices in the system.

(2) A 2 stage fire alarm system shall,

(a) cause an alert signal to sound upon the operation of any manual pull station or fire detector,

(b) except for a Group B, Division 2 occupancy, automatically cause an alarm signal to sound if the alert signal is not acknowledged within 5 min of its initiation,

(c) have each manual pull station equipped so that the use of a key or other similar device causes an alarm signal to sound and continue to sound upon the removal of the key or similar device from the manual pull station, and

(d) in a building containing a hotel,

(i) cause an alarm signal to sound in the initiating fire zone in the hotel, and

(ii) cause an alert signal to sound throughout the hotel and such parts of the building as is necessary to alert hotel staff.

(3) A 2 stage fire alarm system is permitted to be zone coded so that, upon the operation of any manual pull station or fire detector,

(a) a coded alert signal is sounded indicating the zone of alarm initiation,

(b) the coded alert signal is repeated in its entirety no fewer than 4 times, and

(c) a continuous alert signal is sounded upon completion of the coded signals referred to in Clause (b) and Sentence (4).

(4) If a second manual pull station or fire detector is operated in a fire alarm system with zone coding as permitted by Sentence (3), in a zone other than that for which the first alert signal was sounded, the coded alert signal for the first zone shall be completed before the coded alert signal for the second zone is repeated no fewer than 4 times.

(1) Fire alarm systems, including those with voice communication capability, shall be installed in conformance with CAN/ULC-S524, “Installation of Fire Alarm Systems”.

(2) A fire alarm system shall be verified in conformance with CAN/ULC-S537, “Verification of Fire Alarm Systems”, to ensure satisfactory operation.

(1) Except as permitted by Sentence (3), a fire alarm system shall be designed so that when an alarm signal is actuated, it cannot be silenced automatically before a period of time has elapsed that is not less than,

(a) 5 min for a building not required to be equipped with an annunciator, and

(b) 20 min for any other building.

(2) Except as permitted by Sentences 3.2.4.19.(9), and 3.2.4.22.(2) and (3), a fire alarm system shall not incorporate manual silencing switches other than those installed inside the fire alarm control unit.

(3) Except as provided in Clause 3.2.4.22.(3)(a), in a care and treatment occupancy an alert signal is permitted to be silenced automatically after 1 min.

(1) If a fire alarm system is required to be installed and a single stage system is provided, the system shall be designed to notify the fire department in conformance with Sentence (4) that an alarm signal has been initiated in,

(a) a Group A occupancy having an occupant load more than 300,

(b) a Group B occupancy,

(c) a Group F, Division 1 occupancy,

(d) a building regulated by the provisions of Subsection 3.2.6.v1, or

(e) a building containing interconnected floor space required to conform to Articles 3.2.8.3. to 3.2.8.11.

(2) A fire alarm system that includes waterflow indicating devices shall be designed to notify the fire department, in conformance with Sentence (4), that an alarm has been initiated.

(3) If a fire alarm system is required to be installed and a 2 stage system is provided, the system shall be designed to notify the fire department, in conformance with Sentence (4), that an alert signal has been initiated.

(4) Notification of the fire department required by Sentences (1) to (3) shall be by way of,

(a) signals to a central station conforming to CAN/ULC-S561, “Installation and Services for Fire Signal Receiving Centres and Systems”, or

(b) the municipal fire alarm system.

(5) Where a single stage fire alarm system is installed in a building that is not sprinklered, and Sentence (1) does not apply, a legible notice, that is not easily removed, shall be affixed to the wall near each manual pull station stating,

(a) that the fire department is to be notified in the event of a fire emergency, and

(b) the emergency telephone number for the municipality or the telephone number of the fire department.

(1) Except as permitted in Sentences (3) to (5), an annunciator shall be installed in close proximity to a building entrance that faces a street or an access route for fire department vehicles that complies with Sentence 3.2.5.5.(1).

(2) Except as permitted by Sentence (6), the annunciator required by Sentence (1) shall have separate zone indication of the actuation of the alarm initiating devices in each,

(a) floor area so that in a building that is not sprinklered, the area of coverage for each zone is neither more than,

(i) one storey, nor

(ii) 2 000 m²,

(b) floor area so that in a building that is sprinklered, the area of coverage for each zone is neither more than,

(i) one storey, nor

(ii) the system area limits as specified in NFPA 13, “Installation of Sprinkler Systems”,

(c) shaft required to be equipped with smoke detectors,

(d) air handling system required to be equipped with smoke detectors,

(e) contained use area,

(f) impeded egress zone,

(g) fire compartment required in Sentence 3.3.3.5.(2)v1, and

(h) fire compartment required to be separated by vertical fire separations having a fire-resistance rating not less than 2 h, other than dwelling units described in Subsection 3.3.4.

(3) An annunciator need not be provided for a fire alarm system if not more than one zone indicator is required in Sentence (2).

(4) If an annunciator is not installed as part of a fire alarm system in conformance with Sentence (1), a visual and audible trouble signal device shall be provided inside the main entrance of the building.

(5) The requirements in Sentence (1) are waived in a building,

(a) reserved,

(b) that has an aggregate area for all storeys of not more than 2 000 m², and

(c) that is not more than 3 storeys in building height.

(6) The area limits of Clause (2)(a) are waived for an interior undivided open space used as an arena, a rink or a swimming pool provided that other spaces in the building that are separated from the open space are individually zoned in accordance with the requirements of Sentence (2).

(7) A fire alarm control unit installed in close proximity to a building entrance that faces a street or an access route for fire department vehicles that complies with Sentence 3.2.5.5.(1), is deemed to satisfy the requirement for an annunciator provided all indicators required for an annunciator or trouble signal device are included on the control unit.

(8) In a building containing a hotel in which a trouble signal sounding device has a silencing switch, a trouble light shall be installed in,

(a) the main reception area serving the hotel, or

(b) another continually-supervised location.

(9) In a nursing home, a remote audiovisual fire alarm trouble signal shall be located at the main nursing station.

(1) Electrical supervision shall be provided for a fire alarm system.

(2) If a fire alarm system is installed in a building, an automatic sprinkler system shall be electrically supervised to indicate a supervisory signal on the building fire alarm system annunciator for each of the following:

(a) movement of a valve handle that controls the supply of water to sprinklers;

(b) loss of excess water pressure required to prevent false alarms in a wet pipe system;

(c) loss of air pressure in a dry pipe system;

(d) loss of air pressure in a pressure tank;

(e) a significant change in water level in any water storage container used for fire fighting purposes;

(f) loss of power to any automatically starting fire pump, and

(g) a temperature approaching the freezing point in any dry pipe valve enclosure or water storage container used for fire fighting purposes.

(1) Fire detectors required by this Article shall be connected to the fire alarm system.

(2) Except as provided in Article 3.2.4.15., if a fire alarm system is required, fire detectors shall be installed in,

(a) storage rooms not within dwelling units,

(b) service rooms not within dwelling units,

(c) janitors’ rooms,

(d) rooms in which hazardous substances are to be used or stored,

(e) elevator and dumbwaiter shafts,

(f) a laundry room in a building of residential occupancy, but not one within a dwelling unit, and

(g) hazardous classrooms and change rooms in elementary and secondary schools.

(1) If a fire alarm system is required, smoke detectors shall be installed in,

(a) each sleeping room and each corridor serving as part of a means of egress from sleeping rooms in portions of a building classified as Group B major occupancy,

(b) each room in a contained use area and corridors serving those rooms,

(c) each corridor in portions of a building classified as Group A, Division 1 major occupancy,

(d) each public corridor in portions of a building classified as Group C major occupancy,

(e) each exit stair shaft, and

(f) Reserved

(g) each corridor serving classrooms in elementary and secondary schools.

(2) Except as provided in Article 3.2.4.15, if a fire alarm system is required, heat detectors shall be installed in,

(a) every room in portions of buildings classified as Group A, Division 1,

(b) except in a hotel, in every suite, and every room not located within a suite, in portions of buildings classified as Group C major occupancy and more than 3 storeys in building height, and

(c) in a floor area containing a hotel, in every room in a suite and in every room not located in a suite other than washrooms within a suite, saunas, refrigerated areas and swimming pools.

(3) Smoke detectors required in sleeping rooms of care or detention occupancy shall upon actuation provide an audible and visible signal to staff serving those rooms so that the room or location containing the smoke detector can be easily identified.

(1) If a fire alarm system is installed, an air handling system shall be designed to prevent the circulation of smoke upon a signal from a duct-type smoke detector if the air handling system,

(a) serves more than one storey,

(b) serves more than one suite in a storey,

(c) serves more than one fire compartment required by Sentence 3.3.3.5.(2)v1 or

(d) is not provided with fire-dampers as permitted by Sentence 3.1.8.8.(8)

(1) A central vacuum cleaning system in a building equipped with a fire alarm system shall be designed to shut down upon actuation of the fire alarm system.

(1) Except as permitted by Sentence (3), in a building having elevators that serve storeys above the first storey and that are equipped with an automatic emergency recall feature, smoke detectors shall be installed in the elevator lobbies on the recall level so that when these smoke detectors are actuated, the elevators will automatically return directly to an alternate floor level.

(2) Smoke detectors required by Sentence (1) shall be designed as part of the building fire alarm system.

(3) The alternate floor recall feature required by Sentence (1) is not required if the floor area containing the recall level is sprinklered.

(1) Fire detectors required by Article 3.2.4.10. and heat detectors required by Sentence 3.2.4.11.(2) need not be provided within a floor area if the floor area is sprinklered and the sprinkler system is electrically supervised in conformance with Sentence 3.2.4.9.(2)v1.

(1) An automatic sprinkler system shall be equipped with waterflow detecting devices and, if an annunciator is required by Article 3.2.4.8., shall be installed so that each device serves,

(a) not more than one storey, and

(b) an area on each storey that is not more than the system area limits as specified in NFPA 13, “Installation of Sprinkler Systems”.

(2) If a fire alarm system is provided, waterflow indicating devices required by Sentence (1) shall be connected to the fire alarm system so that on actuation an alert signal or an alarm signal is initiated.

(1) Except as permitted by Sentences (2) and (3), if a fire alarm system is installed, a manual pull station shall be installed,

(a) near the principal entrance to the building, and

(b) near every required exit.

(2) In a building that is sprinklered, a manual pull station is not required at an exterior egress doorway from a suite that does not lead to an interior shared means of egress in a hotel not more than 3 storeys in building height, provided each suite is served by an exterior exit facility leading directly to ground level.

(3) In a building that is sprinklered, a manual pull station is not required at an exterior egress doorway from a dwelling unit that does not lead to an interior shared means of egress in a building not more than 3 storeys in building height containing only dwelling units, provided each dwelling unit is served by an exterior exit facility leading directly to ground level.

(4) In a building referred to in Sentences (2) or (3), manual pull stations shall be installed near doorways leading from shared interior corridors to the exterior.

(5) In a building containing a hotel, a manual pull station shall be installed in the main reception area serving the hotel.

(6) Except as permitted by Sentence (3), in Group C apartment buildings, if a pull station is not installed on a floor area in accordance with Sentences (1) or (4),

(a) a manual pull station shall be installed in every dwelling unit in the floor area near each egress door leading from the dwelling unit,

(b) smoke detectors shall be installed in the floor area in public corridors and stairwells, and

(c) fire detectors shall be installed in the floor area in all common public areas and in rooms not located within dwelling units.

(7) In floor areas where the manual pull stations are located in dwelling units, a legible sign stating FIRE ALARM PULL STATIONS LOCATED IN APARTMENT UNITS shall be posted near every exit in a public corridor.

(8) Key switch activated pull stations are permitted in an impeded egress zone and a contained use area in Group B, Division 1 and Division 2 occupancies.

(1) In a 2 stage fire alarm system described in Sentence 3.2.4.4.(2), the same audible signal devices are permitted to be used to sound the alert signals and the alarm signals.

(2) If audible signal devices with voice reproduction capabilities are intended for paging and similar voice message use, other than during a fire emergency, they shall be installed so that alert signals and alarm signals take priority over all other signals.

(3) Audible signal devices forming part of a fire alarm or voice communication system shall not be used for playing music or background noise.

(4) Except as permitted in Sentence (6), visual signal devices shall be installed in addition to audible signal devices,

(a) in a building or portion of it intended for use primarily by persons with hearing impairment,

(b) in a public corridor serving a Group A, B, D or E occupancy,

(c) in a corridor used by the public and in a floor area or part of it where the public may congregate in Group A occupancy, and

(d) in not less than 10% of the suites of a hotel or motel.

(5) Visual signal devices are permitted to be installed in lieu of audible signal devices in the compartments referred to in Article 3.3.3.6.

(6) Visual signal devices required by Clauses (4)(b) and (c) are not required in,

(a) a classroom, and

(b) a Group B, Division 3 occupancy that contains sleeping accommodation for not more than 10 persons and not more than 6 occupants require assistance in evacuation in case of an emergency.

(1) Except as permitted in Sentence 3.2.4.18.(5), audible signal devices forming part of a fire alarm system shall be installed in a building so that alert signals and alarm signals are clearly audible throughout the floor area in which they are installed.

(2) The sound pattern of an alarm signal shall conform to the temporal pattern defined in Clause 4.2 of International Standard ISO 8201, “Acoustics — Audible Emergency Evacuation Signal”.

(3) The sound patterns of alert signals shall be significantly different from the temporal patterns of alarm signals.

(4) In all normally occupied spaces, the fire alarm signal sound pressure level,

(a) shall be not more than 100 dBA when measured at a distance of 3 m from the device, or

(b) is permitted to be more than 100 dBA provided the sound pressure level measured 2 000 mm above floor level is not more than 100 dBA.

(5) The sound pressure level in a sleeping room from a fire alarm audible signal device shall be not less than 75 dBA in a building of residential occupancy when any intervening doors between the device and the sleeping room are closed.

(6) Except as required by Sentence (5), the sound pressure level from a fire alarm audible signal device in a floor area shall be not less than 10 dBA above the ambient noise level, but with a minimum value not less than 65 dBA.

(7) Fire alarm audible signal devices shall be supplemented by visual signal devices in any floor area in which,

(a) the ambient noise level is more than 87 dBA, or

(b) the occupants of the floor area,

(i) use ear protective devices,

(ii) are located within an audiometric booth, or

(iii) are located within sound insulated enclosures.

(8) Sentence (7) shall also apply in an assembly occupancy in which music and other sounds associated with performances could exceed 100 dBA.

(9) Except as permitted by Sentence (13), an audible signal device located within a dwelling unit shall incorporate a means that enables the device to be silenced for a period of not more than 10 min, after which the device shall restore to normal operation.

(10) Audible signal devices within a dwelling unit or a suite of residential occupancy shall be connected to the fire alarm system,

(a) in a manner such that a single open circuit at one device will not impair the operation of other audible signal devices on the same circuit that serve the other dwelling units or suites of residential occupancy, or

(b) on separate signal circuits that are not connected to the devices in any other dwelling unit, public corridor, or suites of residential occupancy.

(11) In a building or part of it classified as a residential occupancy,

(a) separate circuits shall be provided for audible signal devices on each floor area, and

(b) audible signal devices within dwelling units or suites of residential occupancy shall be wired on separate signal circuits from those not within suites of residential occupancy or dwelling units.

(12) Audible signal devices shall be installed in a service space referred to in Sentence 3.2.1.1.(9) and shall be connected to the fire alarm system.

(13) Audible signal devices, within dwelling units that are wired on separate signal circuits, need not include a means for silencing as required by Sentence (9) provided the fire alarm system includes a provision for the automatic signal silence within dwelling units, where,

(a) the automatic signal silence cannot occur within the first 60 s of operation or within the zone of initiation,

(b) a subsequent alarm elsewhere in the building will reactuate the silenced audible signal devices within dwelling units,

(c) after a period of not more than 10 min, the silenced audible signal devices will be restored to continuous audible signal if the alarm is not acknowledged, and

(d) the voice communication system referred to in Article 3.2.4.22. has a provision to override the automatic signal to allow the transmission of voice messages through silenced audible signal device circuits that serve the dwelling units.

(14) If a 2 stage fire alarm system has been installed with an automatic signal silence as described in Sentence (13), the system shall be designed so that any silenced audible signal devices serving dwelling units are reactuated whenever an alarm signal is required to be transmitted as part of the second stage.

(1) Visual signal devices required by Sentences 3.2.4.18.(4) and 3.2.4.19.(7) and (8) shall be installed so that the signal from at least one device is visible throughout the floor area or portion of it in which they are installed.

(2) Visual signal devices permitted by Sentence 3.2.4.18.(5) shall be installed so that the signal from at least one device is visible throughout the compartment in which they are installed.

(1) Smoke alarms conforming to CAN/ULC-S531, “Smoke Alarms”, shall be installed in each dwelling unit and, except for care or detention occupancies required to have a fire alarm system, in each sleeping room not within a dwelling unit.

(2) At least one smoke alarm shall be installed on each storey and mezzanine of a dwelling unit.

(3) On any storey of a dwelling unit containing sleeping rooms, a smoke alarm shall be installed in a location between the sleeping rooms and the remainder of the storey, and if the sleeping rooms are served by a hallway, the smoke alarm shall be located in the hallway.

(4) A smoke alarm shall be installed on or near the ceiling.

(5) A smoke alarm shall be installed with permanent connections to an electrical circuit and shall have no disconnect switches between the overcurrent device and the smoke alarm.

(6) If more than one smoke alarm is required in a dwelling unit, the smoke alarms shall be wired so that the actuation of one smoke alarm will cause all smoke alarms within the dwelling unit to sound.

(7) A smoke alarm required by Sentence (1) shall be installed in conformance with CAN/ULC-S553, “Installation of Smoke Alarms”.

(8) A manually operated device is permitted to be incorporated within the circuitry of a smoke alarm installed in a dwelling unit so that it will silence the signal emitted by the smoke alarm for a period of not more than 10 min, after which the smoke alarm will reset and again sound the alarm if the level of smoke in the vicinity is sufficient to reactuate the smoke alarm.

(9) The sound patterns of smoke alarms shall be significantly different from the temporal patterns of alarm signals.

(1) A voice communication system required by Subsection 3.2.6.v1 or Clause 3.3.2.4.(14)(f)v1 shall consist of,

(a) a 2-way communication system in each floor area, with connections to the central alarm and control facility and to the mechanical control centre, and

(b) loudspeakers operated from the central alarm and control facility that are designed and located so as to be audible and the messages intelligible in all parts of the building, except that this requirement does not apply to elevator cars.

(2) The voice communication system referred to in Sentence (1) shall include a means to silence the alarm signal in a single stage fire alarm system while voice messages are being transmitted, but only after the alarm signal has initially sounded for not less than 30 s.

(3) The voice communication system referred to in Sentence (1) shall include a means to silence the alert signal and the alarm signal in a 2 stage fire alarm system while voice messages are being transmitted, but only after the alert signal has initially sounded for not less than,

(a) 10 s in hospitals that have supervisory personnel on duty for twenty-four hours each day, or

(b) 30 s for all other occupancies.

(4) The voice communication system referred to in Clause (1)(b) shall be designed so that the alarm signal can be selectively transmitted to any zone or zones while maintaining an alert signal or selectively transmitting voice messages to any other zone or zones in the building.

(5) The 2-way communication system referred to in Clause (1)(a) shall be installed so that emergency telephones are located in each floor area near exit stair shafts.