Annual Fire Alarm Inspection Changes – A Technician’s Quick Guide
Ray Dulac, Lifeline Group of Companies
Steve Lott, EPI Fire Protection
Chris Ramenda, Onyx Fire Protection Services Inc.
The fire alarm industry in Ontario will experience a significant shift with the adoption of CAN/ULC 536:2024 Standard for Inspecting and Testing of Fire Alarm Systems. This revision introduces comprehensive changes that fundamentally alter the approach to annual inspections, requiring technicians to adapt their methodologies and substantially increase inspection duration.
Key Changes for Technicians
- Inspection reports are now a minimum of 18 pages with standardized format
- New circuit fault tolerance testing procedures can add hours to an annual inspection depending on the building
- Battery testing takes up to 10x longer with new silent accelerated test methods
- 16 types of documents must be verified and documented on-site
- Enhanced deficiency tracking and correction procedures
- Technician log included in standardized report
Technical Procedure Changes
Circuit Fault Tolerance Testing
One of the most impactful changes involves circuit fault tolerance testing procedures. Under the new standard, technicians must test each National Building Code isolated zone individually, creating and testing open, ground, and short faults systematically on each isolated zone. The process requires verification that all other zones outside the isolated area function properly during fault conditions, with results documented on the standardized 23.3 Circuit Fault Tolerance Test Sheet. This procedure scales directly with system complexity, making it a major time factor in inspection duration.
In-suite Audible Testing
Buildings equipped with isolator modules will experience significantly extended testing periods. The standard now mandates testing within each suite under alarm conditions, with specific requirements that "the wire-to-wire short circuit fault shall not interfere with the ability of devices in other dwelling units, public corridors, or suites to sound the alarm." This requirement adds considerable complexity to the inspection process, particularly in multi-unit residential buildings.
Battery Testing Protocol
Perhaps the most time-consuming change involves battery testing protocols. The use of battery capacity meters is no longer acceptable, requiring technicians to follow one of three approved testing methods exclusively. The new Silent Accelerated Test Method requires a 200W, 5-ohm load resistor which increases testing time from 27 seconds to 5 minutes per battery set as compared with using a “cell checker” load tester. When factoring in setup and takedown procedures, each battery set can require 10 minutes or more, representing a tenfold increase in testing duration.
The documentation of load test results and battery condition shall be recorded on 22.5 Emergency Power Supply Test and Inspection. The following illustration shows how to test batteries in compliance with:
Documentation Requirements
Documentation on site
The standard mandates that all 16 documents referenced in section 21.1 must be available on-site during inspections. While unavailable documentation is not classified as a deficiency in CAN/ULC 536:2024 (unlike CAN/ULC 537:2019), technicians must identify and document any missing system documentation in accordance with section 7.5.
New Inspection Report Requirements
The new standardized reporting system eliminates the flexibility previously available to inspection companies. Key restrictions include:
- Prohibition on removing, reordering, or deleting report sections
- Mandatory completion of all fields with no blank entries permitted
- Minimum 18-page reports for all systems, regardless of complexity
- Required use of standard terminology and descriptions
- Limited customization options, restricted to company logo placement in designated areas
Enhanced Deficiency Management
All deficiencies must now be tracked on a unified master document, requiring the building owner or owner representative's signature only when all deficiencies have been corrected. Each identified deficiency must include the specific CAN/ULC 536:2024 clause that justifies the deficiency. Additionally, the report revision date must be updated at the time of deficiency repair, creating a clear trail for compliance.
Technician Attendance Documentation
The standard introduces mandatory technician attendance logging, requiring the primary technician to document date and time in/out, printed name, and certification number for every day spent on-site. This requirement creates additional administrative overhead while enhancing accountability.
New Testing Procedures
Air Sampling Detectors
Defined testing methods are now mandatory and must follow specific sensitivity verification procedures (see 14.4.4). The standardized report requires the detector response time and sensitivity levels to be documented.
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Carbon Monoxide Detectors connected to the fire alarm system shall be inspected to confirm that they are installed as designed and that the orientation will detect the hazard (see 14.6.1). In accordance with 14.6.2, new alarm signal requirements, enhanced testing protocols, and specific documentation for these devices is required.
Wireless Devices
Wireless device testing now encompasses three critical areas: physical tampering verification, battery level and replacement date confirmation, and communication testing with the control panel. These requirements address the growing prevalence of wireless technology in modern fire alarm systems.
Annex Considerations
The standard's annex section provides detailed breakdowns that warrant careful review by industry professionals. Section A3.29, addressing detector placement deficiencies, has generated significant industry debate. Should this annex section be deemed enforceable by the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), it could serve as justification for redesigning existing protection systems, potentially requiring changes from spot-type detectors to air sampling systems in both existing and proposed installations.
Industry Impact
The implementation of CAN/ULC 536:2024 represents more than procedural updates; it fundamentally reshapes the fire alarm inspections. Technicians must adapt to longer inspection periods, enhanced documentation requirements, and more rigorous testing procedures. Companies must adjust scheduling, pricing models, and resource allocation to accommodate these changes while maintaining service quality and regulatory compliance.
The standardization of reporting formats, while reducing flexibility, creates consistency across the industry and potentially improves communication between stakeholders.
As the industry adapts to these changes, ongoing education and training will be essential to ensure technicians can effectively navigate these new requirements while maintaining the high safety standards that fire alarm systems are designed to provide.
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