Tech-News & Views

JANUARY 2017
 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2017 promises to be an interesting year.  We extend our best wishes to all of our members and readers for a year full of joy, peace, prosperity, and good health.  Stay safe!

OUTDOOR MOUNTED FIRE ALARM ANNUNCIATORS
ADDRESSING THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM!
UPDATED!

Surrey, British Columbia - It all started innocently enough.  The phone rang and I answered like I always do:  “Fire Technicians Network, good afternoon!”.  And on that bright Thursday afternoon in November, things suddenly “went south” in a big way.  The old cliché about the shoe dropping comes to mind.  Only in this case it was the heavy steel-toed variety.  And BOTH hit the floor together. 

The contractor on the other end of the line had just received a visit from a local inspector.  The fire alarm outdoor annunciator enclosure he was in the middle of installing wasn’t properly marked.  No CSA.  No NEMA (not that this part matters in Canada).  No ULC.  So I asked him whose equipment it was...  Read more in our December 2016 Tech-NEWS  EXTRA!

CELEBRATING TEN YEARS!

Surrey, British Columbia - October 18th of this year will mark the Fire Technicians Network’s tenth anniversary.  We’re gearing up to celebrate.  Watch this space for more information!

AVOIDING THE RED ZONE!

Surrey, British Columbia - Monthly testing of building life safety equipment must be performed and documented (you can download a sample form from our FORMS page)!  The National Fire Code (currently the 2010 version is referenced in BCFC 2012), states that building owner, or their authorized agent is responsible for maintaining fire protection equipment in an operational condition in Sentence 2.2.1.1(1) of Division C. 

It’s also important to note that all:

“Records of tests, inspections, maintenance or operational procedures undertaken after the initial tests referred to in Sentence (2) shall be retained so that at least the current and the immediately preceding records are available.”
[BCFC 2012 Division C Sentence 2.2.1.2.(3)]

and,

“Notwithstanding the conditions stated in Sentence (3), no record shall be destroyed within two years of having been prepared.”
[BCFC 2012 Division C Sentence 2.2.1.2.(4)]

It goes without saying that the extinguisher depicted in this photograph IS NOT operational.  The fact that the seal is still intact suggests that there may be a leak at the valve stem.  As an owner (or building manager), it’s important to remain vigilant, because avoiding the red zone is what it’s all about!

We go indepth on fire extinguisher service and maintenance in our latest Editorial!

ASTTBC’s NEW FORMS PAGE! (UPDATED)

Surrey, British Columbia - Just in case you missed it, ASTTBC has re-established their Forms page.  It serves as a useful tool for both Building Owners and AHJs by identifying the testing forms an RFPT must submit.

One small word of caution, however.  As of January 24th, 2017, the annual test report that’s been made available is based on an outdated version of the CAN/ULC-S536 Appendix “E” Report from 1997.  The current testing Standard referenced in the British Columbia Fire Code (2012) is CAN/ULC-S536-04.  We’ve informed ASTTBC of the error and expect they should be rectifying it shortly.

UPDATE - January 30, 2017 - From the ASTTBC’s Fire Protection Forms Page:

“Please refer to your most current NFPA code for forms. Due to the frequency that these are updated, it is now the responsibility of the technician/company to ensure they have the most up-to-date documentation.

We have attached sample forms only in both WORD and PDF (please note they are not current or “fillable” and it is highly recommended that you refer to said NFPA codes)”

We’re asking the question:  Why even provide links to forms that are clearly OUTDATED?  It makes NO SENSE.

For access to up-to-date inspection forms, please visit our FORMS page!

CAN/ULC-S524-14 (Including Amendment 1) IMPORTANT UPDATE ADDRESSES WALL MOUNTED HEAT DETECTORS!

Toronto, Ontario - During the seventh meeting of the Working Group for the Standard for Installation of Fire Alarm Systems on January 24, 2017, Sentence 8.2.3.2 has been further clarified to include a specific reference to the manufacturer’s published installation instructions.  It is important for installers and personnel engaged in the Verification and annual testing of fire alarm systems to understand that a heat detector can only be wall mounted if the device has been tested AND CERTIFIED for use in this application.  We’ve amended our UL/ULC Bulletins page.  As of this date (January 24, 2017), there are NO heat detectors being sold in Canada that are listed for use in a wall-mounted configuration.  Extreme caution is advised.

Currently the ONLY exception to this rule applies to heat detectors installed in an elevator pit.  Please reference our Fire Alarm System Device Installation Guide available on our TOOLS page for more information.  The Installation Standard currently in effect in British Columiba (and most other Canadian jurisdictions) is currently CAN/ULC-S524-06.  Only smoke detectors are allowed to be wall mounted in this version.

RANDY DARRELL BARNES (December 11, 1956 - January 18, 2017)

Owen Sound, Ontario - It is with a profound sadness that we announce the passing of Randy Barnes.  Randy was an active, knowledgeable and valued member of several ULC Working Groups responsible for developing Canadian Life Safety Standards.  His good humour and personable attitude made him a genuine pleasure to work with.  Thank you, Randy.  You’ve left an indelible mark on our industry and your absence will be sorely felt.  My deepest condolences to Randy’s family, friends, and colleagues.

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