English | Français

• National Canadian Fire Alarm Codes and Standards
• Provincial Codes and Standards
• Codes and Standard Organizations
• Jurisdictional Requirements
• Purchase Codes and Standards
• Annual Inspection Time Estimator for Owners and Managers

Jurisdictional Authority Websites

Alberta Fire Commissioner: http://www.municipalaffairs.alberta.ca/cp_fire_codes_standards.cfm

British Columbia Fire Commissioner: http://www.embc.gov.bc.ca/ofc/legislation/index.htm

Manitoba Fire Commissioner: http://www.firecomm.gov.mb.ca/legislation_acts_regs.html

New Brunswick OFM: http://laws.gnb.ca/en/ShowTdm/cs/F-13/

Newfoundland & Labrador Government: http://www.gov.nl.ca/fes/agency/legislation.html

North West Territories Government: http://www.maca.gov.nt.ca/?page_id=1128

Nova Scotia OFM: http://novascotia.ca/lae/firesafety/

Nunavut Government: http://www.justice.gov.nu.ca/apps/authoring/dspPage.aspx?page=CONSOLIDATED+STATUTES+AND+REGS+CURRENT+TO+APRIL99&letter=*

Ontario O.F.M. - The Office of the Fire Marshal (Ontario): http://www.ofm.gov.on.ca/english/FireMarshal/Legislation/Overview/Legislation_main.html

O.F.M. of Prince Edward Island: http://www.gov.pe.ca/jps/index.php3?number=1005242&lang=E

Quebec Government: https://www.rbq.gouv.qc.ca/index.php?id=3004

Saskatchewan Government:http://gr.gov.sk.ca/OFC-/Legislation-Regulations

Yukon Government: http://www.gov.yk.ca/legislation/regs/co1976_079.pdf

Jurisdictional Requirements

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR PERSONS
  PERFORMINGTESTS, INSPECTIONS AND MAINTENANCE
OF FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS IN CANADA

(BY PROVINCE & TERRITORY)

This information has been provided by each appropriate jurisdiction. 

NOTE - PLEASE CHECK WITH YOUR LOCAL AUTHORITY HAVING JURISDICTION FOR MORE DETAILS AND FOR ANY RECENT CHANGES. 
Some local municipal jurisdictions may have passed bylaws or established policy requiring other or additional specific qualifications. Persons should communicate with their local authority to determine acceptability of their qualifications.

Links to the various jurisdictional qualifications listed on this page:
 

Alberta

TOP        AB-- BC-- MB-- NB-- NF-- NT-- NS-- NU-- ON-- PE-- QC-- SK-- YK

British Columbia

At the present time, there are on-going discussions regarding the legalities of inspections, testing and maintenance of fire alarm systems in the British Columbia. The Codes and Standards Coordinator of the British Columbia Office of the Fire Marshall is dealing with this issue at the moment.

For the time being, in British Columbia, the following remains in effect until announced differently:

Some municipalities in British Columbia, especially in the Lower Mainland, have a bylaw in place requiring Applied Science Technologists & Technicians certification.

The British Columbia Fire Code requires that fire alarm systems be inspected and tested in conformance with CAN/ULC-S536-97. In APPENDIX A, QUALIFIED PERSONNEL states: "Any person who performs the annual test and inspection of a fire alarm system should be familiar with this Standard and have received suitable formal training or sufficient experience acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction."

NOTE: At the time of preparation of this standard, it is considered that the following courses may provide suitable formal training:
(i) The Canadian Fire Alarm Association "Fire Alarm Technology Program"
(ii) Electrical Trades Updating course - "Fire Alarm and Protection Systems"

For more information, go to http://www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/firecom/

TOP        AB-- BC-- MB-- NB-- NF-- NT-- NS-- NU-- ON-- PE-- QC-- SK-- YK

Manitoba

INSTALLATIONS:
Manitoba Electrical Code requires fire alarm systems to be installed by a Journeyman Electrician.

TESTING, INSPECTION and MAINTENANCE:
L'INSPECTION, LA MISE À L'ESSAI ET L'ENTRETIEN
Manitoba Fire Code requires the following:

6.3.1.1. Maintenance
6.3.1.1. Entretien

(1)Fire alarm systems, voice communication systems and system components shall be maintained only by a person acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction and shall be maintained in operating condition at all times.
1) Les réseaux avertisseurs d'incendie, les réseaux de communication phonique et les divers composants de ces systèmes doivent toujours être maintenus en bon état de fonctionnement par une personne que l'autorité compétente juge acceptable.

6.3.1.6. Qualification of Service Personnel
6.3.1.6. Qualification du personnel d'entretien

(1) Any person who performs inspections, tests or maintenance on fire alarm systems and components

(a)shall have successfully completed the Fire Alarm Technician Certificate Program approved by the Canadian Fire Alarm Association,
(b)shall have successfully completed any other program or course recognized by the Department of Labour,

1) Les personnes qui sont chargées de l'inspection, de la mise à l'essai et de l'entretien des réseaux avertisseurs d'incendie et de leurs composants doivent :

a)avoir suivi avec succès le Programme de formation sur les systèmes d'alarme d'incendie approuvé par l'Association canadienne d'alarmes d'incendie ;

b)avoir suivi avec succès un autre programme ou cours que reconnaît le ministère du Travail ;

(c) shall work under the on-site supervision of a person who has completed the program or course required by clause (a) or (b), or

(d)shall work with a fire alarm company listed under the Fire Alarm Certificate Service of Underwriters' Laboratories of Canada (ULC).

c)travailler sous la surveillance immédiate d'une personne qui a suivi un programme ou un cours que vise l'alinéa a) ou b) ; ou

d)travailler pour une compagnie d'alarme d'incendie inscrite au Programme de certification des réseaux avertisseurs d'incendie du Laboratoire des assureurs du Canada.

The above Manitoba Fire Code Information is available at www.firecomm.gov.mb.ca/home.html

TOP      AB-- BC-- MB-- NB-- NF-- NT-- NS-- NU-- ON-- PE-- QC-- SK-- YK

New Brunswick

Fire alarms must be installed by qualified persons in New Brunswick. There is no additional legislation beyond the National Building of Canada and the National Fire Code. The Building Code refers to the Underwriters Laboratory standards that must be followed for installation and certification.

Qualified persons would mean anyone "acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction" which would be an electrician or Fire Alarm Technician.

For more information, go to www.gnb.ca/0276/fire/

TOP        AB-- BC-- MB-- NB-- NF-- NT-- NS-- NU-- ON-- PE-- QC-- SK-- YK

Newfoundland & Labrador

Persons working on fire alarm systems in the province of Newfoundland must abide by the FIRE PREVENTION SMOKE AND FIRE ALARM REGULATIONS as specified within the FIRE PREVENTION ACT,1991, which, in part, states as follows:

6.(3) The installation and verification of all newly installed fire alarm and detection systems and voice communications systems used in conjunction with fire alarm systems shall comply with all applicable reference standards, or those standards that may be determined by the fire commissioner.

[(One of the applicable reference standards listed in these regulations is CAN/ULC-S536-97 which states in Appendix A, QUALIFIED PERSONNEL: "Any person who performs the annual test and inspection of a fire alarm system should be familiar with this Standard and have received suitable formal training or sufficient experience acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction. At the time of preparation of this standard, it is considered that the following courses may provide suitable formal training:
(i) The Canadian Fire Alarm Association "Fire Alarm Technology Program"
(ii) Electrical Trades Updating course - "Fire Alarm and Protection Systems"

6.(5) Qualified personnel performing tests and maintenance on fire alarm and detection systems shall follow the requirements of CAN/ULC-S536-97.

6.(6) An agency shall not perform maintenance, repair, inspection, testing or verification of an installed fire alarm system until, in the opinion of the fire commissioner, the agency.....
- (a) has sufficient knowledge of the fire alarm systems;
- (b) possesses the necessary testing equipment; and
- (c) has received a permit to that effect.

For more information, go to http://www.gov.nl.ca/fes/

TOP        AB-- BC-- MB-- NB-- NF-- NT-- NS-- NU-- ON-- PE-- QC-- SK-- YK

North West Territories

The National Fire Code of Canada, 1995 Edition and the National Building Code of Canada, 1995 Edition are adopted under the NWT Fire Prevention Act Fire Prevention Regulations. As such, all installations of fire alarm systems must conform with the NBC 1995.

Additionally, verification of fire alarm systems must be done by a qualified representative of the alarm system manufacturer.

Any maintenance work done on the alarm system must be done by a NWT journeyman class electrician supervised by or recognized by the manufacturer as qualified to work on their systems.

Daily, weekly and monthly checks of an existing fire alarm system can be performed by the building owner or his/her representative.

Semi-Annual and Annual inspections must be done by a qualified NWT journeyman electrician supervised by or recognized by the manufacturer as qualified to work on their systems.

For more information, go to www..gov.nt.ca

TOP        AB-- BC-- MB-- NB-- NF-- NT-- NS-- NU-- ON-- PE-- QC-- SK-- YK

Nova Scotia

This province, while in the process of reviewing legislation concerning the design, installation and maintenance of all fire protection equipment, including fire alarm systems, does not yet have legislative requirements for the certification of fire alarm maintenance personnel. Presently we are following the ULC standards for design, installation, certification and maintenance of fire alarm systems.

(Note: CAN/ULC-S536-97 "Standard for the Inspection and Testing of Fire Alarm Systems" and CAN/ULC-S537-97 "Standard for the Verification of Fire Alarm Systems" both state that any person who performs annual test and inspection or verification of a fire alarm system should be familiar with these applicable Standards and have received suitable formal training or sufficient experience acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction.
The Standards also state that at the time of preparation of the Standards, it is considered that the following courses may provide suitable formal training:
(i) The Canadian Fire Alarm Association - "Fire Alarm Technology Program", or
(ii) Electrical Trades Updating course - "Fire Alarm and Protection Systems"

For more information, go to www.gov.ns.ca/enla/ofm/

 TOP        AB-- BC-- MB-- NB-- NF-- NT-- NS-- NU-- ON-- PE-- QC-- SK-- YK

Nunavut

Nunavut has adopted all the current Requirements and Standards that were in effect in the NWT on April ,1 1999.

See North West Territories above for details.

For more information, go to www.gov.nu.ca

 
TOP        AB-- BC-- MB-- NB-- NF-- NT-- NS-- NU-- ON-- PE-- QC-- SK-- YK

Ontario

     The 2006 Ontario Building Code requires fire alarm systems to be INSTALLED in conformance with CAN/ULC-S524-2006, “Standard for the Installation of Fire Alarm Systems”, and VERIFIED in conformance with CAN/ULC-S537-2004, Standard for the Verification of Fire Alarm Systems”.

The 2007 Ontario Fire Code also requires fire alarm systems to be INSPECTED and TESTED in conformance with CAN/ULC-S536-2004, “Inspection and Testing of Fire Alarm Systems”. 

Division C Subsection 1.2.1 of the Ontario Fire Code requires that persons performing annual tests or annual inspections of fire alarm systems, or carrying out maintenance and repairs of these systems, shall have successfully completed a program or course acceptable to the Fire Marshal.

 Alternatively these persons can be site supervised by someone who has successfully completed such a program or course. This is in addition to other Ontario legislation that requires electrical work to be conducted by an qualified electrician, where applicable.

The 2007 Ontario Fire Code also makes building ownersresponsible for confirming that fire alarm technicians (or their site supervisors) working on thefire alarm systems have successfully completed a fire alarm training program acceptable to the Fire Marshal.

The Office of the Fire Marshal has established a Fire Alarm Training Program Review (FATPR) committee. This committee evaluates fire alarm training programs submitted for review to determine whether they satisfy the requirements of Division C Subsection 1.2.1.

The committee is made up of public and private sector representatives with a cumulative wide-ranging background on fire alarm systems, life safety and educational programs.

To date, two fire alarm training programs have been reviewed by the FATPR committee and deemed to be acceptable, meeting the requirements of the 2007 Ontario Fire Code. The two programs and their providers are as follows:

Each fire alarm technician that successfully completes an accepted program receivesa wallet-sized identification card from the program provider. The card, as a minimum, includes the name and a photo of the technician, the program provider's name along with an authorization signature, and an expiry date. As well, the card incorporates a statement of Fire Marshal acceptance of the program that reads, "This program is deemed acceptable to the Fire Marshal and satisfies the requirements of Division C Subsection 1.2.1 of the 2007 Ontario Fire Code."

Confirmation of a fire alarm technician's I. D. card status can be obtained by going to either the www.ecao.orgwebsite or the CFAA web site Technician Registry.

For further information contact the OFM's Fire Safety Standards Section at (416) 325-3100 or go to www.ofm.gov.on.ca

TOP        AB-- BC-- MB-- NB-- NF-- NT-- NS-- NU-- ON-- PE-- QC-- SK-- YK

Prince Edward Island

Requirements will be added when received.

For more information, go to www.gov.pe.ca/caag/pais-info/index.asp

TOP        AB-- BC-- MB-- NB-- NF-- NT-- NS-- NU-- ON-- PE-- QC-- SK-- YK

Quebec

Requirements will be added when received.

For more information, go to www.gouv.qc.ca
 

TOP        AB-- BC-- MB-- NB-- NF-- NT-- NS-- NU-- ON-- PE-- QC-- SK-- YK

Saskatchewan

In most of Saskatchewan (see *NOTES for exceptions below), the Province does not regulate companies which inspect, test and maintain fire alarm systems. The Province, under the authority of The Fire Prevention Act, 1992 does however adopt the National Fire Code 1995 under the Saskatchewan Fire Code Regulations.  Standards related to Fire Safety Systems established under the NFC-95 and related reference standards apply.

Inspection, test and maintenance is typically done by manufacturer's representatives.

Theinstallation of such systems does however fall within the scope of The Electrical Licensing Act and The Electrical Inspection Act.  Initial installation, alteration or repair of systems involving the connection, disconnection and re-connection of hard wired components requires the services of a licensed contractor and licensed journeyman.

*NOTE#1 - As of  2002, the City of Saskatoon Fire Dept. requires that ALL persons doing inspections (as well as the business they work for), have a current CFAA certificate, and are required to stay in good standing with the CFAA. Contact the Saskatoon Fire department for further details.

*NOTE#2 - Other local jurisdictions in Saskatchewan may have passed bylaws or established policy requiring specific qualifications for persons testing fire alarms systems. Persons should communicate with local authority to determine acceptability of their qualifications.

For more information, go to www.cps.gov.sk.ca/Safety/fire/default.shtml

TOP        AB-- BC-- MB-- NB-- NF-- NT-- NS-- NU-- ON-- PE-- QC-- SK-- YK

Yukon

In order to work on fire alarms in the Yukon a company must be a Registered, Licensed, Bonded Electrical Contractor with a minimum of a "C" class Contractor rating. The company must be ULC certified. The "C" rating indicates that the contractor is a qualified electrician under the Electrical Protection Act and Regulations. There is no provision for Fire Alarm Technicians as such in the act and regs, however we would not prevent a Fire Alarm Technician from working for a Qualified Electrical Contractor.

For more information, go to www.gov.yk.ca

TOP        AB-- BC-- MB-- NB-- NF-- NT-- NS-- NU-- ON-- PE-- QC-- SK-- YK