Ontario Fire Alarm Technician Update Course

“Fire Alarm Industry Codes and Standards Update - for Ontario”

The Objective of this course is to ensure fire alarm technician training is up to date through the delivery of informative and current knowledgeable content in regards to application of current Codes and Standards. 
  • Required by the Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal for Ontario Technician update and registration renewal.
  • A valuable update for anyone requiring knowledge of the industry’s recently released codes and standards.
 IMPORTANT Commencing August 1st, 2010, ALL Ontario-based, CFAA-Registered Technicians will be required to provide evidence that they have successfully completed both the Codes and Standards Update (CSU) Course as well as the related Recertification Exam before being eligible to renew their Technician Registration with the Canadian Fire Alarm Association.   Technicians are able to carry out their duties until their current registration expires.
 
Exception: Ontario Technicians who took a CFAA Fire Alarm Technology Classroom Course from a qualified Ontario college in the 2007 or later timeframe do not have to take the online Update Course as they were taught using current codes and standards information. Please contact the CFAA Administration Office for any clarification on your status.
 
Once you register, the course is available to you for 120 days.
It is therefore critical that you register NOW.
This will ensure that your Technician status is maintained in good order to meet the requirements of the Ontario Fire Marshal and of all the Authorities Having Jurisdiction in Ontario.
 
The past two years has seen the introduction and adoption of new editions of:
  • the National Building Code,
  • the National Fire Code,
  • CAN/ULC-S524 Installation of Fire Alarm Systems,
  • CAN/ULC-S537 Verification of Fire Alarm Systems, and
  • CAN/ULC –S536 Inspection and Testing of Fire Alarm Systems.
Subsequent to the release of the new national codes, have come new editions of provincial building and fire codes.
 
The Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal stipulates that this update process is an inherent part of the CFAA educational program.
It is therefore mandatory that each existing CFAA Technician in Ontario access the update course materials, successfully complete the associated exam(s), and advise CFAA Administration of completion.
CFAA Administration will then update your records and issue you a new “Updated” Technician card. 
This “Updated” card will indicate that you have successfully completed the Update Course.
This course is now available through a web-based, interactive, educational facility, to enable the greatest number of our existing Technicians to avail themselves of it in the most direct manner possible.
The Technician update course is titled “Fire Alarm Industry Codes and Standards Update”, Course # ELCL 9073.
  • It is offered online by George Brown College in collaboration with the Canadian Fire Alarm Association.
  • It is designed for and required by Ontario Fire Alarm Technicians in order to renew their registration with the CFAA in 2009. 
  • It is a requirement of the The Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal
  • It is also appropriate for anyone who requires an update of the industry's recently released codes and standards.
 
STEP 1:  BEFORE TAKING THE COURSE
Please review, on this website, the brief  “BEFORE TAKING THE COURSE” presentation. This presentation answers questions such as . . .
  • Why do I have to take this course?
  • How is the course structured?
  • How long does the course take?
  • How can I get help while taking the course?
  • What standards and codes manuals do I need while taking this course?
  • How do I register?
(NOTE: This presentation requires Adobe Flash Player for proper viewing. It is downloadable free from ADOBEif you do not have it.)
                                  
STEP 2:  REGISTER AND COMPLETE THE ONLINE COURSE
 
  • The course study modules can be taken either online or offline using CD's supplied to all registrants, however, course tests and the final exam must be done online on the George Brown site.
  • To register, access George Brown College’s Online Distance Education at  “Fire Alarm Industry Codes and Standards Update Course”
 
STEP 3: WRITE THE FINAL EXAM AT THE NEAREST CERTIFIED EXAM CENTRE
  • Students who have completed the course will have received an online Academic Statement of Completion. 
  • The students must present this documentation as confirmation for completing the course as well as photo ID when they write the final exam.
     
STEP 4: RECEIVE YOUR FINAL EXAM TRANSCRIPT
  • George Brown College will issue you an online Course Certificate/Transcript.
 
STEP 5:  OBTAIN YOUR NEW “UPDATED” TECHNICIAN CARD
  • When you have successfully completed the Update Course and passed the final exam, contact the CFAA Administration Office to obtain your “Updated” Technician card.
  • If your successful completion coincides with your renewal time, you will be issued an “Updated” Technician card at renewal time.
 
 Enjoy the course.
 

FAQ’s   -  Frequently Asked Questions 

 
Why is the course mandatory?
 
  • The Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal stipulates that this update process is an inherent part of the CFAA educational program. It is therefore mandatory that each existing CFAA Technician in Ontario (that qualified prior to 2007) access the update course materials, successfully complete the associated exam(s), and advise CFAA Administration of completion.
 
 
Why do I have to take the course? I recently took and passed the CFAA Fire Alarm Technology Course at an Ontario College. I’m therefore up to date and should not have to take the Update Course.
 
Ontario Technicians who took a CFAA Fire Alarm Technology Classroom Course from a qualified Ontario college in the 2007 or later timeframe do not have to take the online Update Course as they were taught using current codes and standards information. Please contact the CFAA Administration Office for any clarification on your status.
 
What is the cost of the course?
 
           Prior to August 1, 2010, $325 CDN.  Plus, there was an additional administration fee of $50 for the final exam.
           
            After August 1, 2010, a course fee increase may take effect. See the George Brown website for details at
            The additional administration fee for the final EX11 exam is now  $100 .
 
 
How do I take the course if I do not have a computer or access to the internet?
 
Although the course is available online, the course STUDY modules can be taken offline using CD's supplied to all registrants. However, course TESTS and the FINAL EXAM must be done online on the George Brown website.
 
You can take any or all of the course study modules, the tests or the final exam on one of our computers at the CFAA Administration Office in Markham, Ontario, at no extra charge.
Otherwise you will need to borrow the use of a computer from a friend, from the company that you work for, or from a Public Library.
 
 
What Codes & Standards will I require while I am taking the course and/or writing the final exam?
 
You will require the OBC 2006, the OFC 2007, and three fire alarm system related ULC Standards.
 
Both the Ontario Building Code and the Ontario Fire Code will be available online to the student when the student is taking the online "Update" course on the George Brown website.
 
You will need to purchase the three ULC standards if you do not have the most recent issues. Perhaps your company can lend you their copies.
 
If you take the course, and/or write the final exam at the CFAA Administration Office in Markham, Ontario, all the above required Codes & Standards will be available for your reference. (Although it is recommended that you bring your own copies if you wish to mark them up or tab them for your own convenience.)
 
If you need to obtain the ULC Standards:   

 

  • A great discount is available to Registered Fire Alarm Technicians. See "Order Online"

     

    What if I my registration renewal isn't until later in 2010 or in 2011 ?
     
    You will still be required to take the Update Course and successfully complete the final exam before being eligible to renew your registration.  
    Upon notice to the CFAA office of the successful completion of the course, you will be issued an updated photo id badge. 
     
     
    How long will the Update Course be available ?
     
    The course will remain available for the time being, but will be discontinued in the future on a date yet to be established.
    It is therefore critical to register for the course NOW, as once registered, you have 120 days to finish the course.
    You are encouraged to enroll without further delay in order to remain in good standing within the CFAA Technician Program and your Authority Having Jurisdiction.
     
     
    What about Technicians in provinces other than Ontario ?  When will an Update Course based on other Provincial Fire and Building Codes be available?
     
    A Canada-wide National Update Course is planned for availability in the future.
     
     
    Is the current Update Course recommended for Technicians in provinces/territories other than Ontario anyway ?
     
    No. A national course will follow.
     
     
    Will future Update Courses reflect individual specific provincial/territorial Fire Codes and Building Codes?
     
    Yes, this is being considered.
     
     
    For an Ontario renewal that is due now, or soon, and there isn't time to take the course before a registration expires, can a technician renew anyway, now, and take
    the course later in the year?
     
    No. This was only true prior to July 2010. The Update Course must be COMPLETED before you are eligible to renew your registration and to remain in good standing on the CFAA Technician database.
     
     
    What is the deadline for FINISHING the course and obtaining an "Updated" Technician card?
     
    Ontario Technicians must successfully complete the Update Course in order to be eligible to renew their Technician registration. However it is critical to register for the course NOW, as once registered, you have 120 days to finish the course.
     
     
    Is there a minimum pass mark?
     
                    70% is the minimum
     
     
    Where can I take the exam?
     
                  At any one of the following:  (further details will be available when you complete the course.)
    • The George Brown Test Centre
    • A Community College that has been coordinated with the  George Brown College
    • At the CFAA Administration Office in Markham
     
     
    What happens if I don't pass the final exam? Is there a course re-take fee? Is there an exam re-write fee?
     
    Once you register, the Update Course is available to you for 120 days.
    We recommend you write the final at a testing centre within 80 days of registering so that if you do not pass, you will be able to access the course for another 40 days before re-writing the final exam.
    There will be another $100 fee to re-write the final exam.
     
    Re-registering to retake the Update Course after the 120 day registration expiry would require payment of a second full course fee.
     
     
    What are my minimum computer requirements in order to take the online course?
     
    You will need to meet these technical requirements to access and take the Update Course:
    • Any new Windows-based PC purchased within the past three years will likely be adequate
    • 16 MB RAM
    • Explorer 8 or higher
    • Internet Explorer 6 or higher
    • Internet access E-mail