BE23EV867453

Changes to ULC Fire Alarm Standards

Louis-Philippe (Phil) Gagnon

May 30, 2023

© 2023 UL LLC. All rights reserved.

CAN/ULC-S524 – CAN/ULC- S537 – CAN/ULC-S536

Significant Alignment of the 3 Fire Alarm Standards

Standards were developed together for consistency

• National Building Code 2020 to reference the 2019 editions of S524, S537
• National Fire Code 2020 to reference the 2019 edition of CAN/ULC-S536

Here is how it is supposed to work:

I. how a fire alarm system is supposed to be installed (S524)

II. how to confirm it actually is done correctly (S537)
III. how to regularly test it to confirm it still works properly (S536)

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CAN/ULC-S524-2019
I. Updated and simplified drawings;
II. Use of wireless (short-range radio frequency) devices;
III. Circuit fault tolerance requirements and the installation of fault isolators;
IV. Data communication link style N (DCLN) circuits and ethernet wiring;
V. Allowing a FAS to also function as a mass notification system;
VI. Uninterruptible power supplies (UPS); Standby power
VII. The use of smoke detectors in lieu of smoke alarms in suites of residential occupancy;
VIII. Requirements for carbon monoxide or gas and vapour detectors connected to the fire
alarm system; and
IX. Use of carbon monoxide detectors in lieu of carbon monoxide alarms.

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Fault Isolators
Since the 2001 edition of S524, more clauses were added in future editions to
describe different types of fault isolators:

10.2 FAULT ISOLATORS...

10.2.1 Field Device Data Fault Isolators...
10.2.2 Network Data Fault Isolators...
10.2.3 Audio Buss Fault Isolators...
10.2.4 Field Device Power Buss Fault Isolators...
10.2.5 Equipment Power Buss Fault Isolators...
10.2.6 Suite Fault Isolators...

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Fault Isolators
• S524- 01 up until 2019 edition recognized fire alarm zone as an area up to 2000 sq. metres
• 2019 to define zones as National Building Code zones to avoid confusion .
• Any fault on one NBC zone will not affect another zone from operating.

• 2019 Edition
• fault tolerance requirements encompass ALL CIRCUITS leaving a fire alarm control
panel. It doesn’t matter if the circuit is an addressable loop or conventional zone
or power riser, etc. The common requirement which applies to all circuits is that a
fault on that circuit cannot affect other zones.

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CAN/ULC-S524-2019
18 Circuit Fault Tolerance

NOTE: Refer to Annex A (Informative) Explanatory Materials, A.18, Circuit Fault

Tolerance.

18.1 Except as permitted in 18.3, where any type of fire alarm circuit serves more than
one National Building Code of Canada required fire alarm zone, a single fault (open
circuit fault, short circuit fault or ground fault) shall not prevent the normal operation
of input or output field devices in more than one National Building Code of Canada
required fire alarm zone.

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Resounding Feature
• Conventional vs Addressable Devices- previous editions of the standards did not align.

• Conventional – activate one device on a zone and signals are silenced- no other alarm will
sound on that zone. Resounding will only happen if the smoke travels to another zone

• Addressable- activate one device on a zone and the signals are silenced – another device on
that zone can be activated and an alarm will sound.

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Resounding Feature – S524 - 2019

The new edition of the standard confirms that re-sounding of signals is based on the spread of fire to new
fire zones – just as annunciation of fire conditions is based on the status of fire zones, rather than individual
detectors.

8.1.4 One active (“active” means “addressable”) field device in each zone shall be operated to confirm
appropriate output circuit operation. Other active field devices within the zone may be tested with the output
circuits inhibited. A printout of the input to output software correlation report shall be provided as part of the
verification documentation.
NOTE: When testing the system to confirm proper resound operation, a single fire alarm device is to be
operated, then the fire alarm control unit is to have its signals silenced, and then another fire alarm device is
to be operated within the same zone to confirm that alarm signal resound DOES NOT occur. [See 8.3.1(o)].

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CAN/ULC-S537 – CAN/ULC-S536

Forms and Documentation

© 2023 UL LLC. All rights reserved.

CAN/ULC- S536 and S537 Forms
• In past editions of S537 & S536, the fire alarm system testing report was always a
“suggested format” as it was found in the Appendix section of the Standard. Companies
were permitted to deviate from the report format because it was “just an Appendix”
suggestion and was not contained in the main body of the Standard.

• That non-standard type of Inspection Report is no longer acceptable.

• Test Report format has been embedded within the body of the Standard instead
of just the Appendix. In result, every test report must reflect the format of the
version shown in the 2019 standards – or the report will not comply.
• CAN/ULC-S537 and CAN/ULC-S536 Forms are Mandatory- All sections are
required

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Report Forms - S537 and S536
For Annual Inspections per S536-2019, the same requirement applies:

4.10 The inspection and test records required by this Standard and this Section,
shall follow a tabular format as shown. Tests or inspections may not be reworded or
revised in order or format. Companies may recreate these required reports for their
use, which may contain additions such as a corporate logo as an example.

4.11 The forms in Section 20, Annual Fire Alarm System Test and Inspection
Records, shall be utilized to create the Annual Inspection and Test Records.

4.12 The forms in the Section for Monthly Fire Alarm System Test and Inspection
Record, shall be utilized to create the Monthly Inspection and Test Records.

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Deficiencies vs Recommendations
• Need for clarification when documenting deficiencies versus recommendations.

• CAN/ULC-S537 and CAN/ULC- S536

• To help technicians properly identify fire alarm system issues and concerns, the
new version of S537 includes more detailed explanations of how to document a
Deficiency vs a Recommendation or Remark. The term “Remark” has been
deleted and replaced with the “Comments”.

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Deficiencies
28.2 Deficiencies
28.2.1 For the purposes of this Standard, deficiency refers to a device or function that:
a) Does not operate as intended;
b) Is installed in a location which is not readily accessible for service, testing, maintenance purposes due to
safety considerations;
c) Is installed in an environment which is not compatible with the documented operating conditions of the
specific device; or
d) Is installed in an orientation or location not specifically indicated by the Installation Instructions of the
specific device.
NOTE: System and device installation locations may differ from those described in CAN/ULC-S524 if a
performance based design and alternate solution documents were submitted and approved by the authority
having jurisdiction for the system under test.

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Recommendations
28.3 Recommendations
28.3.1 For the purposes of this standard, Recommendation is a proposal or suggestion as to the best
course of action for improvement of system components or system operation / installation, including safety
considerations, such as:
a) Identifying antiquated or obsolete equipment;
b) Availability of newer cost effective technology; or
c) Alternate methods of detection.

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32.8 Emergency Power Supply Verification

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Emergency
Power Supply
Verification
Cont…

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Emergency Power Supply Verification Cont…

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 BE23EV867453

Fire alarm system

certification — Why ?

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Agenda

• Code references to fire alarm systems

• Process of implementation of a fire alarm system
• Most common and critical items of nonconformance
• Fire alarm system in relation to CAN/ULC-S1001
• Certification: What does it mean and why is it so critical?
• What are we exposed to when there is no certification?

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Code references

NBC NFC
3.2.4.5. Installation and Verification of Fire Alarm Systems 6.3.1.2. Inspection and Testing
1) Fire alarm systems, including the voice communication capability Fire alarm systems shall be inspected and tested in conformance
where provided, shall be installed in conformance with with CAN/ULC-S 536, the Standard for Inspection and Testing of
CAN/ULC-S 524, the Standard for Installation of Fire Alarm Fire Alarm Systems.
Systems.
2) Fire alarm systems shall be verified in conformance with
CAN/ULC-S 537, the Standard for Verification of Fire Alarm
Systems, to ensure that they are operating satisfactorily.

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Process of implementing a fire alarm system

• Designed by a professional designer in accordance with applicable building code requirements

• Installed by a qualified installer in accordance with design, Canadian Electrical Code, manufacturer’s
installation instructions and CAN/ULC-S 524, the Standard for Installation of Fire Alarm Systems
• Verified by fire alarm technician, electrician or engineer

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CAN/ULC-S 524:2014-AMD1
STANDARD FOR INSTALLATION OF FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS
1 SCOPE
1.1 This Standard describes the requirements for the design and
installation of a fire alarm system with or without voice communication
capability, as defined in Section 3, Glossary.

4.7 PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS

4.7.1 The plans and specifications for the fire alarm system shall include
a complete and detailed description of the following:
a) Sequence of operation
b) Installation instructions
c) Description of each type of field device
d) Details of input to programmed output functions for programmed
systems
e) Connection to a fire signal receiving centre, if required by the
National Building Code of Canada

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4.7.2 The plans of the building shall show the fire

alarm zoning, device address and the location of
each field device of the fire alarm system, including
fault isolators, ancillary devices and annunciators, or
display and control centres.

4.7.3 In addition to the plans required by Clause

4.7.2, a separate wiring block diagram (i.e.,
schematic and riser diagram) shall be provided
showing the interconnection of field devices, control
units, transponders, annunciators, ancillary devices,
and power supplies external to control units or
transponders.

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4.7.4 Documentation for the fire alarm system shall include the following description of the fire alarm
system:
a) Instructions for resetting the system and silencing alarm signals
b) Instructions for silencing the trouble signal and action to be taken when the trouble signal
sounds
c) Description of the function of each operating control and indicator on the fire alarm unit
d) Description of the area of fire zone protected by each alarm detection circuit (this may be
in the form of a list or plan drawing)
e) Description of the sequence of operation
f) Description of ancillary devices controlled by the fire alarm system
g) Equipment operating instructions or manuals
h) Equipment maintenance or testing instructions
i) Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR) report for fibre optical circuits
j) Name and contact information of the installing and servicing company of the fire alarm
system

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4.7.5 Documentation for a fire alarm system that provides logical control of a smoke control system
shall:
a) Include a sequence of operation of the smoke control system
b) Include a building diagram that clearly indicates the type and location of all smoke control
equipment (fans, dampers, etc.)
c) Identify the building areas that the smoke control system serves as either
i) A part of the fire smoke control system (FSCS), or
ii) A separate drawing with instructions to mount adjacent to the FSCS

NOTE: Refer to the National Building Code of Canada for the smoke control system controls
required to be provided.

4.7.6 Documentation for a fire alarm system that provides logical control of a smoke venting system
shall include a sequence of operation and identify building areas and equipment (fans, dampers, etc.)
where building exhaust systems serve as a means for smoke venting.

4.7.7 The documentation required by Clauses 4.7.1 to 4.7.6 shall be maintained on site.

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CAN/ULC-S 537-13
Verified by fire alarm technician, electrician or
engineer

APPENDIX A (INFORMATIVE) — QUALIFIED

PERSONNEL
Any person who performs the verification 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.

Standards bulletin 2006-03

Interpretation: Fire alarm system verification — number
of organizations/companies (parties) required

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CAN/ULC-S 537-13

STANDARD FOR VERIFICATION

OF FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS

1 SCOPE
1.1 This Standard prescribes inspection and test
procedures for the purpose of verifying that the fire alarm
system is installed in conformance with the design and
CAN/ULC-S 524, the Standard for Installation of Fire
Alarm Systems, and performs all of its intended functions
as designed.

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4.2 DOCUMENTATION
4.2.1 The verification inspections and tests required by this Standard shall be documented in a
report similar to that shown in Appendix C, Fire Alarm System Verification Records.

4.2.3 A description of the fire alarm system as installed, including the sequence of operation
and operating instructions, shall be available on site and documented. (Refer to Appendix
C2, Documentation, for an example of a documentation form.)

4.2.8 A copy of the verification report shall be given to the owner or the owner’s representative
for the building and be kept available on site.

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CAN/ULC-S 536-13

THE STANDARD FOR INSPECTION AND TESTING OF FIRE

ALARM SYSTEMS

APPENDIX A (INFORMATIVE) — QUALIFIED PERSONNEL

Any person who performs the annual test and
inspection of a fire alarm system should be
knowledgeable about this Standard and have
received suitable formal training or sufficient
experience acceptable to the authority having
jurisdiction.

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1. SCOPE

1.1 This Standard provides requirements for the inspection and testing of fire alarm systems and
specifies the devices and functions to be inspected, tested and documented for the periodic
inspection and test.

4.8 A description of the system, as installed at the time of the annual inspection and test,
including the sequence of operation of the system, shall be available on site and documented as
detailed in Appendix E, Description of Fire Alarm System for Inspection and Test Procedures.

5.1 DAILY
5.2 MONTHLY
6 YEARLY

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APPENDIX E (INFORMATIVE) — DESCRIPTION OF FIRE ALARM

SYSTEM FOR INSPECTION AND TEST PROCEDURES

E1 Manufacturer name and model number

E2 System operation (zoned, non-coded, single- or two-stage) — supervised circuits
E3 Location of control unit or transponders, display and control centres, annunciators, and remote trouble signal units
E4 Description of degraded mode capability operation, if applicable
E5 Sequence of operation, including but not limited to the following briefly described:
a) Alert signal and alarm signal sequence (i.e., second stage on fire floor, floor above and floor below, and first
stage throughout remainder)
b) Procedure for resetting alarm system, silencing alarm signals and acknowledging trouble
conditions
c) Identifying function of each operable switch or push button on the control unit or transponder
d) Smoke control system or fan shutdown connections present
e) Elevator homing activated by fire alarm
f) Magnetic door lock release activated by fire alarm
g) Door holder release activated by fire alarm
h) Extinguishing system activated by fire alarm
i) Transmission of signals to remote monitoring connection

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E6 General description of location of devices connected to control unit or transponder, i.e.:
a) Sprinkler flow and valve supervisory switches on a floor-by-floor basis
b) Manual pull stations at exits
c) Smoke detectors in stairwells and corridors
d) Heat detectors at the top of elevator shafts and in service and storage rooms
e) Duct type smoke detectors in air handling systems
f) Ancillary systems (kitchen extinguishing, tenant computer, etc.)
g) Bells, horns or speakers throughout
h) Emergency telephones at exits
i) Visible signal devices in public areas

E7 Voice communication equipment and operation

E8 Emergency telephone equipment and operation

E9 Emergency power supply (i.e., batteries in one central location or distributed in control units or
transponders, an emergency generator, or a combination of both) — Description of battery type,
charging procedure and maintenance

E10 System battery load calculations

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Most common and critical
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items of nonconformance

• On-site fire alarm system description document missing

• On-site fire alarm system verification report(s) missing
• On-site fire alarm system periodic inspection report(s) missing
• Equipment not installed per manufacturer’s installation instructions
• Inspection reports incorrectly and inaccurately filled out

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Fire alarm system in relation to

CAN/ULC-S 1001

STANDARD FOR INTEGRATED SYSTEMS TESTING OF FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY
SYSTEMS

1 SCOPE
1.1 This Standard prescribes the methodology for verifying and documenting that all interconnections
between systems provided for fire protection and life safety functions are installed and operating in
conformance with their design criteria. Refer to Appendix A1.1.

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5.2 INTEGRATED SYSTEMS TESTING PLANNING PHASE

5.2.1 During this phase of a project, the design professional(s) shall provide documentation
detailing each interconnection between fire protection and life safety systems to the integrated
testing coordinator. Such documentation shall include but not be limited to the following, as
applicable:
a) Building floor plan(s)
b) Fire protection and life safety system design documentation (drawings and specifications),
including:
i. Sequencing descriptions (showing coordination between mechanical and electrical
systems)
ii. Mechanical and electrical riser diagrams
c) Manufacturer’s operating and testing instructions, as requested by the integrated testing
coordinator
d) Documentation of any alternative solutions and/or deviations from the requirements of
codes and Standards

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Certification: What does it mean and why is it so

critical?
• Certification is the confirmation by an independent certification organization that a product or
service meets a requirement. Certification of a product, process or system entails physical
examination, testing as specified in the appropriate standards, site examination and follow-up
audits.
• This procedure leads to the issuing of a formal assurance or declaration by means of a certificate
that the system is in full conformity with specified provisions.

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Benefits of a certificate

• Certificates are utilized by code authorities, government bodies, the insurance industry and other
stakeholders to verify appropriate levels of protection, performance and ongoing maintenance of the
relevant fire alarm, security or integrated fire protection and life safety systems.
• A certificate on a property indicates compliance with the applicable standard.
• Third-party auditing of companies results in unbiased review for all participants and provides a level
of confidence.
• Audits also serve as education and training opportunities as applicable standards are updated from
time to time.

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Ideal scenario

1 2 3 4 5 6
Installation Verificaton of Inspections of
Code references •Designed by a Certification
of fire alarm fire alarm fire alarm
to fire alarm professional of fire alarm
systems systems systems
systems designer systems
CAN/ULC-S 524 CAN/ULC-S 537 CAN/ULC-S 536

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When there is no certification,

what are we exposed to ?

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Missing visual AC
power indicator

Inappropriate
cabinet

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Modules not installed in Noncompliant fire-

accordance with monitoring connections
manufacturer’s
instructions

Inappropriate cabinet

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Incorrect fire-
monitoring
connections

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Additional foreign
transformer

Additional foreign
relay

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Annunciator not
listed to be
installed outside

AC power
indicator is off

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Inappropriate cabinet

Modules not installed

in accordance with
manufacturer’s
instructions

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Inappropriate
cabinet

Additional foreign
relays

Modules not
installed in
accordance with
manufacturer’s
instructions

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Not listed for

use in Canada

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Non-supervised monitoring connections

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Manual station in alarm

with no mounting box

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Incorrect zone
identification

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Inappropriate
cabinet

No AC power
indicator
Missing lock

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Incorrectly installed
module

Two foreign
transformers

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Not in accordance
with CEC and
manufacturer’s Modules not
installation installed in
instructions accordance with
manufacturer’s
installation
instructions

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Keypad mounted on signal CA38A phone line jack

transmitter control unit
cabinet

Signal transmitter installed Cellular transmitter

in fire alarm cabinet

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Recap • Code references to fire alarm

systems
• Process of implementation of a fire
alarm system
• Most common and critical items of
nonconformance
• Fire alarm system in relation to
CAN/ULC-S 1001
• Certification: What does it mean and
why is it so critical?
• What are we exposed to when there
is no certification?

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