Verification / ULC 561

Professional Series – Authority Having Jurisdication

(Private / Public) & Insurance
Authority Having Jurisdiction Series
AHJ or Insurance Course (32 hours)
Required initial course
- Currently in three, one day Modules format

Plus two or more of the following CFAA Training:

Additional Requirements
a. Fire Alarm Testing, Inspection and
Maintenance (6 hours)

b. High-rise Fire Alarm Systems (6 hours)

c. Networked Fire Alarm Systems (6 hours)

d. Special Fire Alarm Applications (6 hours)

e. Fire Alarm System Monitoring (4 hours)

OR the following CFAA Training:

a. Upgrading or Replacing a Fire Alarm System

(12 hours)

Verification / ULC 561

Fire Alarm Verifications – When?
• New Installation
• Partial Occupancies
• Systems changed in stages
• Panel replacement (Planned or Emergency)
• System / device upgrades
• System / device modifications
• Additions
• Deletions
• Extensions
• Programming
• Maintenance

Verification / ULC 561

Fire Alarm Verification – What?
• Is this a full verification or a partial verification?

• Are “like for like” devices or panels being replaced

and what does “like for like” really mean?

• Is the work being done under permit?

• Is it being done correctly with all trades involved

where other systems are being interfaced with the
fire alarm?

Verification / ULC 561

 Fire Alarm Verification – Why?
To ensure that everything is installed as per ULC-S524

• Programmed as per plans and specifications and

building permit documents
• Annunciation Confirmed
• Detector Sensitivity (Recorded)
• Audibility (Recorded)
• Fire Safety Plan Prepared (New System) or
Updated (Replaced)

Verification / ULC 561

PROGRAMMING MATRIX

Verification / ULC 561

RETENTION OF RECORDS
1.1.2.2.
(1) Subject to Sentence (2), the original or a copy of any record
required by this Code shall be retained at the building to which the
record relates
(a) for a period of at least two years after being prepared, and
(b) so that at least the most recent and the immediately preceding
record of a given test or inspection are retained.
(2) The initial verification or test reports for fire protection systems
installed after November 21, 2007 shall be retained throughout
the life of the systems, regardless of whether the systems are
installed in accordance with this Code or the Building Code.
Source: OFC-2015

Verification / ULC 561

CAN/ULC-S561
Fire Signal Receiving Centre

Information Courtesy of ULC (Alan Cavers)

Verification / ULC 561

 Fire Alarm System Monitoring
• Why is ULC 561 important?
• When is it required?
• What is proper fire alarm monitoring?
• Signal Receiving Centre vs. Proprietary
• Installation of a Fire Alarm monitoring system?
• Periodic Testing of these Systems?

Information Courtesy of ULC (Alan Cavers)

Verification / ULC 561

 Why is Important?
• Installed Systems must meet the intent of the
Code.

• Signals to the Fire Signal Receiving Centre in a

uniform way.

• Disposition of Signals to the responding authority.

• Understanding the AHJ requests for compliant

systems.

Information Courtesy of ULC (Alan Cavers)

Verification / ULC 561

Occupancy
Single Stage Fire Alarm System
• Group A -Assembly Occupancy - >300
• Group B Occupancy – Care or Detention Facility
• Group F Division 1 – High Hazard
• Fire Alarm System with Water-flow devices

Two Stage Fire Alarm System – Alert

stage

Information Courtesy of ULC (Alan Cavers)

Verification / ULC 561

CAN/ULC-S561 is Retroactive in Ontario
Monitoring

(1) Where the Building Code or this Code require a fire alarm system to be monitored to
transmit a signal to the fire department, the building owner shall ensure the continuation of
the monitoring.

(2) Where the fire alarm system monitoring referred to in Sentence (1) is provided by a
central station, the building owner shall obtain written documentation from the central
station operator that the monitoring service
servicecomplies
complieswith
with
(a) NFPA 71, “Standard for the Installation, Maintenance, and Use of Signaling
Systems for Central Station Service”, or
(b) CAN/ULC-S561, “Installation and Services for Fire Signal Receiving Centres
and Systems”.

(3) Where a fire alarm system is monitored by a central station to meet the requirements of
the Building Code or this Code, the operator of the central station shall provide, upon
request by the owner or Chief Fire Official, a document attesting that the monitoring
service isisin
service incompliance
compliancewith
withone
oneof
ofthe
thestandards
standardsidentified
identifiedininSentence
Sentence(2).
(2).
Source: OFC-2015 6.3.1.2

Verification / ULC 561

 NFPA-71 for Monitoring
The 1993 edition of NFPA 72 was a consolidation of the 1989 edition of NFPA 71,
Standard for the Installation, Maintenance, and Use of Signaling Systems for
Central Station Service; the 1990 edition of NFPA 72, Standard for the Installation,
Maintenance, and Use of Protective Signaling Systems; the 1990 edition of NFPA
72E, Standard on Automatic Fire Detectors; the 1989 edition of NFPA 72G, Guide
for the Installation, Maintenance, and Use of Notification Appliances for Protective
Signaling Systems; the 1988 edition of NFPA 72H, Guide for Testing Procedures
for Local, Auxiliary, Remote Station, and Proprietary Protective Signaling Systems;
and the 1989 edition of NFPA 74, Standard for the Installation, Maintenance, and
Use of Household Fire Warning Equipment.

NFPA 71-1989 Standard for the Installation, Maintenance and 6.3.1.2.(2)

Use of Signaling Systems for Central Station
Service

There are no NFPA-71 or NFPA-72 listed signal

receiving centres in Canada.
Verification / ULC 561
 CAN/ULC-S561 COMPLIANT SERVICE
Compliant Service

Protected Premise Communication Path Fire Signal Receiving

Transmitter Active or Passive Centre
Fire Alarm Panel Multiplex,Internet Receiving Units
Sprinkler Riser DACT c/w Cell Sufficient Staff

Information Courtesy of ULC (Alan Cavers)

Verification / ULC 561

THE CAN/ULC-S561 STANDARD
Outlines
• Construction, operation, installation, inspection
and tests applicable to fire signal receiving centres
and proprietary fire signal receiving centre;
• Required methods of communications between the
protected premises and the signal receiving centre
• Installation, inspection and tests applicable to a fire
signal transmitting unit and its field device inputs at
the protected premises.

Information Courtesy of ULC (Alan Cavers)

Verification / ULC 561

 CAN/ULC-S561 DEFINITIONS
SIGNAL RECEIVING CENTRE
A facility that receives alarm signals and at which trained
personnel and service persons are on duty at all times.

PROPRIETARY FIRE SIGNAL RECEIVING

CENTRE
A facility, operated by the Owner of the protected premises in
which services encompassed in this Standard are monitored
at all times by trained personnel.

Information Courtesy of ULC (Alan Cavers)

Verification / ULC 561

SIGNAL RECEIVING CENTRE
REQUIREMENTS (S561 COMPLIANT)
A facility that receives alarm signals and at
which trained persons are on duty at all times.
• Consists of the following:
• Facility with 2hr. Fire rating • CCTV Camera System and
• Signal receivers, station intercom
automation computer • Early warning fire protection
• Dedicated Power Source system
• Back-up systems- Telephone, • Buddy System
generator, UPS • Trained staff to handle and
• Security Vestibule- Interlocked dispatch alarms-24/7
Doors • Contingency Plan –
• Fire Extinguishers unforeseen disasters

Information Courtesy of ULC (Alan Cavers)

Verification / ULC 561

 PROPRIETARY FIRE RECEIVING
CENTRE REQUIREMENTS
• 2 hour fire separation .
• Exception- 1 hour if the building is sprinklered.
• Single locked door
• Owner will provide Staffing 24/7
• Owner usually provides installation and
maintenance on the protected premises.
• Owner usually provides a runner service.

Information Courtesy of ULC (Alan Cavers)

Verification / ULC 561

ULC Compliant Installations
• Transmitter- S559/S527 Compliant
• Installed by a ULC Listed Alarm Company
• Manufacturer’s Installation Instructions.
• Installed as per CAN/ULC-S561 including:
• Communication Channels
• Metallic raceway for interconnecting wires
• Supervision of circuits
• Tested prior to occupancy.

Information Courtesy of ULC (Alan Cavers)

Verification / ULC 561

Signals to the Fire Signal Receiving
Centre
• Fire Alarm
• Fire Trouble
• Fire Supervisory
• AC Fail
• Communication Failures

Information Courtesy of ULC (Alan Cavers)

Verification / ULC 561

Communication Systems
• Maximum Time to receive a fire alarm signal
from a protected premises – 60 seconds
• A communication system shall be continuously
supervised to detect line faults
• Passive Systems – Communication Path
tested ever 24hrs.

Information Courtesy of ULC (Alan Cavers)

Verification / ULC 561

Disposition of Signals – Clause 9.4.4
• Fire Alarm Signals from a Fire Panel or
Extinguishing System:

• Contact fire department within 30 seconds

• Contact persons designated by the Building Owner

within 5 minutes

Information Courtesy of ULC (Alan Cavers)

Verification / ULC 561

Disposition of Signals
• Fire Trouble
• Fire Supervisory
• Communication Troubles
• Signal Transmitting Unit Troubles
• Contact Owner within 5 min.
• Dispatch service within 4hrs.

Information Courtesy of ULC (Alan Cavers)

Verification / ULC 561

CAN/ULC-S561 Compliant
Service
Compliant Service

Protected Premise Communication Path Fire Signal Receiving

Transmitter Active or Passive Centre
Fire Alarm Panel Multiplex,Internet Receiving Units
Sprinkler Riser DACT c/w Cell Sufficient Staff

Information Courtesy of ULC (Alan Cavers)

Verification / ULC 561

 ULC Certificate
A CAN/ULC-S561
Compliant System will
have a ULC Certificate
issued to the premises
protected
NOTE: A certificate or letter
regarding the ULC status of
the receiving or monitoring
station is NOT the same.
The codes states the
SYSTEM not the STATION

* Electronic copies
are now available
(appears different)
Verification / ULC 561
New Installation- S561 Compliant

Information Courtesy of ULC (Alan Cavers)

Verification / ULC 561

Ancillary Contacts & CAN/ULC-S561

Verification / ULC 561

ULC Listings
• WWW.ULC.CA- Online Directories
• Category Codes associated to ULC Listings

• DAYRC- CAN/ULC-S559-04 Equipment

• DAYYC- CAN/ULC-S561-04 Shared Installation Co.

• DAYIC - CAN/ULC-S561-03 Shared and Full Service

Fire Signal Receiving Centres

Information Courtesy of ULC (Alan Cavers)

Verification / ULC 561

Verification / ULC 561