Fire Alarm System

A fire protection system consists of a detector type indicating the presence of a fire hazard, a hazard warning type, and system control to activate the fire prevention or fire mitigation system.

The fire protection system is activated as follows:

A hazard is identified by the detector either by the detection of smoke, heat increase, or fire by sprinkler. Then the horn with loudspeakers, strobe lights, or mass notification is triggered to warn people in the building to evacuate the premises. Third, system controls such as relays for elevators, ventilation systems, door openers, and others are activated to continue the alarm to residents and to protect the integrity of the building.

A heat detector and a smoke detector are devices that warn residents of a building of the presence of a fire. A smoke detector alerts residents to the presence of smoke. Smoke detectors can be used as the sole detector of a fire in a residence.

On the other hand, a heat detector will activate when the temperature in a room reaches an abnormally high temperature. This detector is functional without a power supply. Heat detectors are complementary to smoke detectors and cannot be used as the only detectors in a building.

A sprinkler is a fire protection device. It is triggered when an abnormal temperature is reached due to the heat of the fire. Fire alarm systems with sprinklers not only notify residents of the presence of a fire but participate in extinguishing them.

All buildings built before November 2000 are subject to the 1995 building code and must adjust their fire safety system to comply. On the other hand, all buildings built after 2000 must comply with the 2005 building code and therefore adjust their fire alarm system to comply.

As per the 1995 Building Code, all buildings built before November 2000 require a fire alarm system if one or more of the following apply to them

1. A fire alarm system must be installed in a sprinklered building.
2. Subject to Sentences (3) to (5) and 3.2.4.2.(4), a fire alarm system shall be installed in a building that is not fully sprinklered, but where there is
   1. 1. A cellular holding area;
      2. A controlled exit area;
      3. More than 3 floors, including floors below average grade;
      4. More than 150 persons, in the case of a Group A, Division 1 building, or 300 persons in any other case, except in open-air areas reserved for seated spectators; QC
      5. A number of persons in excess of 150 above or below the second floor, except in open-air areas reserved for seated spectators;
      6. A school, college, children’s educational facility, or day care center, with an occupant load greater than 40;
      7. A drinking establishment or restaurant with an occupant load of more than 150;
      8. A medium-hazard industrial establishment or a low-hazard industrial establishment with a number of persons above or below the second floor greater than 75;
      9. A dwelling where more than 10 persons sleep;
      10. A very high hazard industrial establishment with a number of persons above 25; where
      11. A number of persons in excess of 300 below an open area reserved for seated spectators.
3. If each dwelling unit is served by an exterior exit leading to the ground level, a fire alarm system is not required to be installed in an apartment building :
   1. Not more than 4 dwelling units of which are served by a common means of egress; or
   2. Whose building height is not more than 3 stories.
4. A fire alarm system is not required to be installed in hotels and motels with a building height of 3 stories or less, if each suite is served by an exterior exit leading to the ground level.
5. A fire alarm system is not required to be installed in a parking garage conforming to Section 3.2.2.83., if the building does not contain any other occupancies.

(Source Code de construction du Québec – Chapitre I, Bâtiment, et Code national du bâtiment 1995).

If your building was built after 2000, you must comply with the 2005 Building Code. The requirements for the need to have a fire alarm system are the same as the 1995 Building Code, except for item 2. d. of section 3.2.4.1. The change is as follows:

1. Subject to Sentences (3) through (5) and 3.2.4.2.(4), a fire alarm system shall be installed in a building that is not fully sprinklered, but where there is :

1. 1. A total occupant load in excess of 300, except in open areas reserved for seated spectators;

(Source Quebec Construction Code – Chapter I, Building, and National Building Code 2005).

In the ideal situation, a customer wishing to wire a fire alarm system diagram should proceed with the design of a plan and specifications with an electrical engineering consultant. The design-build should be done by a company that is specialized in the fire alarm industry, such as DragonShield Services. DragonShield Services offers a turnkey service of fire alarm system installation and has in-house electrical engineering consultants for all your fire alarm installation projects.