Eddy LaRocque

AHJ PERSPECTIVE
INTEGRATED
SYSTEM TESTING
Eddy La Rocque
INTEGRATED SYSTEM TESTING
WHAT
There are new Code requirements for the Commissioning of Life Safety
and Fire Protection Systems.
WHERE
do we find this / Code Ref:
2014 ABC
Part 3 & Part 9
3.2.4.6. Commissioning of Life Safety and Fire Protection Systems.
2014 AFC
Part 2
One of the rare instances where a requirement

is in both Fire and Building Codes.
Clue: Fire Code = Retro IST & Periodic IST.

WHAT is Commissioning: WHAT is Integrated Systems Testing:
Is an Owner driven Process Is a Code requirement.
A process to ensure that the finished A methodology for verifying / documenting that
Facility operates in accordance with the Interconnections between fire protection and life safety
Owner’s project requirements and the systems are installed and operating in conformance
construction documents. with their design criteria.
Applies: Applies:
To all building systems and components To Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems only.
WE ARE PRIMARELY CONCERNED WITH INTEGRATED

SYSTEM TESTING (IST) AND NOT WITH
COMMISSIONING
WHAT does AFC & ABC APPENDIX say and WHY do we need this:
A-2.1.3.8. & A-3.2.4.6. (1).

When commissioning a building, the owner must ensure that the life
safety systems and their components are functioning according to the
intent of their design.
The commissioning provides the documented confirmation that building

systems satisfy the intent of the Code.
Ultimately, someone will have to ensure that the interconnected

operation of all life safety systems within the building has been
confirmed: this may fall on the designer, owner, contractor or a
commissioning body. The AFC does not specify who must fulfill this
role as this is an administrative issue.
WHAT are the Standards/Guides
REFERENCED STANDARD IN 2014 AFC & ABC

NONE
REFERENCED STANDARD IN 2015 NFC/NBC

Will be CAN/ULC S1001-11 Standard For Integrated Systems Testing of Fire Protection
and Life Safety Systems.
For Alberta 2017 expect:

•AFC: New Section 6.8 on testing of Integrations, will ref CAN/ULC S-1001.
•ABC: New subsection 3.2.9 will replace 3.2.4.6., will ref CAN/ULC S-1001.
WHERE do we go from here:
LEGALLY: We are in a code vacuum.
GIVEN: That there is currently no AFC/ABC referenced document
GIVEN: That we need to apply/enforce the requirement NOW
GIVEN: That this requirement is an important step forward in life safety
GIVEN: That there will be a ULC Standard referenced in the next edition of the Codes
GALGARY : Apply CAN/ULC S-1001 as a guide until next Code cycle
RECOMMENDATION : Develop a STANDATA. *Must cover both Codes*

WHAT is CAN/ULC S1001-11.
Standard For Integrated Systems Testing of
Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems.
Scope:
It represents the process of integrated systems testing
and is the first ULC standard related to Commissioning.
Developed:
To meet the needs of the NBC and the NFC
for integrated systems testing of fire protection
and life safety systems and the fire protection and
life safety functions of other systems.
WHAT is in CAN/ULC S1001-11.
Prescribes:
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;
A. Integrated systems testing qualifications;

B. Integrated systems testing process;
C. Integrated systems testing requirements;
D. Integrated systems testing documentation;
E. Periodic integrated systems testing;
F. Retro-integrated systems testing;
G. Integrated systems testing for modifications.
WHAT other CAN/ULC documents provide guidance in this area
In development
ULC-S1002: Guideline on the Fire Commissioning Process
ULC-S1003: Acceptance Testing for Active Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems
ULC-S1004: Acceptance Testing for Passive Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems
Other documents/references
NFPA 3 – 2015 Edition.
Recommended Practice - Commissioning of Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems.
NFPA 4 – 2015 Edition.

Standard For Integrated Fire Protection and Life Safety System Testing.
PATHWAY FORWARD = DIALOGUE
CREATE : ad-hoc working group. Lets be pragmatic. Calgary/Alberta
APPROVAL OF STANDATA: promulgated my Municipal Affairs.
IST QUALIFICATIONS:
Determine what is considered knowledgeable and experienced.
IST PROCESS:
Determine parameters for New, Periodic, Retro, and testing for Modifications.
Determine testing protocols and procedures.
Determine site specific test scenarios, Develop Plans.
IST DOCUMENTATION
Develop standard documentation.
PATHWAY FORWARD
MONKEY
Put the monkey where it belongs
Owner responsibility = delivery by professionals and industry
Fire alarm system is building central nervous system
Take the lead
IST will be enforced

PATHWAY FORWARD
DIALOGUE AND CONSENSUS
COLLECTIVELY WE HAVE ONE SHOT

AT GETTING THIS RIGHT THE FIRST TIME
PATHWAY FORWARD
FINAL THOUGHTS ON AHJ EXPECTATIONS
Fire Alarm System

Design, Installation, Maintenance and Testing / VI’s
by Qualified Personnel & Professionals
Correct Documentation
and
Reporting Deficiencies to CFD
&
IST
WILL be enforced
PATHWAY FORWARD
QUESTIONS ?
Fire Alarm Reporting
CFD and Industry Collaboration
Introduction
• Fire Enforcement & Compliance Team
– 4 member team of 3 SCO’s and a Legal

Assistant
– Addressing large scale files, issues and/or

projects
REPORTING
REQUIREMENTS
• AFC 6.1.1.3.(2) – If a person who carries out the
maintenance of fire protection installations,
including but not limited to portable fire
extinguishers, fire extinguishing systems, fire
alarm systems or fire alarm devices, discovers that
a device or system is inoperative or defective and
the owner or their authorized agent is unwilling or
unable to correct the defect, the person carrying
out the maintenance shall forthwith notify, in
writing, the fire department and the owner or their
authorized agent of that notification.
Reporting
of Systems
• At this Time
311 Notification of Deficient Fire Alarm Systems
Proposed Reporting
of Systems
• Future
Notification of all Systems
FORMATING
REPORTS & CERTIFICATES
• Consistency of Information
• Consistency when Issued

Deficiencies vs.
Recommendations
• Should be separated in Report
– Confusing to Owner and SCO’s
– SCO may reject reports with
“Recommendations” listed with deficiencies.
• System cannot be Code Compliant with

Deficiencies Present.
Annual
Testing Standards
• Fire Alarm – CAN/ULC S536

• Sprinkler System – NFPA 25
• Emergency Generators – CSA C282
• Fire Pumps – NFPA 25
• Special Suppression Systems – NFPA (multi)
• Kitchen Suppression – NFPA 17A and 96
Questions
or
Comments
Communication List
Advanced Fire & Safety Systems Inc. Levitt Safety
Alberta Building Maintenance Ltd. MGK Safety Solutions Inc.
Alberta Onsite Fire and Saftey Inspection Mircom Engineered Systems
Aon Fire Protection Engineering NorthStar
Corporation PDS Fire Protection
CentratechTechnical Services Ltd Pro-Tech Fire & Safety
Certifire Inc Riverstar Fire Protection
CFAA - Canadian Fire Alarm Association Riviera Electric Ltd
Chub Edwards Tyco (SimplexGrinnell)
Commercial Mechanical service Sprouse Fire & Safety
Concept electric The Recharge Centre
Fahrenheit 451 Fore & Security Troy*
Fire Saftey Services (Calgary) Ltd. U of C
FIS Viking*
Four Alarm Vipond Fire Protection
IFP Solutions
Jas Electrical Contractors inc.

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AHJ PERSPECTIVE

One of the rare instances where a requirement

Clue: Fire Code = Retro IST & Periodic IST.

WE ARE PRIMARELY CONCERNED WITH INTEGRATED

A-2.1.3.8. & A-3.2.4.6. (1).

The commissioning provides the documented confirmation that building

Ultimately, someone will have to ensure that the interconnected

REFERENCED STANDARD IN 2014 AFC & ABC

REFERENCED STANDARD IN 2015 NFC/NBC

For Alberta 2017 expect:

LEGALLY: We are in a code vacuum.

GIVEN: That there is currently no AFC/ABC referenced document

GIVEN: That we need to apply/enforce the requirement NOW

GIVEN: That this requirement is an important step forward in life safety

GALGARY : Apply CAN/ULC S-1001 as a guide until next Code cycle

RECOMMENDATION : Develop a STANDATA. *Must cover both Codes*

A. Integrated systems testing qualifications;

NFPA 4 – 2015 Edition.

CREATE : ad-hoc working group. Lets be pragmatic. Calgary/Alberta

APPROVAL OF STANDATA: promulgated my Municipal Affairs.

Owner responsibility = delivery by professionals and industry

Fire alarm system is building central nervous system

Take the lead

IST will be enforced

DIALOGUE AND CONSENSUS

COLLECTIVELY WE HAVE ONE SHOT

FINAL THOUGHTS ON AHJ EXPECTATIONS

Fire Alarm System

• Fire Enforcement & Compliance Team

– 4 member team of 3 SCO’s and a Legal

– Addressing large scale files, issues and/or

• Consistency when Issued

• System cannot be Code Compliant with

• Fire Alarm – CAN/ULC S536

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RECOMMENDATION : Develop a STANDATA. Must cover both Codes