There are two types of fire protection systems, which are passive and active. Passive fire protection systems include building components and structures to control or limit a fire. Passive fire protection systems are designed to stop the spread of fire and smoke for some period of time as determined by the local building code and fire codes. Walls, floors, and ceilings can be designed and constructed to resist the passage of fire and smoke therefore they are related to passive fire protection systems.
Active fire protection systems perform an action to detect a fire in its early stages and extinguish or contain the fire. The following systems and equipment related to the active fire protection systems: fire alarm systems, fire sprinkler and standpipe systems, kitchen hood suppression systems, emergency lighting and exit signs, fire extinguishers etc.
Building and fire codes recognize that the property or business owner is responsible for the proper maintenance of the building’s fire protection systems. This responsibility is often delegated via contracts with other parties, such as service companies and/or property management companies, etc. Maintenance of fire protection and life safety systems plays an important role during an emergency situation. According to statistics, one of the most frequent causes of failure (approximately 68%) of fire protection and life safety systems is the lack of proper maintenance.
Fire Alarm Systems
The Fire Alarm System installation is required to meet the Ontario Building Code and CAN/ULC-S524 “Installation of Fire Alarm Systems”. Further, the system should be verified as per CAN/ULC-S537 “Verification of Fire Alarm Systems”. Normally, if no modification, repair or adjustment to software has occurred, the entire fire alarm system is required to be thoroughly inspected, tested and maintained each year by an approved servicing company. Inspections and maintenance procedures are described in CAN/ULC-S536 “Standard for Inspection and Testing of Fire Alarm Systems” as well as governed by the Ontario Fire Code. It is worth mentioning that fire alarm testing, and inspections should be done by qualified and trained personnel.
Building and fire codes recognize that the property owner is responsible for the proper ITM of the building’s fire protection systems. This responsibility is often transferred through contracts with other parties, such as service organizations, management companies and tenants.
Fire Sprinkler System
Periodic inspections of a sprinkler system and other water-based systems such as a standpipe systems, private fire service mains, and fire pumps should be tested in accordance with NFPA 25 and the Ontario Fire Code. The NFPA 25 standard provides a detailed description of system components that must be inspected, and tested as well as how often they should be conducted.
Kitchen hood suppression system
The Ontario Fire Code and NFPA 96 “Standard for Ventilation Control and Fire Protection of Commercial Cooking Operations Suppression” requires semi-annually kitchen hood inspections to ensure that operations of the equipment are maintained and will operate in a time of an emergency.
Fire Extinguishers
Maintenance and testing of portable extinguishers are required to be conducted in conformance with NFPA 10, “Portable Fire Extinguishers” as stated in the Ontario Fire Code. Each portable fire extinguisher should be inspected on a monthly and annual basis. It is necessary that maintenance tags are securely attached to fire extinguishers showing the maintenance or recharge date, the servicing agency and the signature of the person who performed the service. Fire Extinguishers are classified as types A (pressurized water to be used on Class A fire), ABC (dry chemical effective on all classes of fires), BC (carbon dioxide to be used on chemical or electrical fires), and K (applied in kitchen grease fires). It is important to apply the correct type of extinguisher on the specific class of fire to avoid injury or damage to the property.
Emergency Lighting and Exit Signs
Emergency Lighting is intended to provide a level of illumination in the egress path that allows the occupants of the building to safely exit in the event of an electrical power failure. The Ontario Fire Code mandates inspecting and checking on a regular basis. Emergency lighting unit equipment shall be checked for operation and inspected monthly to ensure that the lighting is functional and in good order. Annual inspections are required to ensure that the unit will provide emergency lighting for a duration equal to the design criteria under simulated power failure conditions. The Ontario Fire Code mandates that emergency lights should be inspected at intervals not greater than 12 months to ensure that they are functional.
Fire Safety Plans
In addition to Fire Protection and Life Safety Services, the development of Fire Safety Plans helps the building owner or building owner representative to identify the actions that should be taken by the occupants and building management in the event of a fire or similar emergency situation. As well as it assists the responding Fire Department to get familiar with the building.