CAN - ULC-561 - Ontario 2016
CAN - ULC-561 - Ontario 2016
CAN - ULC-561 - Ontario 2016
CAN/ULC-S561
To comply, or not to comply….
actually it’s not even a question!
By Alan Cavers & Brian McBain
CAN/ULC-S561, Installation
And Services For Fire Signal
Receiving Centres And Systems is
without a doubt one of the most
misunderstood standards in the
lexicon of the ULC S500 Series of Fire
and Life Safety Standards. Simply
stated, CAN/ULC-S561 promotes
reliable fire alarm monitoring.
This standard has been a Code
requirement in Canada for over 10
years and yet every day Authorities
find non-compliant systems and
ULC, along with organizations like
the Canadian Fire Alarm Association
(CFAA), field daily inquiries
about in conformity to, listing of,
requirements for and understanding
of CAN/ULC-S561. This article will
endeavor to provide for a better
understanding of this Standard, its
place and requirements, in fire and
life safety systems.
Fire signal receiving centres come in two defined Group F, Division 1 – High Hazard
types; a Signal Receiving Centre and a Proprietary Industrial Occupancy
Fire Signal Receiving Centre. What’s the difference? A
Buildings regulated by the provisions of Subsection
Signal Receiving Centre is a facility that receives alarm
3.2.6. (Additional requirements for high buildings)
signals and at which trained personnel and service
persons are on duty at all times. Buildings containing interconnected floor space
required to conform to Articles 3.2.8.3 to 3.2.8.11
• Think normal commercial businesses like an ADT or
Chubb Edwards - these involve the monitoring of A retirement home regulated under the
multiple properties and/or for multiple owners. Retirement Homes Act, 2010 that is a Group C –
Residential Occupancy
A Proprietary Fire Signal Receiving Centre is a facility,
operated by the owner of the protected premises
in which services encompassed in this Standard are For Two Stage Fire Alarm System
monitored at all times by trained personnel.
• Think Specific business or facility with one All Occupancies at the initiation of an Alert Signal
owner, often having multiple sites and no third
party monitoring. These are often Hospitals or
Universities with large multi-building campuses
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Underwriters Laboratories of Canada
Occupancies with Fire Alarm System that includes Documentation to include the name and
waterflow indicating devices number of the Fire Signal Receiving Centre
(CAN/ULC-S561), and the latest edition of CAN/
The fire monitoring service for a building fire alarm ULC-S537-13, has expanded this section to impart
system is mandated in Ontario in the OBC Division B, the importance on fire monitoring:
3.2.4.8 (4) and in the OFC Division B, 6.3.1.2. Further
• (CAN/ULC-S561-13) NOTE: This standard
Code references for fire alarm monitoring service and presupposes that, where provided, the
CAN/ULC-S561 conformity are made through three interconnection from the fire alarm control unit
other Code referenced ULC fire alarm standards. or transponder to the fire signal receiving centre
shall comply with CAN/ULC-S561, Standard for
1. CAN/ULC-S524, Standard for Installation of Fire Installation and Services for Fire Signal Receiving
Alarm Systems which is referenced at OBC Division Centres and Systems. (Refer to Items A to I in
B, 3.2.4.5 (1) has as its last enforceable clause: Appendix C5.13, Interconnection to Fire Signal
• 5.15.1 (CAN/ULC-S524) - The interconnection Receiving Centre.)
wiring from the fire alarm control unit or
3. And CAN/ULC-S536, Inspection and Testing of Fire
transponder to the fire signal receiving centre
Alarm Systems in OFC Division B, 6.3.2.2.(1)
shall comply with CAN/ULC-S561, Installation
and Services for Fire Signal Receiving Centres
The key take away here is that the fire alarm system
and Systems.
monitoring is an extension of the fire alarm system,
2. and CAN/ULC-S537, Verification of Fire Alarm hence similar installation methods, and carries the
Systems in OBC 3.2.4.5.(2) contains within it the same importance for installation and maintenance as
following:
the fire alarm system.
• CAN/ULC-S537-04 Appendix C2 (G) -
Compliant System
All 3 parts are required to
Protective Premise Communication Path Fire Signal Receiving make up a compliant system.
This article focuses is on Fire
Active or Passive
Transmitter Center Signal Receiving Centres but
Multiplex
will touch on the installation
Fire Alarm Panel Internet Receiving Units
and periodic testing for them.
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Underwriters Laboratories of Canada
A facility that receives alarm signals and at which A facility, operated by the owner of the protected
trained personnel and service persons are on duty at premises in which services encompassed in this
all times. Standard are monitored at all times by trained
personnel.
This facility must consist of the following: These facilities must consist of the following:
• Facility with 2hr. Fire rating • 2 hour fire separation.
• Signal receivers, station automation computer • Exception- 1 hour only if the building is
• Dedicated Power Source sprinklered.
Fire Signal Receiving Centres receiving the following Also the installations at the protected buildings can
alarms or notification from the fire alarm system be proprietary fire alarm equipment or off the shelf
• Fire Alarm fire alarm transmitters.
• Fire Trouble
• Fire Supervisory
• AC Fail
• Communication Failures
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Underwriters Laboratories of Canada
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Underwriters Laboratories of Canada
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Underwriters Laboratories of Canada
A document that is acceptable to A ULC Fire Protective Signalling System Certificate – provided
the Authority Having Jurisdiction. through ULC listed Alarm Company.
Your local Building Official for new Companies that are certified to CAN/ULC-S561 can be found on
construction/installation and your our ULC Online Directory at
Fire Official for existing buildings/ http://database.ul.com/cgi-bin/XYV/template/
installations. LISCANADA/1FRAME/index.html
and using the following ULC Category Codes:
A Final Note
CAN/ULC-S561 is a vital component in the chain of Fire Alarm standards and is mandated by our Codes, yet is
possibly one of the highest non-conformity issues with fire alarm systems that require monitoring. Although
the National Codes have since 2005 explicitly required CAN/ULC-S561 conformity, for the upcoming 2015
National Codes ULC has submitted an Appendix Note to further clarify the interconnection between it and
CAN/ULC-S524 Installation of Fire Alarm Systems so that Code users and enforcement authorities ensure
complete conformance with Code requirements. The draft Appendix note submitted (and as of this writing not
yet finalized by the Codes Commission) is:
CAN/ULC-S561, “Installation and Services for Fire Signal Receiving Centres and Systems,” which is referenced in
Sentence 3.2.4.8.(4), and CAN/ULC-S524, “Installation of Fire Alarm Systems,” which is referenced in Sentence
3.2.4.5.(1), go hand-in-hand: conformity to CAN/ULC-S561 entails conformity with the fire alarm system
components required in that standard. These components include fire alarm transmitter (signal transmitting
unit), interconnections and communication path.
We hope you have a clearer picture and understanding of CAN/ULC-S561, its requirements and how it fits into
our Codes and requirements for fire alarm systems. If any further assistance, interpretation, details or concerns
are required, do not hesitate to contact either ULC Regulatory Services or Certificate Services below. The CAN/
ULC-S561 Standard, along with any other ULC standards, can be purchased at the link below:
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Underwriters Laboratories of Canada
Certificate No:PSxxxxxxxx
File No: CCN: DAYIC
Service Center No:
Expires:
Issued:
SN: PSxxxxxxxxx
Protected Property: Alarm Monitoring Company: Alarm Service Company:
Alarm System Description: This system is installed and operated in accordance with STANDARD CAN/ULC-S561,2013 edition.
Visit us at
http://canada.ul.com/ulcprograms/
fireandsecurityalarmcertificateprograms/
http://industries.ul.com/life-safety-and-security/
alarm-service/ulwebcerts