CFAA Alberta Technical Seminar October 24, 2013 Calgary

CFAA Alberta Technical Seminar October 24, 2013 Calgary

Alberta Fire and Building Code Questions 1

Next Code Editions Anticipated April 1, 2014 Final Text has been provided to NRC NRC currently drafting final Proof of publication copy AMA Safety Services will verify Proof copy Proof copy will be provided to the Technical Coordinating Committee of the Safety Codes Counci TCC of the SCC will propose next edition to Minister Minister will bring before Executive Council 2

Engineering ABC & AFC Professional engineer, under the terms of the Alberta Building Code and the Alberta Fire Code is: Professional engineer means, for the purposes of this Code, an individual who holds a certificate of registration, licence or certificate of authorization to engage in the practice of engineering under the Engineering, Geological and Geophysical Professions Act (Now the Engineering and Geoscience Professions Act). This includes the traditional P. Eng. who is a member of APEGA. It may also include a P. Tech. (Professional Technologist) operating within his/her defined scope under the above Act who is a member of ASET. 3

Discipline Electrical Approved Scopes of Practice Within the discipline of electrical engineering: design, planning and specification of commercial/industrial fire alarm and life safety systems, data communications infrastructures and associated power and distribution systems, that is the routine application of industry recognized codes, standards, procedures and practices using established engineering or applied science principles and methods of problem solving. Electrical Within the disciplines of electrical engineering: the design of lighting, low voltage power systems, fire alarm and emergency lighting systems for commercial, residential, and multi family buildings that is the routine application of industry recognized codes, standards, procedures and practices using established engineering or applied science principles and methods of problem solving. Instrumentation Engineering Within the discipline of instrumentation engineering: design, specification and implementation of instrument/analytical systems including fire and gas detection systems in industrial petrochemical plant that is the routine application of industry recognized codes, standards, procedures and practices using established engineering or applied science principles and methods of problem solving Mechanical Within the discipline of mechanical engineering: design, analysis, specification, and reporting on fire protection suppression systems for industrial, commercial and residential facilities that is the routine application of industry recognized codes, standards, procedures and practices using established engineering or applied science principles and methods of problem solving. Mechanical Within the discipline of mechanical engineering: design of HVAC, plumbing and fire protection systems and services of commercial, industrial, institutional and residential facilities that is the routine application of industry recognized codes, standards, procedures and practices using established engineering or applied science principles and methods of problem solving. Mechanical Within the discipline of mechanical engineering: design of HVAC, plumbing and fire protection systems and services of commercial, industrial, institutional and residential facilities that is the routine application of industry recognized codes, standards, procedures and practices using established engineering or applied science principles and methods of problem solving. 4

Verification ABC 2006 states: 2.4.2.4. Fire Alarm System Designs 1) If a fire alarm system is to be installed in a building described in Sentence 2.4.2.1.(3) or (4), the owner shall submit evidence to the authority having jurisdiction, before construction begins, that they have retained a professional engineer to a) design the system, b) perform field reviews of the system during installation, and c) perform verification of the system after installation. As APEGA s documents denote that field reviews can be conducted by others on behalf of the professional, and there is no mention of witnessing the testing (sprinklers) and perform verification (fire alarms) it is our technical opinion that these Articles anticipated the professional engineer to be on site directing the testing/verification activity. We have however determined that this may not be practical, and that APEGA does expect persons acting of behalf of the professional engineer to be qualified. As such we will be working with APEGA and ASET to determine what the level of competence and qualification needs to be for those acting on behalf of the professional engineer as well as defining that the professional engineer must prepare the verification report as opposed to only stamping and signing. 6

Replacements and Upgrades Where a Fire Alarm is replaced or upgraded the final installation will require compliance with the current edition of the Alberta Building Code and the referenced version of CAN/ULC S524 (and S561 where monitored). Old components that are not listed or cross listed with the new system may not be used and when they are the system may not be verified until they are replaced or the unlisted components are field certified by a Certification Body registered with the Standards Council of Canada. A professional engineer may NOT certify equipment. (Typical instances of this involve new panels being placed in old existing back boxes). Failure to do this will void the listing and the warranty and put the owner, installer and designer in a position of liability if damage occurs. 7

FAS in Buildings which did not require FAS Where an owner determines they wish to have a system for the detection of products of combustion and warning system in a building occupied or unoccupied the system must meet the requirements of the ABC (S524, 537, 561) and the AFC (S536). This has been standard practice and interpretation in Alberta for years, out of province designers in industrial plants often try to detect through other means back to a control centre. This is not acceptable or compliant. Current proposals for the next version of the NBCC and NFCC speak to this exact issue and come to the same conclusion.

FAS Qualifications - Electrician with FAS training (Install, Inspect and Maintain) - Alberta Journeyman since September 1992 or prior Journeyman with demonstrated training (often an Alberta Labour PIN#). - Out of Province Journeymen must prove additional FAS training or obtain such training in Alberta. - Fire Alarm Technician (Inspect and Maintain) - CFAA Certified - NAIT or SAIT trained - Future plans for registry of qualified persons under the AFC

Our Contact Information Kevan D. Jess Chief Fire Administrator Public Safety Division Alberta Municipal Affairs Safety Services Branch 16 th Floor Commerce Place 10155 102 Street NW Edmonton, Alberta T5J 4L4 1-866-421-6929 39

Thank you Questions or comments? 40