CFAA Alberta Technical Seminar 2010 Kevan D. Jess Chief Fire Administrator Government of Alberta
Fire Alarm Requirements AFC 2006 & ABC 2006 AFC 2006 deals with existing buildings, particularly maintenance and testing Could require upgrades or installs in buildings built prior to 1974 (including apartment and rooming house upgrades). ABC 2006 deals with New Buildings, New Occupancies in existing buildings. Additional devices on an existing system may involve both codes. Discuss with both SCOs.
Code and Standards Development in Alberta National Fire and Building Codes used as base documents. Changes are made to these documents to reflect Alberta specific concerns (ABC Pts 7, 10 & 11; AFC Sections 2.16, 4.3, 5.6 & 5.7 Div B) Codes are Regulations adopted by the Executive Council of the Legislature Standards are the current versions, approved by the Technical Sub-Councils, at the time of adoption. New standards don t exist until the next Code. (ULC, NFPA, CSA etc)
Code Change Proposal Submissions Code Change Proposals for the next versions (2012) of the Alberta Fire and Building Codes will be accepted up until March 31, 2011. Guidelines and forms for the submission of change proposals may be found at: http://municipalaffairs.alberta.ca/documents/ss/ STANDATA/building/GuidelinesandForm.pdf This will be followed by a period of review, code development, presentation and public consultation beginning in the fall of 2011.
Permits Fire Alarm System is required under the Building Code and will be covered under both a Building Permit and an Electrical Permit (and Building Code Schedules). Major Changes and Upgrades, other than direct replacement, should require a Building Permit and possibly an Electrical Permit.
Permits Buildings undergoing upgrading under the approved guidelines adopted under the Fire Code may not need a Building Permit but will need an Electrical Permit. Any major changes, additions and upgrades will require a verification. Minor changes (move device) may not require full Verification but the device must be verified operational in writing by the installer
Install Journeyman Electrician (certified after Sept 1, 1991 or having taken previously approved upgrading course P #) working under an Electrical Permit taken out by a Master Electrician. Same applies to rewiring for an upgrade
Test, Maintain and Inspect Journeyman Electrician as noted previously Fire Alarm Technician certified by the Canadian Fire Alarm Association (may require Alberta Code training if from out of province). Fire Alarm Technician trained at a recognized post-secondary institute.
Authority Having Jurisdiction Most frequently refers to a Safety Codes Officer in the employ of, or whose Agency is contracted to, a municipality or corporation. May refer to an SCO employee of AMA/AEMA where the province has jurisdiction. Could refer to the Chief Fire, Building, Electrical or Elevator Administrators when dealing with province wide alternative solutions or interpretations.
Authority Having Jurisdiction May be the Minister in special instances. May be a Delegated Administrative Organization (PTMAA Fuel Tanks, ABSA Boilers, AEDARSA New Elevator Installs). May be a Technical Sub-Council when adopting new codes or hearing appeals.
Alberta Fire Alarm Systems Guide 2006 Blue Book For Installation, Testing and Maintenance. Based on the Alberta Building Code 2006 and the Alberta Fire Code 2006. The Guide can be ordered for $75 (shipping and GST included) from the Safety Codes Council by phone, on-line or by mail. Please note: The Alberta Fire Alarm Systems Guide has increased in price due to royalty fees that the Safety Codes Council is required to pay to Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC) for the inclusion of quotations from ULC Standards.
Emerging Issues Smoke Detector Sensitivity Testing Treating all systems and devices the same in terms of annual maintenance. Standards Development Balance of ULC, NFPA, CSA and other Standards Committees. Request By Fire Technical Sub Council to investigate using NFPA rather than ULC Standards where applicable in the next Alberta Fire Code.
Questions Contact 1-866-421-6929 safetyservices@gov.ab.ca Kevan Jess or Ray Cox Fire Chris Salvian Building Pierre McDonald Electrical Al Griffin - Elevators