Guidelines For Fire Safety Planning and Maintenance Schedules
Remember that you are responsible for contacting our Communications Division at 905-456-5788, and your alarm monitoring company, to inform us about any service work that you or a technician are doing to a fire alarm sprinkler or commercial cooking equipment systems that could result in Brampton Fire and Emergency Services recieving an alarm. (O.F.C. ref. 1.1.1.2)
If we recieve repeated false alarms from your address, we will impose fines.To assist owners and occupants in Brampton, the Brampton Fire and Emergency Services Division of Fire Prevention has prepared these webpages listing the fire safety equipment maintenance requirements for all buildings from the Ontario Fire Code.
Consult the Ontario Fire Code here for a complete explanation of the maintenance requirements.
EXCERPTS FROM THE ONTARIO FIRE CODE
(Ontario reg. 388/97 as amended)
Article 1.1.1.1. Unless otherwise specified, the owner is responsible for carrying out the provisions of this code.
Article 1.1.1.2. Where tests, repairs or alterations are made to fire protection installations, including sprinkler and standpipe systems, a procedure of notification shall be established and the procedure shall include notifying the fire department and the building occupants where necessary for safety in the event of a fire emergency.
Article 1.1.2.1. A written record shall be kept of all tests and corrective measures for a period of two years after they are made, and the record shall be made available upon request to the Chief Fire Official.
DEFINITIONS
CHECK means a visual observation to ensure the device or system is in place and is not obviously damaged or obstructed.
means a visual observation to ensure the device or system is in place and is not obviously damaged or obstructed.
INSPECT means physical examination to determine that the device or system will apparently perform in accordance with it's intended function
TEST means operation of device or system to ensure that it will perform in accordance with it's intended function.
OWNER means any person, firm or corporation having control over any portion of the building or property under consideration and includes the persons in the building or property.
CHIEF FIRE OFFICIAL means the Municipal Fire Chief or a member or members of the fire department designated by the Municipal Fire Chief or a person appointed by the Fire Marshal under Sub-section 1.1.9.
SUPERVISORY STAFF means those occupants of a building who have some delegated responsibility for the fire safety plan.
FIRE SAFETY MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
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(1) CHECK exit signs to ensure they are in clean and legible condition.
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2.7.3.1
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(2) CHECK exit lights to ensure they are illuminated and in good repair.
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2.7.3.2
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(3) CHECK torches, regulators and welding equipment for defects.
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5.17.2.6
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(4) CHECK fire alarm system AC power lamp.
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6.3.2.1
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(5) CHECK central alarm and control facility to ensure that no trouble is indicated.
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6.3.2.2
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(6) CHECK tank heating equipment, enclosure and water temperature for fire protection water tanks during freezing weather.
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6.6.2.2
6.6.2.3
6.6.2.4
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| (1) CHECK hoods, filters and ducts in ventilation systems subject to accumulation of combustible deposits. |
2.6.1.4
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| (2) CHECK that sprinkler system control valves are open. |
6.5.3.1 |
| (3) CHECK that dry pipe sprinkler system air pressure is being maintained. |
6.5.3.3 |
| (4) INSPECT valves controlling fire protection water supplies. |
6.6.1.2 |
| (5) CHECK the water level and air pressure for fire protection system water tanks. |
6.6.2.12 |
| (6) INSPECT relief valves on air and water supply lines of fire protection system pressure tanks. |
6.6.2.13 |
| (7) CHECK water level in fire pump reservoirs. |
6.6.3.1 |
| (8) INSPECT and operate all fire pumps. |
6.6.3.3 |
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* These articles require written records. (1.1.2.1.)
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| (1) INSPECT all doors in fire separations. |
2.2.3.4 |
| (2) INSPECT and TEST emergency lighting systems, batteries, units and lamps. |
2.7.3.3 |
| (3) CONDUCT fire alarm drills for Supervisory staff in day care and health care facilities. |
2.8.3.2 |
| (4) TEST all welding equipment. * |
5.17.2.6.* |
| (5) INSPECT all portable fire extinguishers. |
6.2.7.2. |
| (6) TEST fire alarm system and check all components including standby power batteries. * |
6.3.2.1.* |
| (7) TEST the voice communication system. * |
6.3.2.3.* |
| (8) INSPECT all fire hose cabinets. |
6.4.2.1. |
| (9) TEST the sprinkler system alarm. * |
6.5.5.2.* |
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* These articles require written records. (1.1.2.1.)
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| (1) CONDUCT a fire alarm drill for supervisory staff in all high-rise buildings. |
2.8.3.2 |
| (2) TEST all fire safety devices in high buildings as defined by sub-section 3.2.6. of the Building Code. * |
7.2.1.1.* |
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* These articles require written records. (1.1.2.1.)
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| (1) INSPECT fire protection equipment for commercial cooking equipment. |
2.6.1.13 |
| (2) CONDUCT total evacuation fire alarm drills in schools attended by children. (Conduct 3 times in both spring and fall terms.) |
2.8.3.2 |
| (3) TEST gate valve supervisory switch and other sprinkler and fire protection system supervisory devices. * |
6.5.5.7.* |
| (4) CHECK and clean crankcase, breathers, governors and linkages on emergency generator sets. |
6.7.1.1. |
| (5) INSPECT and maintain special extinguishing systems. |
6.8.1.1. |
| (1) INSPECT fire dampers and fire stop flaps |
2.2.3.7.
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| (2) INSPECT all chimneys, flues and flue pipes. |
2.6.1.5. |
| (3) INSPECT disconnect switches for mechanical air conditioning and ventilation systems. |
2.6.1.8. |
| (4) CLEAN chimney spark arrestors. |
2.6.3.3. |
| (5) CONDUCT fire alarm drills for supervisory staff in buildings with fire alarm systems. |
2.8.3.2. |
| (6) CONDUCT maintenance procedures for fire extinguishers. |
6.2.7.1. |
| (7) CONDUCT a test of the fire alarm system by qualified personnel acceptable to the Chief Fire Official. |
6.3.2.1.
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| (8) CONDUCT a test of the voice communication system by qualified personnel acceptable to the Chief Fire Official. |
6.3.2.3.
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| (9) INSPECT all standpipe hose valves. |
6.4.2.4. |
| (10) INSPECT and re-rack all standpipe hose. |
6.4.2.5. |
| (11) INSPECT exposed sprinkler pipe hangers. |
6.5.3.2. |
| (12) CHECK all sprinkler heads. |
6.5.3.5.
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| (13) INSPECT dry pipe valve water priming level. |
6.5.4.3. |
| (14) INSPECT fire department connections. |
6.5.4.4. |
| (15) CONDUCT sprinkler system alarm testing using the most hydraulically remote connection. |
6.5.5.3.
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| (16) CONDUCT a dry pipe system trip test. |
6.5.5.4. |
| (17) CONDUCT a main drain flow test of the sprinkler water supply. |
6.5.5.5. |
| (18) INSPECT fire protection water supply tanks. |
6.6.2.1. |
| (19) INSPECT the cathodic protection of steel water tanks. |
6.6.2.7. |
| (20) INSPECT all parts of a gravity fire protection water tanks. |
6.6.2.9. |
| (21) CONDUCT a fire pump flow test. |
6.6.3.5. |
| (22) INSPECT and flow test all hydrants. |
6.6.5.1. 6.6.5.7. |
| (23) CONDUCT general engine and generator maintenance and engine tune ups for emergency generator sets. |
6.7.1.1. |
| (24) INSPECT closure at the top of smoke shaft. |
7.2.3.1. |
| (1) CHECK steel fire protection tanks for corrosion. |
6.6.2.5. |
| (2) INSPECT all fire protection water tanks, connected to a non-potable water supply for sediment. |
6.6.2.6.
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* These articles require written records. (1.1.2.1.)
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| (1) Hydrostatically TEST carbon dioxide and water type extinguishers.* |
6.2.7.1.*
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| (2) Hydrostatically TEST dry standpipe system.* |
6.4.3.6.* |
| (3) INSPECT fire protection water tank, connected to a potable water supply, for accumulation of sediment. |
6.6.2.6. |
| (4) CHECK insulation of generator windings. |
6.7.1.1.
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| * These articles require written records. (1.1.2.1.) |
Top of Page
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| (1) CHECK doors in fire separations to ensure they are closed. |
2.2.3.5. |
| (2) CHECK lint traps in laundry equipment. |
2.4.1.5. |
| (3) ENSURE streets, yards and private roadways that are provided for fire department access are kept clear. |
2.5.1.3. |
(4) CHECK corridors and ensure they are maintained free of obstructions. .
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2.7.1.7 |
| (5) CLEAN any combustible dust-producing operations. |
5.10.1.2.
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| (6) CLEAN residue in spray booths. |
5.12.7.2. |
| (7) VACUUM, clean and dust any dry-powder finishing operations. |
5.14.6.8.
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| (8) INSPECT clean and maintain all industrial ovens and associated ductwork. . |
5.18.5.1 |
| (9) INSPECT sprinkler system auxiliary drains. |
6.5.4.1. |
| (10) MAINTAIN smoke control equipment in a manner to ensure satisfactory operation. |
7.3.1.1. |
| (11) INSPECT and TEST all equipment used in conjunction with smoke control measures.* |
7.3.1.2.* |
| (12) INSPECT and TEST all equipment used in conjunction with smoke control systems.* |
7.3.1.3.*
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EMERGENCY PLANNING
The building owner is responsible for preparing a fire safety plan, acceptable to the Chief Fire Official, and appointing a supervisory staff to carry out same in all public assembly buildings, institutional buildings and all buildings equipped with a fire alarm.
Section 2.8 of the Ontario Fire Code must be referred to in order to get the exact regulations as it applies to your building.
SECTION 2.8
Subsection 2.8.1. General
2.8.1.1.: The requirements of this Section apply to every building containing a group A or Group B occupancy, and to every building required by the Building Code to have a fire alarm system.
2.8.1.2.: (1) Supervisory staff shall be instructed in the fire emergency procedures as described in the fire safety plan before they are given any responsibility for fire safety.
(2) It is not necessary that the supervisory staff be in the building on a continuous basis, but they shall be available on notification of a fire emergency to fulfill their obligation as described in the fire safety plan.
Subsection 2.8.2. Fire Safety Plan
2.8.2.1. (2) A fire safety plan acceptable to the Chief Fire Official which includes the following measures shall be prepared in buildings regulated by Article 2.8.1.1.:
(a) The emergency procedures to be used in case of fire including sounding the fire alarm, notifying the fire department, provisions for access for firefighting, instructing occupants on procedures to be followed when the fire alarm sounds, evacuating endangered occupants and confining, controlling and extinguishing the fire.
(b) The appointment and organization of designated supervisory staff to carry out fire safety duties.
(c) The instruction of supervisory staff and other occupants so that they are aware of their responsibilities for fire safety.
(d) The holding of fire drills.
(e) The control of fire hazards in the building.
(f) The maintenance of building facilities provided for the safety of occupants, and
(g) The provisions of alternate measures for safety of occupants during any shut down of fire protection equipment and systems or part thereof.
2.8.2.2.: In institutional occupancies, there shall be sufficient supervisory staff available to carry out the duties as required in the fire safety plan.
2.8.2.3.: Schematic diagrams acceptable to the Chief Fire Official shall be prepared and maintained showing the type, location and operation of all building fire emergency systems.
2.8.2.4.: (1) In buildings within the scope of Subsection 3.2.6. of the Building Code, the fire safety plan shall, in addition to the requirements of Sentence 2.8.2.1.: (1), include:
(a) The instruction of supervisory staff on the use of the voice communication system.
(b) The procedures for use of elevators and for evacuation of non-ambulatory occupants.
(c) The action to be taken by supervisory staff in initiating any smoke control or other fire emergency systems installed in a building in the event of fire until the fire department arrives, and,
(d) The procedures established to facilitate fire department access to the building and fire location within the building.
2.8.2.5.: A record including schematic diagrams of the fire emergency systems installed in the buildings within the scope of Subsection 3.2.6. of the Building Code, shall be maintained at the central alarm and control facility, and such records shall include instructions for the supervisory staff and fire department for the operation of the systems.
2.8.2.6.: A copy of the fire emergency procedures and other duties for supervisory staff as laid down in the fire safety plan shall be given to all supervisory staff.
2.8.2.7.: A minimum of one copy of a schematic evacuation for occupants shall be prominently posted and maintained on each floor area.
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