In Ontario, the Electrical Safety Authority receives many questions regarding the qualification requirements for people working of Fire Alarm Systems.


To best position the change we must...

With respect to "new" installations the existing legislation seemed to cover the topic well, as follows:

Ontario Building Code & Inspection- (Building Requirement)

ULC requirements-
(Equipment performance and Use)
Ontario Electrical Safety Code & Inspection -(Electrical Safety issues)

Tradesman Qualification Act-
(Who could do the work)


Therefore, no change was needed.


As a general rule of thumb, if a building permit is required, then the above holds true.


The grey are was post installation.


The requirement change was made to address persons doing Testing , Inspection and Maintenance of Fire Protection Equipment only, since existing legislation existed governing the "Installation" of "new" systems was already in place (as above).

It was this area, with respect to testing , inspection and maintenance of existing Fire Protection Equipment the new legislation addresses.

So, As of November 1999. the Fire Code saw the following changes.

Ontario Fire Code (O. Reg. 388/97)
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Subsection 1.1.5. Qualification and Responsibilities of Persons Performing Tests, Inspections and Maintenance of Fire Protection Equipment

1.1.5.1. The requirements of this Subsection come into force on the 21st day of November, 1999.

1.1.5.2. Any person performing tests, inspections and maintenance of fire alarm systems, with or without voice communication capability, shall be responsible for complying with the requirements of Articles 1.1.5.3. and 1.1.5.4.

1.1.5.3. (1) Any person who performs the annual tests or annual inspections of a fire alarm system required under Article 6.3.2.2. and any person who repairs, replaces or alters components of a fire alarm system shall

(a) have successfully completed a program or course acceptable to the Fire Marshal,

(b) produce for inspection, upon request by the owner or the Chief Fire Official, a copy of a certificate or document attesting to the successful completion of a program or course referenced in Clause (a), and

(c) perform the inspection, test, repair, replacement or alteration in accordance with Article 6.3.1.8. and Subsection 6.3.2.

(2) Despite Sentence (1), a person who has not successfully completed the required program or course may perform the work described in Clause (1)(c) provided that

(a) the work is done under the supervision of a person who has successfully completed a program or course required by Clause (1)(a),

(b) no more than two persons work under the supervision of the person referred to in Clause (a), and

(c) the supervision is provided at the work site.

(3) Any person supervising another as permitted in Sentence (2) shall

(a) advise the owner in writing that the work has been completed in accordance with Article 6.3.1.8. and Subsection 6.3.2., and

(b) be deemed to be the person referred to in Article 1.1.5.4.

1.1.5.4. Despite Article 1.1.1.1., any person who performs the annual tests or annual inspections of a fire alarm system required by Article 6.3.2.2. and any person who repairs, replaces or alters components of a fire alarm system shall be responsible for carrying out the provisions of Article 1.1.5.3.
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Note: The "Program or Course acceptable to the Fire Marshal" referred to above currently has two choices.

1. Canadian Fire Alarm Association (CFAA) (No Prerequisite)

2. Fire Alarm & Protection Certification Program (via ECAO) (CofQ electrician Prerequisite)

Both issue wallet id cards

For more details see http://www.gov.on.ca/OFM/legreg/fatesting.htm

Tony Moscioni
Electrical Inspector
Electrical Safety Authority