EXCERPTS FROM THE ONTARIO FIRE CODE
(Ontario reg. 388/97)

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.

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 its intended operation or function.

APPROVED means approved by the Chief Fire Official

BUILDING means any structure used or intended for supporting any use or occupancy

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.

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.

RETROFIT means the minimum performance requirements for life safety for existing buildings.

SUPERVISORY STAFF means those occupants of a building who have some delegated responsibility for the fire safety of other occupants under the fire safety plan.

MANDATORY FIRE SAFETY MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE

Whenever a defect or deficiency is discovered in fire safety equipment, CORRECTIVE ACTION must be taken IMMEDIATELY by the owner or his authorized agent.

 DAILY

Fire Code Reference #

(1) CHECK exit signs to ensure they are in clean and legible condition.

2.7.3.1.

(2) CHECK exit lights to ensure they are illuminated and in good repair.

2.7.3.2.

(3) CHECK torches, regulators and welding equipment for defects.

5.17.2.6.

(4) CHECK fire alarm system AC power lamp.

6.3.2.1.

(5) CHECK central alarm and control facility to ensure that no “trouble” is indicated.

6.3.2.2.

(6) CHECK tank heating equipment and accessories to ensure they are in operating condition and heater valves are open

6.6.2.2.

(7) CHECK temperature of water contained in tanks to ensure it does not fall below the freezing temperature

6.6.2.3

(8) CHECK temperature of tank enclosure for tanks in buildings to ensure temperature of tank does not fall below the freezing temperature

6.6.2.4.

(9) CHECK temperature of fire pump rooms during freezing weather.

6.6.3.2.

WEEKLY

(1) CHECK hoods, filters and ducts in ventilation systems subject to accumulation of combustible deposits.

2.6.1.4.

(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.

(9) CHECK all components of emergency generator system set under at least 50% of the rated load for 30 minutes.

6.7.1.1.

MONTHLY

(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 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.

(10) INSPECT the water level in gravity fire protection water tanks.

6.6.2.8.

EVERY TWO MONTHS

(1) TEST sprinkler system central station connections.  

6.5.5.7.

EVERY THREE MONTHS

(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.

(3) TEST firefighters elevator for proper operation.  

7.2.1.2.

EVERY SIX MONTHS

(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.

(6) INSPECT elevators in an elevator shaft that is intended for use as a smoke shaft and ensure that they function as designed under an alarm condition.  

6.7.3.1.

ANNUALY

(1) INSPECT fire dampers and fire stop flaps.

2.2.3.7.

(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 persons with qualifications acceptable to the Chief Fire Official.

6.3.2.1.

(8) CONDUCT a test of the voice communication system by persons with qualifications acceptable to the Chief Fire Official.

6.3.2.3.

(9) INSPECT all standpipe hose valves to ensure they are tight and no water is leaking into the hose.

6.4.2.4.

(10) INSPECT and re-rack all standpipe hose.

6.4.2.5.

(11) INSPECT exposed sprinkler pipe hangers to ensure they are in good repair.

6.5.3.2.

(12) CHECK all sprinkler heads to ensure they are free from damage, corrosion, grease, dust, paint or whitewash.

6.5.3.5.

(13) INSPECT dry pipe valve water priming level.

6.5.4.3.

(14) INSPECT fire department connections for caps, wear, rust or obstructions.

6.5.4.4.

(15) CONDUCT sprinkler system alarm testing using the most hydraulically remote connection.

6.5.5.3.

(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 all hydrants, and after each use.

6.6.5.1.

(22) INSPECT all hydrants shall be flow tested.

6.6.5.7.

(24) CONDUCT general engine and generator maintenance and engine tune-ups for emergency generator sets.

6.7.1.1.

(25) INSPECT closure at the top of smoke shaft.

7.2.3.1.

(26) INSPECT controls for air-handling used for venting.

7.2.3.1.

EVERY TWO YEARS

(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.

(3) CHECK valve adjustments and torque heads for emergency generator engines.

6.7.1.1.

EVERY THREE YEARS

(1) CLEAN and service injector nozzles and check valve adjustments for emergency generator diesel engines.

6.7.1.1.

EVERY FIVE YEARS

(1) Hydrostatically TEST carbon dioxide and water type extinguishers.

6.2.7.1.

(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.

(5) INSPECT closures in vent openings into smoke shafts.

7.2.3.1.

EVERY SIX YEARS

(1) REPLACE the extinguishing agent in dry chemical fire extinguishers.

6.2.7.1.

EVERY TWELVE YEARS

(1) Hydrostatically TEST dry chemical and vaporizing liquid fire extinguishers.

6.2.7.1.

EVERY FIFTEEN YEARS

(1) INSPECT dry pipe sprinkler systems for pipe obstructions - flush the system.

6.5.4.2.

AS REQUIRED

(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.

2.7.1.7.

(5) CLEAN any combustible dust-producing operations.

5.10.1.2.

(6) CLEAN residue in spray booths.

5.12.7.2.

(7) VACUUM, clean and dust any dry-powder finishing operations.

5.14.6.8.

(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.