The Ontario Building Code | Signals to Fire Department
3.2.4.8. Signals to Fire Department
(1) If a fire alarm system is required to be installed and a single stage system is provided, the system shall be designed to notify the fire department in conformance with Sentence (4) that an alarm signal has been initiated in,
(a) a Group A occupancyhaving an occupant load more than 300,
(b) a Group B occupancy,
(c) a Group F, Division 1 occupancy,
(d) a buildingregulated by the provisions of Subsection 3.2.6.,
(e) a buildingcontaining interconnected floor space required to conform to Articles 3.2.8.3. to 3.2.8.11., or
(f) a retirement home regulated under the Retirement Homes Act, 2010 that is a Group C occupancy.
Note: On July 1, 2017, Clause 3.2.4.8.(1)(f) of Division B of the Regulation is revoked and the following substituted: (See: O. Reg. 139/17, s. 25)
(f) a retirement home.
(2) A fire alarm system that includes waterflow indicating devices shall be designed to notify the fire department, in conformance with Sentence (4), that an alarm has been initiated.
(3) If a fire alarm system is required to be installed and a two stage system is provided, the system shall be designed to notify the fire department, in conformance with Sentence (4), that an alert signalhas been initiated.
(4) Notification of the fire department required by Sentences (1) to (3) shall be by way of,
(a) signals to a central station conforming to CAN/ULC-S561, "Installation and Services for Fire Signal Receiving Centres and Systems", or
(b) the municipal fire alarm system.
(5) Where a single stage fire alarm system is installed in a building that is not sprinklered, and Sentence (1) does not apply, a legible notice, that is not easily removed, shall be affixed to the wall near each manual pull station stating,
(a) that the fire department is to be notified in the event of a fire emergency, and
(b) the emergency telephone number for the municipality or the telephone number of the fire department.
In Plain Language
This clause sets requirements for smoke alarms (the simpler, self-contained residential devices) within individual dwelling units, distinct from the building-wide fire alarm system, since both are often required together in residential buildings.
This is a plain-language summary of the 2012/2017 Ontario Building Code text above, for general understanding only and not a substitute for the Code. Always confirm current requirements against the 2024 edition (O.Reg. 163/24) or a qualified professional before construction.