Toronto Fire Services Standard Operating Guideline: Resetting Fire Alarm/Sprinkler Systems PDF, 2021

STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE RESETTING FIRE ALARM/SPRINKLER SYSTEMS Date Issued: April 30, 2021 Rescinds: November 16, 2020 Section: Incident and Emergency Operations File Code: G-RESE PURPOSE To provide all Toronto Fire Services (TFS) personnel with a guideline regarding the resetting of fire alar...

STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE RESETTING FIRE ALARM/SPRINKLER SYSTEMS Date Issued: April 30, 2021 Rescinds: November 16, 2020 Section: Incident and Emergency Operations File Code: G-RESE PURPOSE To provide all Toronto Fire Services (TFS) personnel with a guideline regarding the resetting of fire alarm and sprinkler systems. RESPONSIBILITY All personnel are responsible for understanding the TFS guideline for investigating and resetting fire alarm and sprinkler systems. The Incident Commander is responsible for ensuring this guideline is followed at incidents involving fire alarm and/or sprinkler systems. Company Officers are responsible for providing proper notification to the Fire Prevention Division when completing the TFS Fire Records Management System (Fire RMS). Fire Prevention Division Officers are responsible for ensuring that referrals to the Division are responded to in an effective and efficient manner. The discretion of trained and competent Incident Commanders must be empowered and supported to make on-scene decisions based on the specifics of the incident. OFMEM Communique April 2021 GUIDELINES 1. Investigating Alarm Activations All alarm activations are to be investigated thoroughly and diligently. All possible circumstances are to be investigated to determine the cause of the alarm activation. After fully investigating an alarm activation and with still no apparent cause for the alarm, the Incident Commander will request for the alarm system to be silenced via radio so it will be recorded in the chronology. Upon being silenced, the area will be investigated again to probe further whether an independent alarm detection system such as an in-suite smoke alarm has been activated. Where applicable, Incident Commanders should engage with appointed supervisory staff to confirm already implemented emergency procedures and instructions to building occupants as per the fire safety plan. File Code: G-RESE Page 1 of 8  STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE Secondary Assessment A secondary assessment should include the following:  Where applicable, refer to the building’s fire safety plan for specific references to building schematics, installation and location of emergency systems including stand-alone detection devices (smoke alarms/carbon monoxide alarms), and other relevant information to the incident.  Where feasible, go door to door on the affected floor and speak with residents. Consideration should also be given to monitoring the floor above and below where the alarm was activated for signs of smoke/fire. If possible, a building representative with a master key may be able to assist in gaining access to suites to enable a physical check of the suites for signs of smoke/fire.  Listen for other audible signalling devices such as stand-alone smoke alarms inside individual residential suites. This could be accomplished by removing hearing protection when safe to do so or having a crew that has not been exposed to the initial noise of the fire alarm conduct this work. Upon completion of a secondary assessment with no observable signs of smoke/fire, the fire alarm system can be reset as detailed in section 2.3. All actions taken in the investigation phase will be noted in the narrative. 2. Fire Alarm System 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. 2.1. At every alarm activation incident the Incident Commander shall ensure there is adequate investigation of the alarm condition. 2.2. In all circumstances, TFS will attempt to contact a building representative and have them attend. If contact is possible, advise the owner/representative that: a) The fire alarm bells were ringing and the system was silenced b) That TFS will not reset the system, and that it is the Owner/Representative's responsibility to do so. c) To contact a service company to respond immediately. d) To notify TFS Communications Centre at (416) 338-9000 when it is back in service. e) To implement “Alternative Measures for Occupant Safety” in accordance with the building Fire Safety Plan and the Fire Code including a fire watch. f) That TFS will be posting a fire watch. File Code: G-RESE Page 2 of 8  STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE 2.3.Fire alarm conditions can generally be placed into one of the categories as indicated by the following: a) The fire alarm can be reset with the Owner/Representative present b) The fire alarm cannot be reset with the Owner/Representative present c) The fire alarm needs to be reset and the Owner/Representative is not present After adequate investigation of the alarm condition the Incident Commander shall ensure actions in accordance with the following: a) The fire alarm can be reset with the Owner/Representative present: i. Investigate the cause of the alarm. ii. Once investigation completed, silence the system. iii. Conduct investigation for further independent alarm activation. iv. Indicate it is the Owner/Representative’s responsibility to ensure proper reset of system and instruct the Owner/Representative that it is clear to attempt a reset. v. Gather relevant information at the scene on actions taken and enter in the Company Officer’s memo book. vi. If there are any deficiencies (e.g. no fire safety plan or inadequate training) then complete and issue a TFS Immediate Action form for the deficiency. Leave it with the Owner/Representative and send a copy via Internal Mail System to the Fire Prevention Division. vii. If deficiencies have been identified, check the Fire Prevention Notes box of the Fire RMS Incident Report (to initiate the Fire Prevention referral) and provide details by completing a Narrative for Fire Prevention based on notes retrieved from the Company Officer memo book. b) The fire alarm cannot be reset with the Owner/Representative present: i. Investigate the cause of the alarm. ii. Once investigation completed, silence the system. iii. Conduct investigation for further independent alarm activation. iv. Indicate it is the Owner/Representative’s responsibility to ensure proper reset of system and instruct the Owner/Representative that it is clear to attempt a reset. v. Advise the Owner/Representative:  It is the owner/representative's responsibility to ensure the fire alarm is in operating condition  TFS cannot put the system out of service  The owner/representative is responsible to contact a service company immediately to conduct repairs  To notify TFS Communications Centre at (416) 338-9000 that the system is out of service. File Code: G-RESE Page 3 of 8  STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE  To notify TFS Communications Centre at (416) 338-9000 when it is back in service.  They are required to follow the procedures identified in their approved Fire Safety Plan under “Alternative Measures for Occupant Safety” which should include a fire watch in the affected area. vi. The Incident Commander shall notify Communications over the radio that fire alarm has been silenced, is unable to be reset and a competent person has implemented their Fire Safety Plan's Alternative Measures. vii. Gather relevant information at the scene on actions taken by TFS crews and building Owner/Representative and enter the details in Company Officer’s memo book. viii. Complete and issue a TFS Immediate Action form to the on-site owner/representative and send a copy via Internal Mail System to the Fire Prevention Division. ix. Check the Fire Prevention Notes box of the Fire RMS Incident Report to indicate any deficiencies and to initiate the Fire Prevention referral. Provide details by completing a Narrative for Fire Prevention based on the notes retrieved from the Company Officer’s memo book. c) The fire alarm needs to be reset and the Owner/Representative is not present: i. Investigate the cause of the alarm. ii. Once investigation completed, silence the system. iii. Conduct investigation for further independent alarm activation. iv. Attempt to contact the Owner/Representative. v. Toronto Fire Services will not reset a fire alarm when the owner/representative is not present. vi. The Incident Commander will leave an apparatus on scene until a responsible person attends to reset. vii. If it has been determined that an owner/representative will not be attending - TFS will stay on scene of an occupied building and perform a fire watch and notify Fire Prevention and the on-call Senior Officer. viii. Fire Prevention will assume responsibility of that building as soon as possible. ix. The Incident Commander will gather relevant information at the scene on actions taken and enter in their memo book. x. Assess the fire risk as outlined in #7 of this SOG to determine if the criteria for an Immediate Threat to Life has been met.  If the Immediate Threat to Life Criteria has not been met  On an occupied building, the operations crews will remain on site conducting the fire watch until Fire Prevention officers or an owner or their representative attends the site and takes responsibility for fire watch. File Code: G-RESE Page 4 of 8  STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE  Immediate Threat to Life Criteria has been met  Operations will remain on site for fire watch purposes  Gather relevant information at the scene on actions taken and enter in the Company Officer’s memo book.  Contact Fire Prevention Division to attend immediately  After hours, TFS Communications Centre are to be notified that an extreme high risk situation has been identified. The on call Senior Officer will need to be notified. This will include contacting the Deputy Chief of CRR and request a Fire Investigator to attend for issuance of the Immediate Threat to Life. (Refer to Standard Operating Guideline G- SENI: Senior Officer On Call). xi. Check the Fire Prevention Notes box of the Fire RMS Incident Report to indicate any deficiencies and to initiate the Fire Prevention referral. Provide details by completing a Narrative for Fire Prevention based on the notes retrieved from the Company Officer’s memo book; including, if applicable, the information that an Immediate Threat to Life Notice was issued and the number of hours that TFS conducted the fire watch. 2.4. If the Owner/Representative is not present and a key cannot be found in Key Safe Boxes and/or Fire Safety Plan Boxes: i. It is allowable for TFS personnel to use minimal force to gain access to locked alarm panels to silence alarm system when an Owner/Representative is not present. E.g. Removing padlock device, etc. ii. Gather relevant information at the scene on actions taken and enter the details in Company Officer’s memo book. iii. Complete and issue a TFS Immediate Action form for the deficiency. Leave in a conspicuous location (e.g. alarm panel, annunciator panel, CACF, door to room containing the control panel, etc.) in the building and send a copy via Internal Mail System to the Fire Prevention Division. iv. Check the Fire Prevention Notes box of the Fire RMS Incident Report to initiate the Fire Prevention referral. Provide details by completing a Narrative for Fire Prevention based on the notes retrieved from the Company Officer’s memo book; including a copy of the Immediate Threat to Life Notice and the number of hours that TFS conducted the fire watch. 2.5. Operations personnel shall check the Fire Prevention Notes box in the RMS report and complete a Fire Prevention Narrative report based on their Company Officer notes from their note books. This and a copy of the Immediate Action form are the only means Fire Prevention has of being notified of a faulty alarm system. File Code: G-RESE Page 5 of 8  STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE 2.6 For any incident at which the fire alarm system is left in alarm activation mode, the TFS Communication Centre shall be advised of such by the Incident Commander via radio prior to clearing the incident. 3. Downgrading Responses 3.1. Emergency responses to an address may be downgraded by the following: a) Fire alarm testing/maintenance notification in advance. b) Known faults in fire alarm system. c) Updated information. d) Personnel shall refer to Standard Operating Guideline G-CLEA - Clearing Accidental and False Fire Calls for specifics regarding downgrading responses. 4. Sprinkler System 4.1. Sprinkler systems shall not be reset by TFS personnel. 4.2. An Incident Commander at a response involving an activated sprinkler system shall make decisions based on the circumstances that exist at the time. 4.3. Where it may be possible to maintain the building sprinkler system "in service", through the use of a wooden sprinkler wedge to stop the flow to the activated head, this shall be reasonably attempted. 4.4. When it is not possible to utilize a wedge (e.g. excessive height limitations, or damage to the head(s)) and the owner/representative is present, the Owner/Representative shall be advised that they are responsible for isolating the water flow to the activated head(s) and/or otherwise repairing the sprinkler system. The Owner/Representative shall be advised that TFS will not assist in operating the sprinkler system. 4.5. When it is not possible to utilize a wedge (e.g. excessive height limitations, or damage to the head(s)) and the Owner/Representative is not present it may be necessary to isolate the water flow to the activated head(s) by turning off specific control valve(s). The Incident Commander is only permitted to operate any portion of the sprinkler system after he/she has reasonable and probable grounds to believe: (a) the continued flow of water poses an imminent fire, life safety and/or electrical risk, (b) the continued flow of water poses a significant risk to property. 4.6. If the Incident Commander concludes the existence of the aforementioned risk(s), he/she shall, prior to operating any part of the system, communicate their assessment over the radio to TFS Communications and request the ETA for the owner/representative or service company. 4.7. When an Owner/Representative is present, TFS will not operate any control valves, nor provide the owner/representative any guidance on the same. 4.8. TFS personnel shall not replace sprinkler heads but shall advise Owner/Representatives of their responsibility to maintain the sprinkler system. File Code: G-RESE Page 6 of 8  STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE 4.9. Under all circumstances involving the activation of fire protection equipment, whether alarm and/or sprinkler systems where repair and/or reset of the system is questioned by the Officer(s) on scene, it is essential that appropriate notation be made for the attention of the Fire Prevention Division in Fire RMS. 5. Fire Prevention Referrals 5.1. For all incidents at which fire alarm and/or sprinkler systems are left in an alarm, activated or non-maintained condition, the Fire Prevention Division shall be notified via the Fire RMS Incident Report. 5.2. The Officer submitting the Incident or Unit Report and details of the incident shall check the Fire Prevention Notes box in the Basic tab and Agency sub-tab for notification of the Fire Prevention Division. A Narrative shall be added explaining any noted fire prevention deficiencies. 5.3. Should personnel have any fire prevention inquiries, the TFS Fire Prevention Division may be contacted in the respective commands at the following: North Command East Command South Command West Command (416) 338-9150 (416) 338-9250 (416) 338-9350 (416) 338-9450 Fax: 338-9077 Fax: 338-9264 Fax: 338-9349 Fax: 338-9461 5.4. Referrals to the Fire Prevention Division shall be followed up by Division personnel as assigned by the Officers. 5.5. Follow up inspections by the Fire Prevention Division on these types of referrals shall be conducted before or during the next business day. 5.6. On weekends and during after-hours times the District Chief from the initial response to the incident may choose to return to the building in question or delegate the District Chief from another Platoon to do so. At this time the fire protection system shall be observed to verify its reset and proper operation. In the event the system remains in alarm mode the District Chief shall note the circumstances in the Fire RMS Incident Report. 6. Fire RMS 6.1. The Fire Prevention Division may use such observations and notations by the Operations Officers and call the Officer as a witness in any court proceedings against the property owner. 7. Extreme High Risk Situations 7.1. In evaluating the severity of identified Fire Code contraventions and/or fire safety concerns, crews should consider : Risk of fire – For example, if combustibles are in close proximity to viable ignition sources, and there are observed behaviours, housekeeping issues, misused ignition sources, misused equipment, electrical wiring hazards, etc. that present an imminent risk of fire. There may be other aggravating factors to be considered also. Some examples include, but are not limited to: File Code: G-RESE Page 7 of 8  STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE  Accumulation of grease around an appliance,  Appliance wear and tear,  Burn marks on a stove surface, kitchen walls or ceiling,  Evidence of past fire,  Improper disposal of smoker's articles,  Power is out to the entire building with no back up power for life safety systems  History of fires at the address AND Life would be placed at risk – Consider the occupancy (occupied/vacant) and evaluate conditions including but not limited to such things as no working smoke alarms, fire protection equipment or fire alarm and detection system shut down, exiting issues, containment issues (which are part of the 7 principles of life safety), full building electrical failure, history of fires etc. that would contribute to the loss of life should a fire occur The seven principles of Life Safety are as follows: a) Means of Egress b) Constructions c) Fire Protection Systems d) Fire Detection Systems e) Building Services f) Interior Finish g) Compartmentation ATTACHMENT(S) RELATED SOGS G-SENI – Senior Officer on Call File Code: G-RESE Page 8 of 8