The Ontario Building Code | Central Alarm and Control Facility

3.2.6.7. Central Alarm and Control Facility

(1) A central alarm and control facility shall be provided on the storey containing the entrance for firefighter access referred to in Articles 3.2.5.4. and 3.2.5.5. in a location that,

(a) is readily accessible to firefighters entering the building, and

(b) takes into account the effect of background noise likely to occur under fire emergency conditions, so that the facility can properly perform its required function under such conditions.

(2) The central alarm and control facility required in Sentence (1) shall include,

(a) means to control the voice communication system required by Article 3.2.6.8., so that messages can be sent to,

(i) all loudspeakers simultaneously,

(ii) individual floor areas, and

(iii) exit stairwells,

(b) means to indicate audibly and visually alert signals and alarm signals and a switch to,

(i) silence the audible portion of these signals, and

(ii) indicate visually that the audible portion has been silenced,

(c) means to indicate visually that elevators are on emergency recall,

(d) an annunciator conforming to Article 3.2.4.9.,

(e) means to transmit alert signals and alarm signals to the fire department in conformance with Article 3.2.4.8.,

(f) means to release hold-open devices on doors to vestibules,

(g) means to manually actuate alarm signals in the building selectively to any zone or zones,

(h) means to silence the alarm signals referred to in Clause (g) in conformance with Sentences 3.2.4.23.(3) and (4),

(i) means, as appropriate to the measure for fire safety provided in the building, to,

(i) actuate auxiliary equipment, or

(ii) communicate with a continually staffed auxiliary equipment control centre,

(j) means for two-way communications with every elevator car,

(k) means to indicate visually, individual sprinkler system waterflow signals,

(l) means to indicate audibly and visually, sprinkler and standpipe system supervisory signals and trouble signals,

(m) a switch to silence the audible portion of a supervisory signal or a trouble signal, and

(n) visual indication that the audible portion of a supervisory signal or a trouble signal has been silenced.