Fire Protection Equipment - Out of Service

This page provides information for building owners and property representatives on what to do when a fire alarm, sprinkler or other fire protection system is not operating normally. It also provides information for fire protection technicians on notifying the Fire Department when a system is taken out of service and when it has been restored.

Information for Building Owners & Property Representatives

Is  Your Fire Protection System Not Working Properly?

If your fire alarm, sprinkler or other required fire protection system is showing a problem, don't ignore it or attempt to disable the system yourself.

A trouble condition does not necessarily mean that the entire system is out of service. A qualified fire protection technician should assess the system and determine the nature and extent of the problem.

What You Need to Do

1. Contact your fire protection service provider:

Contact an appropriately qualified ASTTBC fire protection technician as soon as possible.

The technician should assess the problem and determine whether the system remains operational, is impaired, or needs to be taken out of service.

2. Review your Fire Safety Plan

Your building's Fire Safety Plan should contain procedures for fire protection system shutdowns and impairments.

Ensure the appropriate building representatives and supervisory staff understand what is happening and follow the procedures established in the plan.

3. Ensure the Fire Department is notified

When a required system is taken out of service, your ASTTBC technician should notify the Fire Department on your behalf, including information about the affected system and anticipated duration of the impairment.

4. Implement temporary safety measures

Depending on the system affected, extent of the impairment, building occupancy and anticipated duration, additional measures may be necessary to maintain fire and life safety.

Follow the direction provided by the Fire Department and your Fire Safety Plan.

5. A Fire Watch may be required

Where an impairment compromises fire and life safety, the Fire Department may require a Fire Watch until the affected system has been restored.

6. Have the system repaired promptly

Repairs should be arranged and completed as soon as reasonably possible.

Fire protection systems and equipment must be inspected, tested and maintained in accordance with the BC Fire Code and applicable City of Chilliwack bylaw requirements.

7. Confirm the system has been restored

Your ASTTBC technician should the Chilliwack Fire Department when the affected system has been returned to normal operation.

Building owners and property representatives are also encouraged to submit the completed service documentation to [email protected] so it can be retained with the property's fire prevention records.

 
Your Responsibilities While a System Is Impaired

Until the system has been fully restored, building owners and property representatives remain responsible for maintaining an appropriate level of fire and life safety within the building.

An impaired system should be treated as a priority. Temporary measures such as a Fire Watch are not a substitute for repairing and restoring required fire protection systems.
 

Information for Fire Protection Technicians

Reporting an Impaired or Out-of-Service System

Fire protection technicians play an important role in ensuring the Fire Department is aware when required fire protection systems are unavailable.

When an ASTTBC technician takes a required fire alarm, sprinkler or other applicable fire protection system out of service, the Fire Department should be notified promptly.

Information We Need
Please be prepared to provide:

• • Civic address
  • Building/property name, if applicable
  • Fire protection system affected
  • Whether the entire system or only a portion is affected
  • Nature of the impairment
  • Date and time the system was taken out of service
  • Anticipated duration
  • Technician name
  • Fire protection service company
  • Contact information
  • Any relevant information regarding the extent of the impairment

 
When the System Is Restored

Once repairs and required testing have been completed and the affected system has been returned to normal operation, the technician should notify the Fire Department via email that the system has been restored.

Documentation

Building owners/property representatives are encouraged to have the completed service documentation submitted to [email protected] following restoration of the system.