FEBRUARY 2022 – Minutes

Member Meeting – February 16, 2022 2:30 – 4:30 PM Via ZOOM

Attendees

AGENDA

1. Introduction
2. Adoption of Agenda
3. Adoption of January Minutes
4. Financial Report – Tim Lindsay, Treasurer
5. Old Business
   a. Update from Smoke Damper Committee
   b. City of Victoria – Addition/Removal of Devices
6. Membership Renewal & AGM
   a. Upcoming Board Openings
7. New Business
   a. ULC-S573-2018 – Standard for Installation of Ancillary Devices Connected to Fire Alarm Systems – How will this standard change current designs of control equipment?

CHAIR: Colin Greenhalgh

1.  OPEN MEETING AND INTRODUCTIONS:

Colin – Western Canada Fire Protection

2.  ADOPTION OF AGENDA

3.  ADOPTION OF JANUARY MINUTES

1^st: Tim Lindsay. 2^nd: Murray Enders. Unanimous.

4.  FINANCIAL REPORT

Balance as of December 31, 2021: $1,452.02.Latest expenses are just the monthly bank charges. Tim presented the Financial Statement for January – December 2021. Current balance – $1,165.56 as of Feb. 10, 2022.

5.   OLD BUSINESS

a. Smoke Damper Committee Update

January the committee was started to address smoke dampers and recent changes in the BC Building Code. There has been confusion about the installation of these systems, and they quickly realized they’d bitten off a large piece of code and controversy. They engage Ark Tsisserev for input as well. They’d be happy to hear from City of Victoria re: if 120V smoke detectors fill the bill.

The committee wants to show typical installations and find simple installation methods that can be replicated in other districts. Want to create a cheat sheet for installers for typical installations. Hoping to get this done sooner rather than later. There is a feeling that they’ve opened more of a can of worms than they were expecting.

For more information, see the Zoom video for more technical discussion. This is a follow-up to the Smoke Damper presentation by Calvin Gray of Victoria Building Dept.

b. City of Victoria – Addition/Removal of Devices

Kat outlined: pre-existing wiring with boxes in place for strobes. Owners may want to add or remove the strobes. What are the city’s requirements for that?

Calvin’s answer was: they want a building and electrical permit for the installation of the new devices, whether the wiring is already in place or not. This is to ensure that there is a verification of the device and that it is a CSA approved device and dissuade fly-by-nighters installing. You would submit a crude drawing with an X showing the device to be added and what device is being attached. They’ll turn it around ASAP to minimize difficulties in getting things done.

A discussion ensued about barrier-free requirements in the BC Building Code. Kat said that hotels/motels and multi-residential dorms, etc. require 10% of units to have strobes to fulfil the barrier-free requirements, but not residential buildings. Human Rights Tribunal has come down on the side of those in need of accommodation, requiring the Strata to make accommodations to the point of “pain”.

British Columbia Building Code 2018 Revision 2.01 Division B

Part 3 – Fire Protection, Occupant Safety and Accessibility

3.8.2.12. Sleeping Rooms and Bed Spaces

1) Sentences (2) and (3) apply to sleeping rooms and bed spaces provided in
a) residential clubs,
b) residential schools and colleges,
c) dormitories, and
d) hotels and motels.

2) When sleeping rooms or bed spaces are provided, at least one for every 40 or part thereof shall conform to Subsection 3.8.3.

3) Where sleeping rooms or bed spaces are provided

a) for residential clubs, schools, colleges and dormitories, at least one room or space, in addition to rooms or spaces described in Sentence (2), shall be equipped with a visible warning system conforming to Article 3.2.4.19., and

b) for hotels and motels, at least one room or space for every 20 or part thereof, in addition to the rooms or spaces described in Sentence (1), shall be equipped with a visible warning system conforming to Article 3.2.4.19.

4) Sleeping rooms and bed spaces provided in care occupancies where the building is not equipped with a 2-stage fire alarm system shall be equipped with a visible warning system conforming to Article 3.2.4.19. (See also Clause 3.2.4.3.(1)(c).)

5) Each dwelling unit in an apartment or condominium building designed primarily for senior citizens shall be provided with special outlet boxes and cover plates as described in Sentence 3.2.4.19.(6). (See also Sentence 3.2.4.19.(7).)

Mike Staples’ concern is the modification of the circuit by adding the device: must have an electrical permit and be done by an FSR. If the building had an operating permit, then they’d be able to track it. But with residential buildings, they have to track it through permitting.

What about the buildings where they (Owners & Managers) are moving things around without any oversight? Important for their annual service providers to be aware of what’s on site and to hold Owners accountable. Provide them with correct information on the proper procedures to follow, including obtaining permits and having verifications completed.

In buildings for elders most managers will steer those in need of accessibility accommodations to units that already have the devices in place. John raised the issue of condos that were designed as “care-a-miniums”, where each person owns their own unit, but it is a care setting. Flexibility by service providers is important to deal with these clients, as well as the ability to discuss the difference between optional/investment upgrades vs. mandatory upgrades.

6.  AGM is coming!

Renew your memberships! Show up, run for office, and vote!

Three folks are stepping down from the Board: Tim Lindsay, Murray Enders, and Colin Greenhalgh. That means three positions open, so let us know that you’d like to join. Kat will send out another email reminding people about the Board changes and asking them to run.

7.   New Business

a. ULC-S573-2018 – Standard for Installation of Ancillary Devices Connected to Fire Alarm Systems – How will this standard change current designs of control equipment?

Do listen to the Zoom for the Technical discussion! The document is free for viewing online at the ULC Standards Online website. Good for consulting and engineering members to be familiar for this information.

Conclusion – 4:20 PM

NEXT Meeting: Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, March 16, 2022