Many buildings have a fire alarm system that sounds an alarm throughout the building when the first signs of fire are detected. Your building needs one if any of the following conditions apply:
- The building has an automatic sprinkler system.
- The building has more than three storeys, including the basement.
- The industrial facility holds more than 75 people above or below the first floor (ground floor).
- The industrial facility is a high-risk facility that can hold more than 25 people (see the list of high-risk industrial facilities in the dangerous materials section.)
Maintenance
The alarm system must be inspected and tested at least once a year, or as soon as any malfunction is detected. Repairs must be performed by a specialized, independent company registered with the Régie du bâtiment du Québec. These companies can usually be found in the phone book under fire alarms, fire safety or fire protection.
What to do
The fire alarm has handles (red levers on the walls in the hallway) for manual activation. You must ensure that they are visible and easily accessible. As soon as you detect any sign of fire, you must activate the fire alarm by pulling down one of the red levers to sound the alarm throughout the building.
When the fire alarm sounds, you must immediately evacuate the people in your business to a safe place outside. You must then call 911 to alert emergency services.
Fire alarm audibility
If music or high ambient noise levels could make it difficult to hear a fire alarm in your facility, you must install visual fire alarms in addition to your existing fire alarm. You are also required to install a device or implement a procedure to interrupt your sound system when the fire alarm goes off.
It is prohibited for building occupants and even managers or building owners to interrupt an alarm signal or reset a sounding alarm. Only firefighters can stop or reset the alarm system.
