Available under OECM’s Life Safety System Services agreement, supplier partner EPI Fire Protection Inc. shares Part 2 of their regulatory update series, focused on organizations in property management and building operations.
This update covers the Fire Code’s adoption of CAN/ULC-S536:2024, which introduces a major change to annual fire alarm inspections: the shift from simple voltage checks to mandatory true battery load testing effective January 1, 2026.
Key Updates:
- True Load Testing Required: Batteries must be tested under load to verify actual performance capacity.
Why It Matters: Load testing detects weak, aging, or stress-failing batteries that voltage checks routinely miss—critical for ensuring reliable secondary power during alarms.
Operational Impacts:
- Longer, more technical inspection processes
- Requirement for quantitative load-test results in documentation
- Improved ability to identify deeper system or power issues
Industry Implications:
- Mandatory for all fire alarm service providers under the updated Ontario Fire Code
- Represents the province’s broader shift toward more rigorous, verifiable inspection practices
View the material below to learn the new compliance obligations and prepare for the January 2026 implementation.
If you have any questions, please contact Jonathan Zafrani, General Manager, EPI Fire Protection Inc., at jzafrani@epi-fps.ca. For Second Stage Requests, contact tenders@epifire.ca.
