Keeping Your Building Safe: Understanding the New CAN/ULC-S536-19 Fire Alarm Standards
January 23, 2026
The sixth edition of CAN/ULC-S536-19 Test & Inspection of Fire Alarm System brings several critical updates to the inspection and testing of fire alarm systems in Canada. This revision focuses on aligning standards, integrating new technologies, and enforcing stricter documentation protocols to enhance building safety.
This learning opportunity is hosted by Certi-Fire and ECAO to unpack the new fire alarm standards.
The new rules harmonize three major fire alarm standards for installation, inspection and verification.
The standard now covers new technologies in fire safety equipment that were not fully defined in previously. Including carbon monoxide detectors connected to fire alarm systems. They are required five metres from every bedroom door in residential and care occupancies. Also included are wireless devices and air sampling detectors.
Documentation is another significant change. Annual and monthly inspections now have to follow a tabular format that cannot be reworded or revised. A new requirement requires a Technician Attendance Log that records the date, time, and primary technician’s certification number for every site visit.
Buildings now have to maintain more comprehensive documentation on-site, diagrams for smoke control equipment, descriptions of each field devices, and site-specific software.
Technical testing procedures have been updated to include more robust testing for critical system components like fire
The glossary has been expanded from 63 to 86 definitions. The document is separated into 24 sections to make it more user-friendly.
