Is Your Fire Alarm Contractor Actually Following the 2026 Ontario Fire Code? 5 Questions to Ask Today

The 2026 Ontario Fire Code amendments updated several fire-safety requirements and incorporated standards that condominium corporations and their contractors may need to follow. A fire-alarm inspection should be supported by the records required by the Fire Code and the applicable incorporated standard. The fastest way to understand how your corporation's current program is being handled is to ask direct, specific questions and request the supporting documentation.

In City Site’s podcast “Ontario Fire Code Changes Condo Boards Need To Know in 2026” with Sam Soltani of The Trace Group, we discuss exactly how boards can test whether their fire alarm contractor is meeting the new code requirements, alongside other inspection standards, deficiency records, and integrated systems testing. The episode gives boards a practical way to distinguish a complete inspection from a simple pass sheet.

It also highlights how clear deficiency reporting can turn a contractor conversation into a measurable compliance check. Check out more information about this podcast here: #WeSpeakCondo podcast

1. Are you conducting testing to CAN/ULC-S536 and S537?

Ontario's Fire Code references CAN/ULC-S536-2019 for inspection and testing of fire alarm systems. CAN/ULC-S537-2019 addresses verification when verification is required. These standards should not be treated as interchangeable annual testing standards. Ask the contractor to identify the standard and clause basis for the work being performed and the records being delivered.

2. What deficiencies did you find, and can I see them in a separate list?

Required Fire Code tests and corrective measures must be documented. Ask to see the most recent inspection report, identified deficiencies, and records showing how corrective work was addressed. The exact report format should follow the applicable Fire Code provisions and incorporated standard, so the corporation should not rely on a simple "system passed" statement when more detailed records are required.

3. Did you complete functional load testing on the batteries, not just a voltage check?

Battery-testing requirements should be confirmed directly against CAN/ULC-S536-2019 and the building's fire-alarm system requirements. Rather than assuming that a voltage reading alone is sufficient or that a particular load-test method applies universally, ask the qualified fire-alarm contractor to identify the current standard requirement and document the test performed.

4. Where are my records kept, and can any trained staff member access them?

Electronic Fire Code records are now expressly permitted where they can readily be made available to the Chief Fire Official on request. Records should be organized so the corporation can produce required inspection, testing, and corrective-action documentation even if a particular technician or manager is unavailable. Ask how the corporation's records are stored, retained, and transferred when contractor staff change.

5. Does your testing account for integrated systems requirements under CAN/ULC-S1001?

Integrated testing under CAN/ULC-S1001 applies only to systems that meet the Fire Code's specific trigger, including qualifying integrated systems installed on or after January 1, 2020 that were required by the Building Code to be verified to S1001. Ask the contractor or project professional whether your building has a covered integrated system and what periodic testing schedule applies to it.

Answers Reveal Readiness

The point of these questions is to confirm that the corporation is receiving the inspection, testing, and documentation required for its building. Clear answers supported by records are useful. Where the contractor cannot identify the applicable standard or produce required records, the board should seek clarification or qualified independent advice.

Where answers fall short, an independent technical review may help the board understand what is being done, what is missing, and what corrective options are available. Contact City Sites Property Management to discuss your building's needs and request a proposal, including coordination with qualified technical consultants where appropriate.

For a deeper discussion of how boards can test whether their fire alarm contractor is meeting the new code requirements, listen to the full #WeSpeakCondo episode with Sam Soltani of The Trace Group. The conversation adds useful perspective on inspection standards, deficiency records, and integrated systems testing, and is a helpful companion to this article.

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