Tag, Reports And Owners Log For Fire Tests and Inspections

April, 2002

This is the Standard Tag required for fire protection tests and inspections. The Tag contains all the vital information required and is designed to the minimum size allowed. The size may be increased to suit your needs.

Space is provided at the top for the test/inspection company name, logo, address, phone and fax (required information). This sheet is ready to take to your printers. The printer can add company information and print.

TIPS FOR TAG USE… Space is provided for the Technician to tick off work done. When tested/inspected, this column should be ticked for the appropriate equipment. If additional work is required the Technician should tick the ‘additional work req’d’ as well as the ‘see Log and Report’ columns. The Serial Number of the equipment must be noted and Next Service Date written on Tag. The Tag has the months and year at the bottom. The Technician will punch out the month in which the test/inspection is done or date the Tag under the Stamp. After all work is completed the Technician will stamp the Tag and sign/initial over the Stamp.

Inspection/testing… Fire protection equipment shall be inspected and tested as required by the B.C. Fire Code regulations or by the Vancouver Fire By-Law (here after called the Fire Code). Any deviations or alternatives to the Fire Code must be approved in writing by the Office of the Fire Commissioner or Local Assistant to the Fire Commissioner. Deviations or alternatives to the Fire Code must also be acceptable to the Building Owner who is responsible for caring out the provisions of the Fire Code and may have additional obligations with respect to inspections and testing relative to an Insurance policy or Corporate Loss Control program.

When a fire protection system or individual piece of equipment has been inspected and tested in accordance with the Fire Code and is free of deficiencies, a new tag bearing the technicians stamp and signature shall be attached to that equipment. The standard inspection form shall be provided to the owner, and the report shall be stamped and signed by the technician.

For “minor deficiencies” the new tag shall be punched as “inspected / tested” and “additional work required”. “See log & report” shall also be punched to draw attention to the nature of the deficiencies. A tag bearing the technician stamp and signature shall be attached to the equipment. The standard inspection form shall be provided to the owner and the report shall be stamped and signed by the technician.

For “major deficiencies” the new tag (provided by the technician) is to be attached to the equipment. The tag shall be defaced using a large (preferably red) “X” across the front and on the back. A complete description of the deficiencies shall be filled out on the inspection form and the report shall be stamped and signed by the technician. The standard inspection form shall be provided to the owner.
When Fire Protection systems or individual piece of equipment are not inspected or tested as required by the Fire Code, the technician shall not tag or stamp that equipment and the owner shall be notified that the required inspection and test was not completed. ASTTBC master form “F00" shall be completed and provided to the Owner.

Major Deficiencies - A major deficiency in a fire protection system, or fire protection equipment would be if:

1. the primary function is impaired relative to the original design due to deficiencies, and/or
2. the operation of this equipment is in question due to lack of testing or inspection.

Examples of a major deficiency would include, but not be limited to:

• a battery pack that does not work,
• a fire extinguisher that has been discharged,
• a fire pump that does not start,
• audible alarm devices on a fire alarm system are not operative ,
• more than 5% of the alarm initiating devices do not work,
• a sprinkler system that is impaired,
• a system or equipment was not tested in accordance with the Fire
• Code and 6 months overdue for inspection and testing,
• extinguishing agent discharge plug (squib) missing or disconnected,
• a portable fire extinguisher that is more than 6 months over due for a hydrostatic test, and fire hose that is rotted and/or over due for a hydrostatic test.
  

1. it functions in accordance with the design criteria for which it was originally installed but,
2. the Equipment is in need of minor repair and or additional maintenance (not additional testing).

Examples of a minor deficiency would include, but not be limited to:

• A portable fire extinguisher that is less than 6 months over due for a hydrostatic test.
• a fire alarm system where less than 5% of the total alarm initiating devices do not work and are in need of repair, (not complete circuits)
• a dry pipe sprinkler system that trips, however, exceeds the 1 min. maximum trip time,
• Two or three painted sprinklers, and
• a fire pump that needs additional maintenance.
  

Note: Minor or major, deficiencies reduce the level of safety from the minimum standard of life safety and property protection required by the Code.

When this procedure is followed including the use of standard inspection forms, the Fire Protection Technician is authorized under the By-Laws and Code of ethics of the Act to affix his/her stamp to the tags and inspection forms. If this procedure is not followed then the Fire Protection Technician shall not affix his/her stamp (seal issued under the Act) to the tags or inspection forms.


Tagging the fire protection equipment – Tags used on the fire protection equipment shall be the standardized tag accepted by ASTTBC. Once the fire protection equipment has been inspected, tested and maintained in accordance with the fire code it shall have the tag place on the item with the Technicians stamp. When applying tags place the tag facing out so that it is easily readable by the Fire Inspector.

If a fire protection system does not meet code, the technician should stamp and sign the tag and then tick the additional work required and see inspection and test reports. He may wish to identify the problem by writing on the back of the tag.

Red Tagging a Fire Protection System- For major deficiencies Red tags can be used by the Technician to indicate that the Fire Protection System was inspected, tested or maintained but does not provide the level of protection for which it was originally designed and installed or;

The Fire Protection System that is red tagged has deficiencies on the system that
may cause it during activation, not to operate in the manner to which it was
intended.

A red tag would be used to advise and alert the Owner and
Fire Department Inspectors that although the system has been inspected, tested or
maintained and there are deficiencies that remain on the system.
The tag shall be defaced using a large (preferably red) “X” across the front and on the back.

The Technician shall notify the owner or his authorized agent immediately of any
deficiencies on the fire protection system(s).

When major deficiencies of the fire alarm, fire extinguishing systems (including sprinkler systems), or a combination of major deficiencies are identified by the technician, and

• the Building Owner or owners authorized agent after being advised by the technician does not take appropriate action, and
• when in the fire protection technicians opinion the public is placed in imminent danger.
  

The fire protection technician shall notify the Local Assistant to the Fire Commissioner by telephone or in person and document that notification in writing.

SECURING THE TAG...The tag is to be secured to the unit being inspected, tested and/or maintained in a manner that would not be considered a hazard.  When secured, the tag shall be visible and easy to read.

TEST/INSPECTION REPORT… After each test/inspection the technician will complete and leave with the owner or the owners agent, eg. building manager, a copy of the Test/Inspection Reports. The Technician will retain one copy of the Report for the test/inspection companies records. The Technician should remind the owner to place the Report on file on site at the building. Note that Test/Inspection Reports are to be on location in a single location, preferably in a 3 ring binder at each building and not stored at some other location. The required Standard Test/Inspection Forms or template (in a form similar to this sheet) for the Reports are available from ASTTBC and the Vancouver Fire Department.

BUILDING OWNERS FIRE LOG… A standard log will be kept by the owner or the owners agent on site at every building. The Technician should not make any entries in this book. This is the responsibility of the Owner or the Owner’s Agent.

Tag and Reports for Kitchen Exhaust Systems

April, 2002

This is the Standard Tag required for inspections, tests and cleaning of Kitchen Exhaust Systems. The Tag contains all the vital information required and is designed to the minimum size allowed. The size may be increased to suit your needs. Space is provided at the top for the test/inspection company name, logo, address, phone and fax (required information). The Tag below is ready for the fire protection service company to take to the printers. The printer can add company information and print.

TIPS FOR TAG USE… The Technician will tick or punch out the appropriate columns indicating the work done (inspected, tested and/or cleaned) on various parts of the system. If additional work is required the Technician will so note in the work req’d column and also the column marked ‘see Log Book’ (the book maintained by the owner or owner’s agent). Work req’d relates to areas left uncleaned due to inaccessibility or other reasons and/or access panels need to be installed to provide access to parts of the system. The next service date must be noted. The Tag has the months and year at the bottom. The Technician will punch out the month in which the test/inspection is done or date the Tag under the Stamp. After all work is completed the Technician will stamp the Tag and sign/initial over the Stamp.

SECURING THE TAG...The tag is to be secured to the unit being inspected, tested and/or maintained in a manner that would not be considered a hazard.  When secured, the tag shall be visible and easy to read.

TEST/INSPECTION REPORT… After each test/inspection the technician will complete and leave with the owner or the owners agent, eg. building manager, a copy of the Test/Inspection Reports. The Technician will retain one copy of the Report for the test/inspection companies records. The Technician should remind the owner to place the Report on file on site at the building. The owner should retain all reports in a 3 ring binder at each building and not stored at some other location. The required Standard Test/Inspection Forms or template are available from ASTTBC and the Vancouver Fire Department.

BUILDING OWNERS FIRE LOG… A standard log will be kept by the owner or the owners agent on site at every building. The Technician should not make any entries in this book. This is the responsibility of the Owner or the Owner’s Agent.