Safeguarding Lives and Property with Excellence in Fire Alarm Standards
Recognized in the Business Excellence Awards 2025, CFAA sits down with Biz Tech Outlook to discuss how it’s redefining fire protection through education, innovation, and leadership.
Can you give us an overview of the Canadian Fire Alarm Association (CFAA) and its mission?
The Canadian Fire Alarm Association (CFAA) is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1973 to enhance fire alarm system effectiveness in protecting life and property across Canada. With over 400 member organizations and nine Chapters nationwide, CFAA provides education and training to more than 4,000 Registered Fire Alarm Technicians and Trainees. Its vision is to be the leading national resource for fire alarm information, education, and expertise.
How does CFAA contribute to fire safety and protection across Canada?
The Canadian Fire Alarm Association (CFAA) plays a crucial role in fire protection by representing 400+ industry stakeholders, including fire protection manufacturers, service companies, engineering firms, building and fire officials, building owners and property managers. With over 4,000 CFAA Registered Fire Alarm Technicians and Trainees across Canada, the Association helps to ensure that fire alarm systems are verified, inspected, tested, and maintained properly.
CFAA collaborates with 18 Education Partners across Canada to offer the CFAA Fire Alarm Technology Program, ensuring a highly trained workforce. Technicians must complete Continuing Education annually to maintain their technician registration.
Many CFAA members contribute to Canadian Codes & Standards Committees, shaping regulations for fire alarm systems. Fire alarm systems undergo Verification Inspections (VI) upon installation and require daily, monthly, and annual inspections to ensure operational reliability. Additionally, new buildings must complete Integrated Systems Testing to verify the functionality of interconnected fire and life safety systems.
CFAA supports our members, technicians, building owners/property managers, building and fire authorities and the public to enhance fire protection and protect lives and property nationwide.
What are some of the most critical fire alarm regulations that businesses and property owners must comply with in Canada?
There are a number of Construction Codes that must be adhered to like the Building, Fire and Electrical Codes, along with many National Standards that outline fire alarm product safety requirements, along with the inspection, testing and maintenance criteria for these systems as well. There are over 25 Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC) Standards that must be met related to fire alarm systems, in addition to the Installation Code requirements.
The primary Canadian Codes & Standards that apply to fire alarm systems are:
-Provincial/Territorial Adoptions of National Building Code of Canada (NBCC)
-Provincial/Territorial Adoptions of the National Fire Code of Canada (NFCC)
-Provincial/Territorial Adoptions of the Canadian Electrical Code (CEC Part 1)
-CAN/ULC Standard S1001: Integrated Systems Testing of Fire Protection & Life Safety Systems
-CAN/ULC Standard 524: Installation of Fire Alarm Systems
-CAN/ULC Standard 536: Inspection, Testing & Maintenance of Fire Alarm Systems
-CAN/ULC Standard 537: Verification of Fire Alarm Systems
What certifications does CFAA offer for fire alarm technicians and professionals?
The Canadian Fire Alarm Association has offered the Fire Alarm Technology Education Program for over 40 years, training individuals to become CFAA Registered Fire Alarm Technicians. Our Education Program and the CFAA Fire Alarm Technician credential is accepted by most building and fire authorities across Canada. This program is delivered online and in-person, along with 18+ public and private career colleges across Canada. Upon successful completion, individuals can apply for CFAA Registration, qualifying them to verify, inspect, test, and maintain fire alarm systems.
CFAA is the only National body in Canada that certifies/registers fire alarm technicians. To ensure ongoing competency, Continuing Education is required annually, keeping technicians updated on new regulations, standards, technologies, and best practices.
CFAA also provides technical symposiums, seminars, and webinars for professionals in the fire protection and life safety industry, including technicians, engineers, designers, electricians, building and fire officials, building owners, property managers, and insurers. These programs enhance industry knowledge and contribute to the overall safety and effectiveness of fire alarm systems across Canada.
What emerging technologies are making an impact in the fire alarm industry?
The fire alarm industry is continuously evolving with new technologies that enhance detection, response, and safety. Some emerging technologies in the fire alarm industry include:
- Smart Fire Alarm Systems
- Integration with IoT: Fire alarm systems are increasingly being integrated with the Internet of Things (IoT), allowing devices to communicate in real-time with each other and with central monitoring systems. This can help in remote monitoring, fault detection, and system management.
- Mobile Connectivity: Smart systems can send notifications to users; smartphones, alerting them to fire hazards or system issues even when they are away from the building.
- AI-Powered Detection
- Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI is being incorporated into fire alarm systems to improve the accuracy of smoke and heat detection. AI can analyze patterns in smoke or heat data to differentiate between false alarms and real threats, reducing the likelihood of unnecessary evacuations.
- Machine Learning: Machine learning algorithms can adapt over time, learning the unique characteristics of a building to better predict and identify fire risks.
- Video Smoke Detection (VSD)
- CCTV Integration: Video smoke detection systems use video cameras to monitor environments for signs of smoke or flame. These systems analyse video footage in real-time using image recognition algorithms to detect smoke or fire, providing an early warning.
- Wide Area Monitoring: VSD systems can cover large spaces, such as warehouses or atriums, where traditional smoke detectors might be less effective.
- Voice Evacuation Systems
- Real-Time Voice Communication: Modern fire alarm systems are using voice evacuation technology to deliver clear and specific instructions during an emergency. These systems can direct people to the safest exits and give dynamic instructions based on the situation.
- Wireless Fire Alarm Systems
- Easy Installation and Scalability: Wireless fire alarms eliminate the need for complex wiring, making them easier to install and expand. These systems are particularly useful in retrofitting older buildings or in areas where running wires is impractical.
- Mesh Networking: Wireless systems can communicate with each other in a mesh network, ensuring that if one device fails, others can still relay the alarm.
- Advanced Smoke and Gas Sensor
- Multisensory Detection: New sensors are combining smoke, heat, and gas detection in one device. This approach increases the reliability and versatility of fire alarm systems, as it can detect different types of fires (e.g., chemical fires or fires in hazardous environments).
- Low Power Sensors: Advances in sensor technology allow for lower power consumption, making it feasible to deploy fire alarms in remote areas, like industrial facilities or large outdoor spaces.
As a leader in this space, what advice do you have for those looking to make an impact on fire safety?
While there have been many improvements in reducing the loss of life, injuries and property damage over the last 40 years, there is still a lot of work to do. While the overall number of fire incidents is declining, the number of deaths, injuries and property losses have been increasing in recent years. This is due to many factors such as newer building materials and contents of homes (e.g. furniture) are more flammable and toxic. Approx. 70% of all fires occur in homes, so it is important to educate the public on fire prevention.
My advice is to identify where you and/or your company can best contribute, share your expertise and time towards making a positive impact in improving fire and life safety outcomes. Volunteer with an Association like the CFAA, serve on a Committee or Chapter, present and teach at technical events, sponsor community awareness campaigns and events, mentor new hires and build programs to attract new talent to our industry. There are many ways to make a meaningful impact on fire and life safety when volunteering with an Association.
Please share with us about the leadership team.
The CFAA Board of Directors is comprised of 33 Directors representing many sectors of fire protection and life safety space. They are all volunteers that dedicate many hours towards our Association’s mission and vision. Board members include industry leaders from Canadian fire alarm service companies, fire protection equipment manufacturers, engineering firms, building owners/property managers and those with previous experience working with fire authorities. I am the Executive Director and also serve on the Board. We also have 9 CFAA Chapters across Canada that have their own Boards. Over 4000 fire alarm technicians. And a dedicated staff that help make it all happen. There is a wealth of knowledge and experience within the CFAA. It is my sincere pleasure to work with such a dedicated group of like-minded people to improve fire protection and life safety outcomes across Canada.
“CFAA – Leading Fire Alarm Safety Across Canada”
“Certified Expertise, Trusted Protection”
Company Name : Canadian Fire Alarm Association
Website : https://cfaa.ca/
Management Team
Suzanne Alfano | Executive Director
