Summary of Topics

This Third Edition of CAN/ULC 559, dated October 4, 2024 includes the following changes in requirements:

– New Section for Software-based Receivers under System Requirements; 3.28A, Section 11A

– Editorial corrections to 44.2.3 and 49.1.1 for clarity

1 Scope

1.1 This Standard covers requirements for fire signal receiving centres and systems, which include transmitting and receiving equipment, proprietary fire signal receiving centre equipment and control unit accessories for use in accordance with the following:

1. a) CAN/ULC-S524, Installation of Fire Alarm Systems;

2. b) CAN/ULC 561, Standard for the Installation and Services for Fire Signal Receiving Centres and Systems;

3. c) CAN/ULC S1981 Ed. 1 – Standard for Signal Receiving Centre Automation System;

4. d) CSA-22.1, Canadian Electrical Code, Part l, Safety Standard for Electrical Installations; and

5. e) , Typical Arrangement of Equipment for Fire Signal Receiving Centres and Systems.

1.2 Proprietary fire alarm systems incorporating the features and functions of a fire alarm system, and/or incorporating transponders of distributed type systems, shall be in accordance with the requirements of CAN/ULC 527, Standard for Control Units for Fire Alarm Systems.

1.3 Equipment covered by the scope of this Standard incorporating the features and functions of a fire alarm system, shall be in accordance with the requirements of CAN/ULC 527, Standard for Control Units for Fire Alarm Systems.

1.4 These requirements cover fire signal receiving centre systems, including protected premise unit and receiver for ordinary (non-hazardous) indoor and outdoor locations.

1.5 Changes or additions to the equipment covered by the scope of this Standard shall be tested according to the relevant sections of this Standard. Examples of changes and additions include, but are not limited to:

1. a) Operating system programme;

2. b) Changes or additional features to system operation;

3. c) Electrical/electronic or mechanical components; and

4. d) Other software temporarily or permanently installed; such as for test or maintenance.

1.6 Programming methods, test, service and other software intended for use with the equipment for fire signal receiving centres and systems shall be included in the evaluation of this equipment.

1.7 The term product as used in this Standard refers to all items of equipment covered by the scope of this Standard.

1.8 Unless otherwise indicated, all AC voltage and current values mentioned in this Standard are root mean-square (rms).

1.9 The requirements of this Standard apply uniformly to all equipment covered by the scope of this Standard regardless of whether they are used as a component of a fire signal receiving centre and systems or separately enclosed and referred to as an accessory.

1.10 Signal receiving units used in fire signal receiving centres, satellite centres, signal processing centres and bridging centres shall comply with the requirements of this Section.

1.11 This Standard does not cover replacement parts for fire alarm systems that consist of products or subassemblies of complete products manufactured in accordance with previous editions of ULC 559. Replacement parts that do not comply with the current edition of this Standard shall be manufactured in accordance with the edition of this Standard that they were previously in compliance with and shall be marked “For Replacement Only – Complies with ULC 559-xx” (where xx represents the edition of the Standard that they were previously in compliance with).