FAQs

It’s our goal to ensure that you feel confident with our services. We’ve received many questions from our customers; here are some of the most common ones. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, please contact our team and we would be happy to answer any questions you may have.

What does it mean to be monitored?

A fire alarm panel controls all of the activities that occur within a building. The devices that are located throughout a building such as sprinklers, smoke detectors, heat detectors, pull stations and bells, all send and receive signals to and from the Fire Alarm Panel. When a smoke detector activates, a signal is sent to the fire alarm panel activating building wide bells. The bells are what occupants in the building recognize as a sign telling them to exit the building. Fire alarm systems are great at doing what they are meant to do, which is alert occupants. This is the point at which the fire alarm system stops.

The occupants of the building have been notified, but the fire department has no way of knowing that this fire alarm system has detected a fire unless someone places a phone call to 9-1-1. This is where the fire monitoring panel takes over. Once the fire monitoring panel detects that the fire alarm panel has activated a device, it immediately sends a signal to a Signals Receiving Centre (SRC). An operator will then place a call to the appropriate Fire Department, or in the case of OPEN ACCESS™ the signal will be electronically re-transmitted to the fire department the very instant it arrives at the SRC.

Fire monitoring panels allow monitoring companies such as FMC to act as a watch dog 24 hours a day / 7 days a week / 365 day a year.

Do I need to be monitored?

If your building meets one of the following conditions it must be monitored for fire:

  • It is six stories or over If the capacity is over 300 people
  • Has a liquor license (LLBO)
  • Contains combustibles
  • Has a sprinkler system
  • The Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) requests monitoring
What is ULC?

The Underwriters’ Laboratories of Canada (ULC) is an independent, not-for-profit organization that conducts product safety testing and certification. They offer thorough and unbiased product evaluation, holding accreditation from the Standards Council of Canada under the National Standards System and enjoying international recognition.

Do I need a ULC certificate?

A ULC certificate is a document issued by the ULC in care of your monitoring service provider that is to be displayed at your fire alarm monitoring panel. This certificate declares that the installation, equipment, and communication method adhere to applicable ULC standards. The ULC certificate is the sole proof that your building is being monitored in accordance with the relevant ULC standards.

What is the difference between a Fire Alarm Panel and a Fire Monitoring Panel?

The fire alarm panel controls all of the activities that occur within a building. The devices that are located throughout a building such as sprinklers, smoke detectors, heat detectors, pull stations and bells, all send and receive signals to and from the Fire Alarm Panel.

When a smoke detector activates, a signal is sent to the fire alarm panel which then makes the bells in the building ring. The bells are what occupants in the building recognize as a sign telling them to exit the building. Fire alarm systems are great at doing what they are meant to do, which is alert occupants that a fire has been detected. This is the point at which the fire alarm system stops.

The fire monitoring panel notifies the building’s occupants, but without a 9-1-1 call, the fire department remains unaware of the detected fire. This is the crucial role of the fire monitoring panel. Upon detecting an activated device in the fire alarm panel electronically, it instantly transmits a signal to the Signals Receiving Centre (SRC). An operator then calls the appropriate Fire Department or, with OPEN ACCESS™, electronically re-transmits the signal to the fire department the moment it arrives at the SRC.

Fire monitoring panels allow monitoring companies such as FMC to act as a watch dog 24 hours a day / 7 days a week / 365 day a year.

What kind of equipment do I need?

If your building has a fire alarm panel installed, you will need to install a fire monitoring panel and establish a communication link to the Signals Receiving Centre (SRC). Our customer service representatives will gladly recommend systems to you. Additionally, they can offer you a quote to configure a monitoring system tailored to your specific needs.

How long does it take to install a fire monitoring system?

The installation time differs for each installation and depends on many factors. Physically installing the monitoring panel and associated equipment can take a day or less. However, provisioning the communication link can take up to three weeks, depending on location and the type of service required. Our customer service representatives can provide you with more detailed information based on your specific needs.

How do you send monitoring signals from a building to your Signals Receiving Centre?

A communication link between a monitored premises and the FMC SRC (Signals Receiving Centre) can consist of either an “Active” or “Passive” connection.

An Active connection ensures continuous monitoring of the communication link. If a communication interruption occurs, the FMC SRC will receive a notification within seconds. This enables an FMC operator to take immediate action.

A Passive connection consists of a communication link that is not monitored on a continual basis. When a fire alarm monitoring panel using a passive connection and has data to send, it will establish a link with the SRC, transmit it’s data and then disconnect. Passive connections are programmed to send a test signal into the SRC only once every 24 hours. If an communication occurs, it can take 24 hours or longer for the SRC to be notified. When monitoring over a “Passive” connection, CAN/ULC-S561 requires that 2 non-redundant forms of communication are used. Current methods of communication for this method include Analog Phone (POTS) lines, Cellular, and Internet (IP).

Can Fire Monitoring provide monitoring to my fire alarm panel or sprinkler system with cellular only?

Yes! We have recently been able to provide “active” cellular monitoring at a reasonable cost. This system actively supervises the cellular connection every 90 seconds to ensure communication. This is fully certifiable by ULC. FMC tested this service for over 18 months to ensure it’s reliability. We are confident in the level of service it provides.

Do I require anything else in order to meet CAN/ULC-S561?

You will need to ensure that your electrician provides FMC with an unswitched and unburdened 120VAC electrical circuit to power the FMC fire monitoring transmitter, as required by CAN/ULC-S561. The FMC transmitter cannot share power with your building’s fire alarm system.

I have a Fire Monitoring Panel. Can I have your company monitor it?

FMC can monitor many different types of panels, but not all. The reason for this is that not all fire alarm monitoring panels are compatible with all Signals Receiving Centre (SRC) equipment. In additional, not all equipment is non-proprietary. Our customer service representatives can advise you as to whether or not we are able to monitor your specific fire alarm monitoring panel. FMC only uses non-proprietary monitoring equipment in its installations.

Does FMC install and monitor Burglary/Intrusion Systems?

FMC does install and monitor burglary/intrusion systems. Our team has many years of experience installing, monitoring, servicing, and supervising commercial and industrial burglary/intrusion systems. FMC is also experienced in CCTV, access control, intercom and many other types of security applications.

How do I pay (monthly, bi-monthly, annually)?

FMC requires prepayment for services annually, which means we bill you for a 1-year term in advance. You can arrange custom billing by contacting our customer service representatives, but be aware that administrative fees may apply.

What if I have a false alarm? Do I pay extra for that?

False alarm procedures vary across many municipalities. When a fire department receives a call and a customer subsequently reports the alarm as a false activation, the Signals Receiving Centre (SRC) operator will contact the fire department to inform them. In most cases, the fire department will still dispatch one truck to investigate. The municipality, not FMC, determines the fee. However, buildings that subscribe to OPEN ACCESS™ service, where available, often receive forgiveness for a certain number of false alarms within a twelve-month period. Unlike buildings monitored using indirect methods. Please contact your local fire prevention office for more information.

If I’m testing my Fire Alarm should I notify anyone?

oWhen testing a fire alarm system you should ALWAYS notify the fire monitoring provider. The Signals Receiving Centre (SRC) operator will then mark the account as being “on test” in the automation system. Ensuring that the fire department is not dispatched when an alarm is triggered. Likewise, you should ALWAYS call your fire monitoring provider once you have finished the fire alarm system testing. This will mark your account as “back in service.” Not notifying the fire monitoring provider after finishing testing may prevent a valid fire alarm signal from being delivered to the fire department.

Why should I use FMC?

At FMC our focus is first and foremost fire alarm monitoring.

Our team is dedicated to providing early notification of fire alarm signals to fire departments. In addition to raising the bar on fire alarm monitoring standards and practices. Currently, delivering a fire alarm signal to the local fire department takes minutes. Our mission is to eliminate that delay altogether.

Allow FMC to deliver your building fire alarm signals electronically, directly to the fire department.