Determination of Requirement for a Fire Alarm System

1. Except as permitted in Sentences (2) and (3), a fire alarm system shall be installed in buildings in which an automatic sprinkler system is installed.
2. Buildings in which a sprinkler system is installed in accordance with NFPA 13D, "Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two-Family Dwellings and Manufactured Homes," need not comply with Sentence (1).
3. Buildings that contain fewer than 9 sprinklers conforming to Sentence 3.2.5.12.(4) need not comply with Sentence (1).
4. Except as permitted by Sentences (5) to (7) and Sentence 3.2.4.2.(4), a fire alarm system shall be installed in a building that is not sprinklered throughout and that contains
   1. a contained use area,
   2. an impeded egress zone,
   3. more than 3 storeys, including the storeys below the first storey,
   4. a total occupant load more than 300, other than in open air seating areas,
   5. an occupant load more than 150 above or below the first storey, other than in open air seating areas,
   6. a school, college, or child care facility, including a daycare facility, with an occupant load more than 40,
   7. a licensed beverage establishment or a licensed restaurant, with an occupant load more than 150,
   8. a low-hazard industrial occupancy with an occupant load more than 75 above or below the first storey,
   9. a medium-hazard industrial occupancy with an occupant load more than 75 above or below the first storey,
   10. a residential occupancy with sleeping accommodation for more than 10 persons,
   11. a high-hazard industrial occupancy with an occupant load more than 25, or
   12. an occupant load more than 300 below an open air seating area.
5. Where each dwelling unit in an apartment building that is not sprinklered has direct access to an exterior exit facility leading to ground level, a fire alarm system is not required if
   1. not more than 4 dwelling units share a common means of egress, or
   2. the building is not more than 3 storeys in building height.
6. A fire alarm system is not required in a hotel or motel 3 storeys or less in building height that is contained in a building that is not sprinklered provided each suite has direct access to an exterior exit facility leading to ground level.
7. A fire alarm system is not required in a storage garage conforming to Article 3.2.2.90. that is contained in a building that is not sprinklered provided there are no other occupancies in the building.

1. 1) Except as permitted by Sentence (6), if there are openings through a firewall, other than those for piping, tubing, wiring and totally enclosed noncombustible raceways, the requirements in this Subsection shall apply to the floor areas on both sides of the firewall as if they were in the same building.
2. 2) Except as permitted by Sentence (4), if a building contains more than one major occupancy and a fire alarm system is required, a single system shall serve all occupancies.
3. 3) Except as permitted by Sentence (4), if a fire alarm system is required in any portion of a building, it shall be installed throughout the building.
4. 4) Except as required by Sentence (5), the requirements in this Subsection are permitted to be applied to each portion of a building not more than 3 storeys in building height, in which a vertical fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h separates the portion from the remainder of the building as if it were a separate building, provided there are no openings through the fire separation, other than those for piping, tubing, wiring and totally enclosed noncombustible raceways.
5. 5) The permission in Sentence (4) to consider separated portions of a building as separate buildings does not apply to service rooms and storage rooms.
6. 6) Buildings interconnected by walkways permitted in Articles 3.2.3.19. and 3.2.3.20. or by vestibules provided in conformance with Article 3.2.6.3. shall be treated as separate buildings for the purpose of fire alarm installation required by this Subsection.

1. A fire alarm system shall be
   1. a single-stage system in a Group F, Division 1 occupancy,
   2. except as permitted in Clause (c), a 2-stage system in a Group B occupancy,
   3. a single- or 2-stage system in a Group B, Division 3 occupancy where the building is 3 storeys or less in building height, and
   4. a single- or 2-stage system in all other cases.

1. A single stage fire alarm system shall, upon the operation of any manual station, waterflow detecting device, or fire detector, cause an alarm signal to sound on all audible signal devices in the system. (See Note A-3.2.4.4.(1).)
2. A 2-stage fire alarm system shall
   1. cause an alert signal to sound upon the operation of any manual station, waterflow detecting device, or fire detector,
   2. automatically cause an alarm signal to sound if the alert signal is not acknowledged within 5 min of its initiation, and
   3. have manual stations, each of which is equipped so that the use of a key or other similar device causes an alarm signal to sound that continues to sound upon removal of the key or similar device from the manual station (see Note A-3.2.4.4.(2)(c)). (See Note A-3.2.4.4.(2).)
3. A 2-stage fire alarm system is permitted to be zone coded so that, upon the operation of any manual station, waterflow detecting device, or fire detector,
   1. a coded alert signal is sounded indicating the zone of alarm initiation,
   2. the coded alert signal is repeated in its entirety not less than 4 times, and
   3. a continuous alert signal is sounded upon completion of the coded signals referred to in Clause (b) and Sentence (4).
4. If a second manual station, waterflow detecting device, or fire detector is operated in a fire alarm system with zone coding as permitted by Sentence (3), in a zone other than that for which the first alert signal was sounded, the coded alert signal for the first zone shall be completed before the coded alert signal for the second zone is repeated not less than 4 times.

1. Fire alarm systems, including the voice communication capability where provided, shall be installed in conformance with CAN/ULC-S524, "Installation of Fire Alarm Systems."
2. Fire alarm systems shall be verified in conformance with CAN/ULC-S537, "Verification of Fire Alarm Systems," to ensure they are operating satisfactorily.

1. A fire alarm system shall be designed so that when an alarm signal is actuated, it cannot be silenced automatically before a period of time has elapsed that is not less than
   1. 5 min for a building not required to be equipped with an annunciator, and
   2. 20 min for any other building.
2. Except as permitted by Sentence 3.2.4.18.(7) and Sentences 3.2.4.22.(2) and (3), a fire alarm system shall not incorporate manual silencing switches other than those installed inside the fire alarm control unit. (See Note A-3.2.4.6.(2).)

1. A single stage fire alarm system installed in a building of assembly occupancy that has an occupant load more than 300 shall be designed to notify the fire department, in conformance with Sentence (4), that an alarm signal has been initiated.
2. A fire alarm system that includes waterflow-indicating devices shall be designed to notify the fire department in conformance with Sentence (4) when an alarm is initiated.
3. A 2-stage fire alarm system shall be designed to notify the fire department, in conformance with Sentence (4), that an alert signal has been initiated.
4. Notification of the fire department, as required by Sentences (1), (2) and (3), shall be provided in conformance with CAN/ULC-S561, "Installation and Services for Fire Signal Receiving Centres and Systems." (See Note A-3.2.4.7.(4).)
5. Where a single stage fire alarmsystem is installed in a building that is not sprinklered throughout and Sentence (1) does not apply, a legible notice that is not easily removed shall be affixed to the wall near each manual station stating
   1. that the fire department is to be notified in the event of a fire emergency, and
   2. the emergency telephone number for the municipality or for the fire department (see Note A-3.2.4.7.(5)(b)).
6. Helicopter landing areas on roofs shall be provided with telephone extensions or means to notify the fire department.

1. Except as permitted by Sentences (3) to (5), an annunciator shall be installed in close proximity to a building entrance that faces a street or an access route for fire department vehicles that complies with Sentence 3.2.5.5.(1).
2. Except as permitted by Sentence (6), the annunciator required by Sentence (1) shall have separate zone indication of the actuation of the alarm initiating devices in each
   1. floor area so that the area of coverage for each zone in a building that is not sprinklered is not more than 2 000 m2,
   2. floor area so that the area of coverage for each zone is neither
      1. more than one storey, nor
      2. more than the system area limits specified in NFPA 13, "Installation of Sprinkler Systems,"
   3. shaft required to be equipped with smoke detectors,
   4. air-handling system required to be equipped with smoke detectors,
   5. fire extinguishing system required by NFPA 96, "Ventilation Control and Fire Protection of Commercial Cooking Operations,"
   6. contained use area,
   7. impeded egress zone, and
   8. fire compartment required by Sentence 3.3.3.5.(2). (See Note A-3.2.4.8.(2).)
3. An annunciator need not be provided for a fire alarm system if not more than one zone indicator is required by Sentence (2).
4. If an annunciator is not installed as part of a fire alarm system in conformance with Sentence (1), a visual and audible trouble signal device shall be provided inside the main entrance of the building.
5. The requirements of Sentence (1) are waived in a building
   1. in which an automatic sprinkler system is not installed,
   2. that has an aggregate area for all storeys of not more than 2 000 m², and
   3. that is not more than 3 storeys in building height.
6. The area limits of Clause (2)(a) are waived for an interior undivided open space used as an arena, a rink, or a swimming pool provided that other spaces in the building that are separated from the open space are individually zoned in accordance with the requirements of Sentence (2).
7. A fire alarm control unit installed in close proximity to a building entrance that faces a street or an access route for fire department vehicles that complies with Sentence 3.2.5.5.(1) is deemed to satisfy the requirement for an annunciator, provided all indicators required for an annunciator or trouble signal device are included on the control unit.

1. Electrical supervision shall be provided for a fire alarm system.
2. If a fire alarm system in a building is required to have an annunciator by Sentence 3.2.4.8.(1), except for hose valves, all valves controlling water supplies in a standpipe system shall be equipped with an electrically supervised switch for transmitting a trouble signal to the annunciator in the event of movement of the valve handle.
3. An automatic sprinkler system shall be electrically supervised to indicate a supervisory signal on the building fire alarm system annunciator for each of the following:
   1. movement of a valve handle that controls the supply of water to sprinklers,
   2. loss of excess water pressure required to prevent false alarms in a wet pipe system,
   3. loss of air pressure in a dry pipe system,
   4. loss of air pressure in a pressure tank,
   5. a significant change in water level in any water storage container used for firefighting purposes,
   6. loss of power to any automatically starting fire pump (see Note A-3.2.4.9.(3)(f)), and
   7. a temperature approaching the freezing point in any dry pipe valve enclosure or water storage container used for firefighting purposes.
4. A fire pump shall be electrically supervised as stipulated in NFPA 20, "Installation of Stationary Pumps for Fire Protection."
5. Indication of a supervisory signal in accordance with Sentence (3) shall be transmitted to the fire department in conformance with Sentence 3.2.4.7.(4).

1. Fire detectors required by this Code shall be connected to the fire alarm system.
2. Except as permitted by Sentence (3), if a fire alarm system is required in a building that is not sprinklered, fire detectors shall be installed in the following spaces:
   1. storage rooms not within dwelling units,
   2. service rooms not within dwelling units,
   3. janitors' rooms,
   4. rooms in which hazardous substances are to be used or stored (see Note A-3.3.1.2.(1)),
   5. elevator hoistways and dumbwaiter shafts, and
   6. laundry rooms in buildings of residential occupancy, but not those within dwelling units.
3. Fire detectors required by Sentence (2) need not be provided within floor areas that are sprinklered.
4. Fire detectors required by Sentence (2) shall be installed in elevator hoistways and dumbwaiter shafts where a sprinkler system is not installed within the hoistway or shaft.

1. If a fire alarm system is installed, smoke detectors shall be installed in
   1. except as permitted in Sentence (2), each sleeping room and each corridor serving as part of a means of egress from sleeping rooms in portions of a building classified as a Group B major occupancy,
   2. each room in a contained use area and corridors serving those rooms,
   3. each corridor in portions of a building classified as a Group A, Division 1 major occupancy,
   4. each public corridor in portions of a building classified as a Group C major occupancy,
   5. each exit stair shaft other than those serving only a Group A, Division 4 major occupancy or an open storage garage,
   6. the vicinity of draft stops required by Article 3.2.8.6., and
   7. elevator machine rooms. (See Note A-3.2.4.11.(1).)
2. Smoke detectors need not be installed in sleeping rooms and in corridors serving the sleeping rooms within a suite of care occupancy where smoke alarms are installed in accordance with Article 3.2.4.20.
3. Smoke detectors required in the sleeping rooms of a care, treatment or detention occupancy shall, upon actuation, provide an audible and visible signal to staff serving those rooms so that the room or location containing the actuated smoke detector can be easily identified. (See Note A-3.2.4.11.(3).)
4. Smoke detectors required in Clause (1)(g) shall, upon actuation, recall the elevators served by the elevator machine room in which the smoke detector is installed.
5. Except as permitted in Sentences (6) and (7), smoke detectors installed in buildings required to be equipped with a fire alarm system shall be located near the entrance to walkways described in Articles 3.2.3.19. and 3.2.3.20. or vestibules provided in conformance with Article 3.2.6.3.
6. Smoke detectors installed at the entrance to the walkways in conformance with Article 3.1.8.14. shall be deemed to meet the requirements of Sentence (5).
7. Smoke detectors required by Sentence (5) may be replaced with fire detectors in Group F occupancies where the smoke detectors may be subjected to false alarms due to the activities within the building.

1. If a fire alarm system is installed, an air-handling system shall be designed to prevent the circulation of smoke upon a signal from a duct-type smoke detector if the air-handling system
   1. serves more than one storey,
   2. serves more than one suite in a storey, or
   3. serves more than one fire compartment required by Sentence 3.3.3.5.(2).

1. A central vacuum cleaning system in a building equipped with a fire alarm system shall be designed to shut down upon actuation of the fire alarm system.

1. Except as permitted by Sentence (3), in a building having elevators that serve storeys above the first storey and that are equipped with an automatic emergency recall feature, smoke detectors shall be installed in the elevator lobbies on the recall level so that when these smoke detectors are actuated, the elevators will automatically return directly to an alternate floor level.
2. Smoke detectors required by Sentence (1) shall be designed as part of the building fire alarm system.
3. The alternate floor recall feature required by Sentence (1) is not required if the floor area containing the recall level is sprinklered throughout.

1. An automatic sprinkler system shall be equipped with waterflow detecting devices and, if an annunciator is required by Article 3.2.4.8., shall be installed so that each device serves
   1. not more than one storey, and
   2. an area on each storey that is not more than the system area limits as specified in NFPA 13, "Installation of Sprinkler Systems."
2. Waterflow-detecting devices required by Sentence (1) shall be connected to the fire alarm system so that, upon its actuation, an alert signal or an alarm signal is initiated.
3. The actuation of each waterflow detecting device required by Sentence (1) shall be indicated separately on the fire alarm system annunciator.

1. Except as permitted by Sentences (2) and (3), where a fire alarm system is installed, a manual station shall be installed in every floor area near
   1. every principal entrance to the building, and
   2. every exit. (See Note A-3.2.4.16.(1).)
2. In a building that is sprinklered throughout, a manual station is not required at an exterior egress doorway from a suite that does not lead to an interior shared means of egress in a hotel or motel not more than 3 storeys in building height, provided each suite is served by an exterior exit facility leading directly to ground level.
3. In a building that is sprinklered throughout, a manual station is not required at an exterior egress doorway from a dwelling unit that does not lead to an interior shared means of egress in a building not more than 3 storeys in building height containing only dwelling units, provided each dwelling unit is served by an exterior exit facility leading directly to ground level.
4. In a building referred to in Sentences (2) or (3), manual stations shall be installed near doorways leading from shared interior corridors to the exterior.
5. Where a fire alarm system is installed, a manually operated fire alarm station shall be installed on the roof at each exit from a helicopter landing area.

1. In a 2-stage fire alarm system described in Sentence 3.2.4.4.(2), the same audible signal devices are permitted to be used to sound the alert signals and the alarm signals.
2. If audible signal devices with voice reproduction capabilities are intended for paging and similar voice message use, other than during a fire emergency, they shall be installed so that alert signals and alarm signals take priority over all other signals.
3. Audible signal devices forming part of a fire alarm or voice communication system shall not be used for playing music or background noise.

1. Audible signal devices forming part of a fire alarm system shall be installed in a building so that
   1. alarm signals are clearly audible throughout the floor area, and
   2. alert signals are clearly audible in continuously staffed locations, and where there are no continuously staffed locations, throughout the floor area. (See Note A-3.2.4.18.(1).)
2. The sound pattern of an alarm signal shall conform to the temporal pattern defined in Clause 4.2 of ISO 8201, "Acoustics - Audible emergency evacuation signal." (See Note A-3.2.4.18.(2).)
3. The sound patterns of alert signals shall be significantly different from the temporal patterns of alarm signals. (See Note A-3.2.4.18.(3).)
4. The fire alarm signal sound pressure level shall be not more than 110 dBA in any normally occupied area. (See Note A-3.2.4.18.(4).)
5. The sound pressure level in a sleeping room from a fire alarm audible signal device shall be not less than 75 dBA in a building of residential or care occupancy when any intervening doors between the device and the sleeping room are closed. (See Note A-3.2.4.18.(5).)
6. Except as required by Sentence (5), the sound pressure level from a fire alarm system's audible signal device within a floor area shall be not less than 10 dBA above the ambient noise level without being less than 65 dBA.
7. Except as permitted by Sentence (11), audible signal devices located within a dwelling unit shall include a means for them to be manually silenced for a period of not more than 10 min, after which time the devices shall restore themselves to normal operation. (See Note A-3.2.4.18.(7).)
8. Audible signal devices within a dwelling unit or a suite of residential or care occupancy shall be connected to the fire alarm system
   1. in a manner such that a single open circuit at one device will not impair the operation of other audible signal devices on that same circuit that serve the other dwelling units or suites of residential or care occupancy, or
   2. on separate signal circuits that are not connected to the devices in any other dwelling unit, public corridor or suite of residential or care occupancy. (See Note A-3.2.4.18.(8) and (9).)
9. In a building or part thereof classified as a residential or care occupancy,
   1. separate circuits shall be provided for audible signal devices on each floor area, and
   2. audible signal devices within dwelling units or suites of residential or care occupancy shall be wired on separate signal circuits from those not within dwelling units or suites of residential or care occupancy. (See Note A-3.2.4.18.(8) and (9).)
10. Audible signal devices shall be installed in a service space referred to in Sentence 3.2.1.1.(8) and shall be connected to the fire alarm system.
11. Audible signal devices within dwelling units that are wired on separate signal circuits need not include a means for silencing as required by Sentence (7) provided the fire alarm system includes a provision for an automatic signal silence within dwelling units, where
    1. the automatic signal silence cannot occur within the first 60 s of operation or within the zone of initiation,
    2. a subsequent alarm elsewhere in the building will reactuate the silenced audible signal devices within dwelling units,
    3. after a period of not more than 10 min, the silenced audible signal devices will be restored to continuous audible signal if the alarm is not acknowledged, and
    4. the voice communication systems referred to in Articles 3.2.4.22. and 3.2.4.23. have a provision to override the automatic signal silence to allow the transmission of voice messages through silenced audible signal device circuits that serve the dwelling units. (See Note A-3.2.4.18.(7).)
12. If a 2-stage fire alarm system has been installed with an automatic signal silence as described in Sentence (11), the system shall be designed so that any silenced audible signal devices serving dwelling units are reactuated whenever an alarm signal is required to be transmitted as part of the second stage. (See Note A-3.2.4.18.(7).)

1. Visual signal devices shall be installed in addition to alarm signals
   1. in buildings or portions thereof intended for use primarily by persons with a hearing impairment,
   2. in assembly occupancies in which music and other sounds associated with performances could exceed 100 dBA,
   3. in any floor area in which the ambient noise level is more than 87 dBA, and
   4. in any floor area in which the occupants
      1. use ear protection devices,
      2. are located in an audiometric booth, or
      3. are located in sound-insulating enclosures.
2. Visual signal devices required by Sentence (1) shall be installed so that the signal from at least one device is visible throughout the floor area or portion thereof in which they are installed. (See Note A-3.2.4.19.(2).)

1. Except as provided in Article 3.2.4.21., smoke alarms shall be installed in accordance with this Article.
2. Except as required by Sentence (5) and permitted by Sentence (8), smoke alarms conforming to CAN/ULC-S531, "Smoke Alarms," shall be installed in each dwelling unit and, except for care, treatment or detention occupancies required to have a fire alarm system, in each sleeping room not within a dwelling unit or suite of care occupancy.
3. At least one smoke alarm shall be installed on each storey of a dwelling unit or suite of care occupancy.
4. On any storey of a dwelling unit containing sleeping rooms, a smoke alarm shall be installed
   1. in each sleeping room, and
   2. in a location between the sleeping rooms and the remainder of the storey, and if the sleeping rooms are served by a hallway, the smoke alarm shall be located in the hallway.
5. Where a care occupancy has individual suites for residents, a smoke alarm shall be installed
   1. in each sleeping room, and
   2. in a location between the sleeping rooms and the remainder of the suite, and if the sleeping rooms are served by a corridor within the suite, the smoke alarm shall be located in the corridor.
6. A smoke alarm shall be installed on or near the ceiling.
7. Except as permitted in Sentence (8), smoke alarms referred in Sentence (2) shall
   1. be installed with permanent connections to an electrical circuit (see Note A-3.2.4.20.(7)(a)),
   2. have no disconnect switch between the overcurrent device and the smoke alarm, and
   3. in case the regular power supply to the smoke alarm is interrupted, be provided with a battery as an alternative power source that can continue to provide power to the smoke alarm for a period of no less than 7 days in the normal condition, followed by 4 minutes of alarm.
8. Suites of residential occupancy are permitted to be equipped with smoke detectors in lieu of smoke alarms, provided the smoke detectors
   1. are capable of independently sounding audible signals within the individual suites,
   2. except as permitted in Sentence (9), are installed in conformance with CAN/ULC-S524, "Installation of Fire Alarm Systems," and
   3. form part of the fire alarm system. (See Note A-3.2.4.20.(8).)
9. Smoke detectors permitted to be installed in lieu of smoke alarms as stated in Sentence (8) are permitted to sound localized alarms within individual suites, and need not sound an alarm throughout the rest of the building.
10. If more than one smoke alarm is required in a dwelling unit, the smoke alarms shall be wired so that the actuation of one smoke alarm will cause all smoke alarms within the dwelling unit to sound.
11. A smoke alarm required by Sentence (2) shall be installed in conformance with CAN/ULC-S553, "Installation of Smoke Alarms."
12. Except as permitted in Sentence (13), a manually operated silencing device shall be incorporated within the circuitry of a smoke alarm installed in a dwelling unit so that it will silence the signal emitted by the smoke alarm for a period of not more than 10 min, after which the smoke alarm will reset and again sound the alarm if the level of smoke in the vicinity is sufficient to reactuate the smoke alarm.
13. Suites of residential occupancy equipped with smoke detectors installed to CAN/ULC-S524, "Installation of Fire Alarm Systems," as part of the fire alarm system in lieu of smoke alarms as permitted by Sentence (8), need not incorporate the manually operated device required in Sentence (12). (See Note A-3.2.4.20.(8).)
14. The sound patterns of smoke alarms shall
    1. meet the temporal patterns of alarm signals (see Note A-3.2.4.18.(2)), or
    2. be a combination temporal pattern and voice relay.

1. Except where a fire alarm system is installed or required in a building, smoke detectors forming part of a residential fire warning system installed in conformance with CAN/ULC-S540, "Residential Fire and Life Safety Warning Systems: Installation, Inspection, Testing and Maintenance," are permitted to be installed in lieu of all smoke alarms required by Article 3.2.4.20., provided the system
   1. is capable of sounding audible signals in accordance with Articles 9.10.19.2. and 9.10.19.5.,
   2. is powered in accordance with Article 9.10.19.4., and
   3. is provided with a silencing device in accordance with Article 9.10.19.6.

1. A voice communication system required by Subsection 3.2.6. shall
   1. consist of a two-way means of communication with the central alarm and control facility and to the mechanical control centre from each floor area, and
   2. be capable of broadcasting prerecorded, synthesized, or live messages from the central alarm and control facility that are audible and intelligible in all parts of the building, except that this requirement does not apply to elevator cars (see Note A-3.2.4.22.(1)(b)).
2. The voice communication system referred to in Sentence (1) shall include a means to silence the alarm signal in a single stage fire alarm system while voice instructions are being transmitted, but only after the alarm signal has initially sounded for not less than 30 s.
3. The voice communication system referred to in Sentence (1) shall include a means to silence the alert signal and the alarm signal in a 2-stage fire alarm system while voice instructions are being transmitted, but only after the alert signal has initially sounded for not less than
   1. 10 s in hospitals that have supervisory personnel on duty for twenty-four hours each day, or
   2. 30 s for all other occupancies.
4. The voice communication system referred to in Clause (1)(b) shall be designed so that the alarm signal in a 2-stage fire alarm system can be selectively transmitted to any zone or zones while maintaining an alert signal or selectively transmitting voice instructions to any other zone or zones in the building.
5. The 2-way communication system referred to in Clause (1)(a) shall be installed so that emergency telephones are located in each floor area near exit stair shafts.
6. Visual signal devices required by Sentence 3.2.4.19.(1) shall continue to emit a visible signal while voice instructions are being transmitted.
7. Where the facility is not equipped with staff trained to provide instructions over the loudspeakers, a pre-recorded message shall be provided.

1. Except for Group B, Division 1 and Group F, Division 1 major occupancies, where a fire alarm system is required under Subsection 3.2.4., a one-way voice communication system shall be installed in buildings where a 2-stage fire alarm system is installed and whose occupant load exceeds 1 000.
2. The one-way voice communication system required by Sentence (1) shall consist of loudspeakers that are
   1. operated from the central alarm and control facility or, in the absence of such a facility, from a designated area, and
   2. except in elevator cars, designed and located so that transmitted messages are audible and intelligible in all parts of the building. (See Note A-3.2.4.22.(1)(b).)
3. Where the facility is not equipped with staff trained to provide instructions over the loudspeakers, a pre-recorded message shall be provided.
4. The one-way voice communication system required by Sentence (1) shall meet the silencing and transmission requirements of Sentences 3.2.4.22.(2) to (4) and (6).