Fire Protection Blog
Expert articles, practical guides, and industry insights for building owners and property managers across Alberta.
GuidesWhat to do when a backflow test fails in Edmonton
A failed backflow test starts a clock. Here is the repair or replace path EPCOR expects, the usual causes, RP versus DCVA on fire lines, and what a shutdown means for your sprinklers.
GuidesConstruction site fire safety plans in Alberta, step by step
What Alberta's fire code requires in a construction site fire safety plan, who has to accept it, how hot work and impairments are handled, and what Edmonton expects from contractors.
Code UpdatesEdmonton fire inspection reports and the LIV portal explained
Since September 8, 2026, Edmonton Fire Rescue expects fire system inspection reports through the LIV portal. What it covers, who registers, the 14-day and 24-hour clocks, and what to ask.
Code UpdatesEmergency lighting testing in Alberta, monthly and yearly
What Alberta's fire code says about testing emergency lights and exit signs, why the 30 versus 90 minute confusion exists, and a monthly and yearly routine you can run and record.
GuidesFire safety plans in Edmonton, who needs one and what goes in it
Under Alberta's fire code, every building that must have a fire alarm needs a fire safety plan. What it contains, how often it's reviewed, drill schedules, posting rules and how Edmonton fits in.
GuidesWhat drives fire sprinkler inspection cost in Edmonton
No honest contractor can price a sprinkler inspection from a postal code. Here is what moves the number, what a base visit leaves out, and how to compare quotes that look alike but aren't.
GuidesFire watch requirements in Alberta and when you need one
Alberta's fire code names fire watch in a few specific places, and none of them is a blanket rule. Where a watch is required, what it involves, and what nobody has published for Edmonton.
GuidesThe 5-year internal sprinkler pipe inspection in Alberta
What NFPA 25's five-year internal pipe assessment is, how it's done, what it finds, how sampling works and how to plan it around an occupied building in Edmonton.
GuidesFire protection closeout documents, a general contractor checklist
Which acceptance tests, letters, schedules and records a general contractor should have in hand before occupancy in Alberta, and what the owner needs to keep afterward.
GuidesSprinkler submittals and permits, a guide for general contractors
What lands on your desk in a fire sprinkler design submittal, what the designer needs from you first, and how permits, registered professionals and revisions work in Alberta.
GuidesSprinkler system out of service, an owner's impairment checklist
A working checklist for planned and emergency sprinkler impairments in Alberta, built on NFPA 25 Chapter 15 and NFC(AE) 2023 notification rules. Tags, roles, who to call, and the 10-hour threshold.
GuidesHow to winterize sprinkler and alarm systems in Edmonton
An October checklist for Edmonton building owners covering unheated spaces, dry valve rooms, heat trace, backflow assemblies, pump rooms, hydrants and alarm batteries, with the checks you can do yourself.
Code UpdatesWhat the Alberta Fire Code requires for annual inspections
The Alberta Fire Code rarely states an inspection interval itself. Here is where each annual, monthly and quarterly duty comes from, clause by clause.
GuidesESFR sprinklers in Edmonton warehouses and what limits them
ESFR can protect racked storage from the ceiling, but only inside firm limits on clearance, obstructions and water supply. What Edmonton GCs and owners should settle before the racks arrive.
Code UpdatesFire alarm verification, annual testing and ULC monitoring
Verification proves a new alarm system works, the annual test proves it still does, and monitoring carries its signals off site. What S537, S536 and S561 mean in Alberta, and what Edmonton expects.
GuidesClosing out a fire marshal deficiency notice in Edmonton
Stabilize any impaired system, correct the defect, retest, document it and get the proof to Edmonton Fire Rescue before the date on the notice. Here is the path.
GuidesNFPA 25 inspection frequencies for Edmonton building owners
Every weekly, quarterly, annual and multi-year task on an NFPA 25-2017 sprinkler calendar, what changed in 2017, and what an Edmonton winter adds.
GuidesWet vs dry sprinkler systems for Alberta winters
Wet pipe is the default, but any pipe that can't stay above 4°C needs another answer. How wet, dry, dry-type, preaction and antifreeze systems compare in an Edmonton winter.
GuidesBest Fire Alarm with Carbon Monoxide Options for Homes
The combination smoke and CO alarm market has consolidated around a few serious options. Here is what actually matters when choosing one, and what you can safely ignore.
GuidesInstalling a Fire Alarm with Carbon Monoxide Detector? Avoid These Costly Mistakes
Combination smoke and CO alarms seem straightforward. Most of the installation errors that compromise them are not obvious until an inspection or, worse, an emergency.
GuidesTypes of Fire Extinguisher Classes (A, B, C, D, K): Which One Do You Need?
Using the wrong fire extinguisher can make a fire worse, or get someone killed. Here's how to choose the right class for every hazard in your building.
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