Fire alarm and sprinkler isolation
Any fire alarm or sprinkler system maintenance activity (repair, replacement, relocation, inspection, installation or verification) requires first doing an isolation.
Fire alarm isolation
Fire alarm isolation involves temporarily disabling specific zones or parts of a fire alarm system to allow for safe maintenance or renovation work in those areas without causing a system-wide alarm.
Fire alarm isolation is crucial for maintaining the integrity and functionality of a fire alarm system, ensuring that a fault in one section doesn’t compromise the entire system, and allowing for safe maintenance and repairs.
Sprinkler isolation
Sprinkler isolation involves temporarily shutting off the water supply to a specific section or the entire system for maintenance, testing or repairs, while ensuring the rest of the system remains operational.
New process for fire alarm and sprinkler requests
As of March 31, 2025, there is a new process to request fire alarm and sprinkler isolations and other activities, including fire alarm and sprinkler repairs and replacements, relocations, inspections and installations, and verifications.
The new process will improve communication between stakeholders and ensure fire alarm and sprinkler system requests are scheduled promptly, avoiding unnecessary project delays.
Please follow the updated process outlined below.
Requesting a fire alarm or sprinkler isolation
The U of T project, property manager or campus client should complete this web form to request a fire alarm isolation, sprinkler isolation or any other fire alarm or sprinkler system activity.
Please have all project or renovation contractor details before submitting your request. You may use this contractor information PDF form to collect the required information from the construction or renovation contractor.
The Fire Prevention team works with contracted partners for some fire alarm or sprinkler activity requests. Depending on the type of activity requested, the contractor or sprinkler team requires a minimum notice period of 48 hours (two business days) and up to two weeks. Please submit your request as soon as you have all the required information so we can work within your project timeline whenever possible.
The requestor will receive a response from the Fire Prevention team within two business days.
Cancelling an isolation request
If a fire alarm or sprinkler isolation is no longer required, please contact the fire prevention officer or sprinkler foreperson that reviewed your request. Failing to cancel an isolation that is not needed will result in unnecessary fees.
Fire watch
During a fire alarm or sprinkler isolation, the contractor must implement a fire watch. The project or renovation contractor is responsible for conducting the fire watch. Learn more about our fire watch procedure.
Questions
If you have questions about fire alarm or sprinkler isolations, please contact your fire prevention officer.