Does the Ontario Building Code allow for the installation of fault isolation modules above a T-Bar Ceiling?
Neither the National Building Code or the Provincial ones stipulate exactly WHERE to mount fault isolation modules. For the answer to this question, you have to reference CAN/ULC-S524-06 (Standard for Installation of Fire Alarm Systems), specifically Section 5.14 which is titled “Fault Isolation Modules”. Clause 5.14.3 states: “Except as noted in Clause 5.14.4, fault isolation modules, shall be located in a separate enclosure, installed so as to be visible and accessible at all times, and located beyond the last device in the data communication link serving that floor area.” (actual answer underlined for emphasis) The way I interpret this clause in the Standard is that you can mount the isolator IN the T-Bar, but not ABOVE it for the unit to meet the requirement of being “visible and accessible at all times”. There are some additional requirements as well (the least of which is the test to meet the required fire rating which most T-Bar ceiling systems fail to do). It’s best for you to
