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Harding at Nepa 2026

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Frequently Asked Questions.

Find answers by category below. If your question is not covered, our team is available directly.

Still need help? Call: 1-866-462-7100 | Mon-Fri 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM MST

About Harding Technologies

Harding Technologies is a Canadian life safety manufacturer based in Edmonton, Alberta. Founded in 1969 as Harding Instruments by a team of University of Alberta professors, the company designs and manufactures the MicroComm DXL intercom system and distributes the Advanced fire alarm product line for Canada and North America. All processes are registered to ISO 9001 international quality standards.
Harding Technologies is located at 9564 Yellowhead Trail NW, Edmonton, Alberta, T5G 0W4, Canada. All manufacturing takes place at this facility.
Harding was founded in 1969 and has been in continuous operation for over 50 years. The company opened its manufacturing division in 1974 and has been manufacturing institutional and industrial electronic products from Edmonton ever since.
Yes. All Harding Technologies processes are registered to ISO 9001 international quality management standards. This covers design, manufacturing, testing, and shipping for all products that leave our facility.
Harding manufactures the MicroComm DXL digital intercom system for correctional, behavioural health, educational, and institutional applications. Harding also distributes the Advanced Electronics fire alarm product line (Axis AX and related products) for the Canadian and North American market. Additionally, Harding manufactures OEM electronic products for customers in oil and gas, oil sands, heavy equipment, and telecommunications industries.
Harding sells both directly and through a network of regional representatives across North America. For intercom products, contact sales@harding.ca. For fire alarm products, contact SalesFireUS@harding-tech.com. Representative maps for both product lines are available on the Contact page.

MicroComm DXL Intercom System

The MicroComm DXL is a digital intercom system specifically designed for high-security and institutional environments. It features a distributed IP architecture, zero call blocking design, digital signal processing for superior audio clarity, and a fault-tolerant platform with comprehensive diagnostics. It is the current-generation MicroComm system and has replaced the legacy DXI in new installations.
Zero call blocking means that every station in the system has its own dedicated 1W audio amplifier. No matter how many simultaneous calls are active across the facility, no station is ever blocked from making or receiving a call. In a correctional facility during a critical incident, or in any high-security environment where communication cannot fail, this architecture is not a feature but a fundamental requirement.
The MicroComm DXL is specifically designed for correctional and high-security facilities, behavioural health institutions, K-12 schools and educational facilities, government and municipal buildings, military installations, and commercial and institutional environments. It is installed in maximum-security prisons, US Army garrisons, behavioral health hospitals, schools, and commercial landmarks across North America.
The MicroComm DXL is designed for a 30 to 40 year service life. Harding maintains parts availability and technical documentation for the full lifespan of the system and continues to support legacy MicroComm DXI systems that were installed decades ago. When you specify a MicroComm DXL, you are specifying a system with a manufacturer committed to supporting it for the life of the facility.
Up to 32 MicroComm DXL exchanges can be interconnected to form larger systems, allowing the platform to scale to handle the station counts of any institutional facility from a small detention centre to a major correctional campus. Contact our technical team for guidance on system sizing for your specific facility.
Yes. The MicroComm DXL is designed for integration with programmable logic controllers, door control systems, and the broader security management infrastructure of a facility. Harding works with the project integrator during the specification phase to confirm interface points and compatibility requirements before equipment is ordered.
Multiple station types are available to suit different facility environments, including standard wall-mount stations, flush-mount correctional-grade stations, tamper-resistant stations for high-security areas, and privacy stations (ICE 421/431 series) for interview rooms and legal consultation areas where audio confidentiality is required. Station types and faceplates are selected during the specification phase.
Yes. The MicroComm DXL is fully software configurable. Changes, additions, and modifications to the system are implemented in software rather than hardware, which means facility renovations, expansions, and operational changes do not require expensive hardware replacement. The modular construction also supports phased construction projects.
The DXI is the legacy MicroComm platform. It is no longer available for new installations but is fully supported by Harding with parts availability, technical documentation, and phone support. The DXL is the current-generation platform featuring distributed IP architecture for greater flexibility in large or complex facilities. New installations and retrofits should specify the DXL. If you are supporting or extending an existing DXI installation, contact our technical team.
Yes. The MicroComm DXL includes discrete audio monitoring capability, allowing authorised operators to monitor specific stations without activating a visible call indication at the monitored location. This is a standard operational requirement in many high-security environments.
Yes. The system includes audio level alarm detection, which can alert operators to abnormal audio conditions at any station. In correctional and high-security settings, this provides an additional layer of situational awareness beyond traditional call-and-respond communication.

Advanced Fire Alarm Products

Harding distributes the Advanced Electronics fire alarm product line for Canada and North America. This includes the Axis AX addressable fire alarm panels in both UL (US) and ULC (Canadian) certified versions, along with Axis AX detectors, modules, and bases. Advanced Electronics is part of Halma PLC, a FTSE 100 global group of life-saving technology companies.
The Advanced Axis AX is a fully addressable fire alarm control panel designed for commercial and high-rise applications. It supports up to 200 panels in a single network, includes integrated voice evacuation with PerfectSync audio synchronisation, features AlarmCalm false alarm management technology, and integrates with building management systems via the Commander field controller. It is certified to UL 864 10th Edition (US) and ULC standards (Canada).
UL (Underwriters Laboratories) is the US listing standard for fire alarm equipment. ULC (Underwriters Laboratories of Canada) is the equivalent Canadian certification. They are not interchangeable. Projects in the United States require UL-listed equipment. Projects in Canada require ULC-certified equipment. Advanced Axis AX products are available in both certifications, which simplifies specification for cross-border projects. If you are unsure which applies to your project, contact our fire team.
The Advanced Axis AX product line is designed for hotels and commercial high-rise buildings, multi-residential towers and high-rise residential, battery energy storage facilities requiring early thermal runaway detection, and general commercial and institutional fire protection. The system scales from single-panel commercial sites to complex 200-panel institutional networks.
PerfectSync is Advanced's audio synchronisation technology that ensures voice evacuation announcements are perfectly synchronised across all floors and zones of a building simultaneously. Without synchronisation, audio from different floors can overlap and create confusion during an emergency. PerfectSync eliminates this problem and is a standard feature of the Advanced Axis AX system.
Yes. The Advanced Axis AX integrates with building management systems (BMS) via the Commander field controller, allowing fire alarm events to be communicated to and coordinated with the broader building management infrastructure.
Yes. Advanced fire solutions address battery energy storage system applications, providing early warning detection for lithium-ion battery thermal runaway. Early detection at the off-gas stage, before heat or smoke sensors would trigger, gives facility operators the maximum possible time to initiate a response. Contact our fire team to discuss BESS-specific requirements for your project.
The FxIP was an earlier fire alarm product line distributed by Harding. It is no longer available for new installations but is fully supported by Harding with technical documentation, legacy product resources, and phone support. All FxIP documentation is available through the Technical Support section of the website.

Technical Support

Technical support is available Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM Mountain Standard Time. On-call coverage is available for weekends and statutory holidays for urgent matters. Call 1-866-462-7100 and follow the prompts for urgent technical support outside of business hours.
Call our toll-free number at 1-866-462-7100 or US/International at 1-780-462-7100 during business hours. You can also submit a support request through the Technical Support Hub on this website. For fire alarm technical questions, contact SalesFireUS@harding-tech.com. For intercom technical questions, contact sales@harding.ca.
Harding provides phone and remote technical support throughout the project, from pre-installation questions through commissioning and ongoing operation. Physical installation is performed by the appointed electrical contractor or integrator, not by Harding. For commissioning support, our technical team is available by phone throughout the process.
Yes. Harding maintains full technical documentation, parts availability, and phone support for legacy MicroComm DXI systems. We also maintain technical archives for older system generations. If you are supporting a DXI installation, contact our technical support team and we will help you find what you need.
Yes. Full documentation for FxIP annunciators, detectors, fire control panels, modules, pull stations, voice systems, and notification devices is available through the Technical Support section of the website. Phone support is available for FxIP systems through the standard support line.
All technical documentation is available through the Technical Support Hub on this website. This includes the MicroComm DXL Specification Manual (updated January 2026), Technical Manual, AutoCAD Drawings, System Description, Block Diagram, and Compatibility Specifications. Advanced fire alarm documentation, certifications, and terms and conditions are also available through the same hub.
Yes. AutoCAD drawings for the MicroComm DXL system are available for download through the Technical Support Hub. If you require project-specific drawings or modified layouts, contact our technical team and we will advise on the best approach for your project.

Specifications and Documentation

Harding provides a complete documentation package for both intercom and fire alarm projects. This includes engineering specification templates, AutoCAD drawings and block diagrams, system description documents, technical manuals, compliance certifications, and terms and conditions. For intercom projects, the MicroComm DXL A and E specification (updated January 2026) is available for download. Contact our team for fire alarm specification packages.
Yes. Harding offers Lunch and Learn sessions for engineering and architectural teams across North America. Sessions cover system capabilities, specification language, integration requirements, and compliance documentation, tailored to the sector and project type you are working on. Contact our team at sales@harding.ca to arrange a session.
Yes. Harding's technical and sales teams can assist engineers in writing proprietary specification language for the MicroComm DXL that is accurate, defensible, and appropriate for the project's procurement framework. Contact sales@harding.ca to discuss your specification requirements.
Contact our intercom sales team at sales@harding.ca or call 1-866-462-7100. Provide the project details and we will prepare a submittal package including system description, specification documents, compliance certifications, and any other documentation required for your submittal.
Yes. The MicroComm DXL Specification Manual, Technical Manual, AutoCAD Drawing, System Description, Block Diagram, and Compatibility Specifications are all available for download through the Technical Support Hub on this website. Advanced fire alarm brochures and documentation are also available there. Some documents require you to contact the team for project-specific versions.

Compliance and Certifications

Yes. The MicroComm DXL is designed to meet Trade Agreements Act (TAA) compliance requirements. For projects that require TAA compliance documentation, contact our team and we will provide the relevant certification records.
Yes. The MicroComm DXL is designed to meet National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) compliance requirements. This is particularly relevant for US federal projects and government-funded institutional facilities. Full NDAA documentation is available on request.
Yes. All Harding Technologies processes are registered to ISO 9001 international quality management standards. This covers every stage from design through manufacturing, testing, and shipping. ISO 9001 certification documentation is available for procurement review upon request.
Yes. Advanced Axis AX fire alarm products are certified to UL 864 10th Edition for the US market. This is the current standard for fire alarm control panels in the United States.
Yes. Advanced Axis AX panels and devices are available in ULC-certified versions for the Canadian market. Both UL and ULC versions are available, which makes the Advanced line the right choice for cross-border projects that need to satisfy both standards.
Yes. For government-funded projects requiring TAA compliance, NDAA compliance, ISO 9001 certification, or other regulatory documentation, contact our team at sales@harding.ca (intercom) or SalesFireUS@harding-tech.com (fire). We will prepare the documentation package required for your submittal.

Ordering and Delivery

Contact our intercom sales team directly at sales@harding.ca or call 1-866-462-7100 during business hours (Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM MST). Provide your project details including facility type, approximate station count, and any integration requirements, and we will prepare a quotation.
Contact our fire sales team at SalesFireUS@harding-tech.com or call 1-866-462-7100. Provide the project details and product requirements and we will respond with pricing and availability.
Lead times for MicroComm DXL intercom systems vary depending on the system size and configuration. Contact our intercom sales team at sales@harding.ca for current lead time estimates based on your specific project requirements.
Harding targets a 48-hour ship time for standard Advanced fire alarm product orders. For non-standard items or large project quantities, contact our fire sales team at SalesFireUS@harding-tech.com to confirm current availability and lead times.
Yes. Harding ships to customers in Canada, the United States, and internationally. Contact our sales team for shipping details and export requirements for your specific destination.
DXI/DXL intercom terms and conditions and Advanced fire product terms and conditions are available through the Technical Support Hub on this website. FxIP legacy fire product terms and conditions are also available there.
Yes. Harding has regional representatives for both intercom and fire products across North America. MicroComm and fire representative maps are available on the Contact page. You can also order directly through Harding at the contact details above.

OEM and Partnerships

Yes. Harding Technologies has been manufacturing OEM electronic products for industrial customers since 1969. Current and past OEM product categories include gas flow computers and flow totalisers for oil and gas measurement, oil sands bitumen content monitors for tar-sand extraction plants, variable pitch fan controllers for heavy equipment, and telecommunications devices. If you have an electronic product that requires engineering development and production manufacturing, contact us to discuss whether Harding is the right partner.
Harding's engineering team has expertise across microprocessor hardware and embedded software development, digital signal processing, analog and digital circuit design, intrinsically safe circuitry for hazardous locations, low temperature circuitry for extreme cold environments, FPGA design, precision measurement systems, low power circuit design, power supply design, and Echelon LonWorks integration.
Yes. One example is the long-standing partnership with Cameron Measurement Systems, through which Harding has captured a significant share of the gas flow computer market. Harding also distributes the Advanced Electronics fire alarm product line for Canada and North America as an authorised distribution partner. If you are interested in discussing a partnership or distribution arrangement, contact us at 1-866-462-7100 or through the Contact page.
Contact us through the Contact page or call 1-866-462-7100. Provide a description of your product, the application environment it will operate in, and the volume you are anticipating. Our engineering team will review the requirements and come back to you with an honest assessment of whether Harding is the right manufacturing partner for your project.

Still Have a Question

If your question is not answered here, our team is available directly. We have been building and supporting these systems for 50 years and we are happy to answer any question about our products, our process, or your project.
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