Smoke Alarm Requirements

Every home in Ontario must have a working smoke alarm on every storey and outside all sleeping areas.

IT’S THE LAW.

Homeowners

It is the responsibility of homeowners to install and maintain smoke alarms on every storey of their home and outside sleeping areas.

Landlords

It is the responsibility of landlords to ensure their rental properties comply with the law.

Tenants

If you are a tenant of a rental property and do not have the required number of smoke alarms, contact your landlord immediately. It is against the law for tenants to remove the batteries or tamper with the alarm in any way.

FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE FIRE CODE SMOKE ALARM REQUIREMENTS COULD RESULT IN A TICKET FOR $235 OR A FINE OF UP TO $50,000 FOR INDIVIDUALS OR $100,000 FOR CORPORATIONS.

When installing smoke alarms, refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for information about correct placement.

• Test your smoke alarms every month using the test button.
• Replace smoke alarm batteries at least once a year, and whenever the low-battery warning chirps.
• Smoke alarms don’t last forever. Replace smoke alarms with new ones if they are more than ten years old.
• Steam from the shower or cooking in the oven, stove or toaster can cause smoke alarms to activate. DO NOT REMOVE THE BATTERY. Instead, try moving the alarm to a different location, or purchase a smoke alarm with a hush feature that will temporarily silence the alarm. For further information about dealing with nuisance alarms, visit the OFM website: www.ofm.gov.on.ca

Click here to watch a short video from the U.K. that will show you why you need working smoke alarms in your home.

"Lose an Hour - Gain a Life".  Do you replace your smoke alarm batteries when you change your clocks?  Click here to watch a great video from the www.safeathome.ca campaign pages.

For more information, contact the Chief Fire Prevention Officer by e-mail or by phone at 905-683-4481.