Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Smoke Alarms
Did you know every home in Ontario must have a working smoke alarm on every story and outside all sleeping areas – “It's the Law”.
Homeowners – All homeowners must install and maintain smoke alarms on every story of their home and outside all sleeping areas.
Landlords – If you rent out your property you must ensure smoke alarms are installed and in working condition. To protect yourself it is always a good idea to have a signed document from your tenant stating the alarms are installed and working on an annual basis.
Tenants – It is against the law for tenants to remove the batteries or tamper with smoke alarms in any way. It is your responsibility to ensure the alarms are working on a monthly basis by pushing the test button. If you do not have the required alarms installed or they are not working, contact your landlord immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions about smoke alarms
| Why do I need to replace the smoke alarms in my house after 10 years? |
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After ten years, the smoke alarm has tested the air in your home 3.5 million times. The components inside the alarm can wear out and may not detect a fire as quickly. Most manufacturers recommend replacing them, including electrical alarms, after ten years to ensure the best level of protection in your home. |
| Why does using my toaster or steam from my shower set off my smoke alarm? |
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So simply, sometimes there is smoke generated from the toaster when it's in use, and if that smoke gets into the smoke alarm the alarm will go off. As well the water vapour from the shower mimics the effect of smoke and causes the alarm to go off. Smoke alarms are designed to be very sensitive in order to detect smoke. As annoying as an overly sensitive smoke alarm may be, it's still a key part of your home's security to give you an early warning of any fire conditions to allow you time to escape. In certain situations, you may have less than 2 minutes to safely get out of your home. If your smoke alarm continuously goes off when you cook, do not take the alarm down, but replace it with a unit that has a hush button feature. You can also move it further away from the kitchen, but keep in mind that a smoke alarm must be placed outside all sleeping areas. |
| Can I be fined or charged if I do not have smoke alarms in my home? |
| Effective March 1, 2006, it is the law for all Ontario homes to have a working smoke alarm on every storey and outside all sleeping areas. If your home does not meet this criterion and a Fire Prevention Officer has visited your home, you could be fined and/or charged under the Ontario Fire Code. |
| Can you recommend a smoke alarm and where I can buy one? |
| The Fire Department of North Huron cannot recommend a brand of smoke alarm. However, we do recommend that electrical smoke alarms (hard wired) and battery-operated smoke alarms be U.L.C. listed. Products that have been evaluated by Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (U.L.C.) and found to meet their requirements carry the ULC mark. Most department or hardware stores carry a variety of smoke alarms. |
| Where should I install my smoke alarm? |
| The smoke alarms should be installed between each sleeping area and the remainder of the building or where a sleeping area is served by a hallway, install the alarm in the hall. Always install the smoke alarm on or near the ceiling in accordance with the manufacturer's installation instructions. Effective March 1, 2006, it is the law for all Ontario homes to have a working smoke alarm on every storey and outside all sleeping areas. With this previously announced Fire Code amendment now in effect, it is hoped there will be a reduction of the number of preventable fire-related injuries and fatalities. The amendment covers single family, semi-detached and town homes, whether owner-occupied or rented. |
| How do I maintain my smoke alarm? |
| Install a new battery of the proper type at least once a year. If the low battery warning beeps, replace the battery immediately. We change our clocks each spring and fall, which are good times to change your smoke alarm batteries. Never remove the battery for use in other devices. Dust can clog a smoke alarm, so carefully vacuum the inside of a battery powered unit using the soft bristle brush. If electrically connected, shut off the power and vacuum the outside vents only. Restore power and test the unit when finished. Smoke alarms do wear out, so if you think your alarms are more than 10 years old, replace them with new ones. |
| Carbon Monoxide Alarms |
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The Ontario Fire Code requires that you must have a carbon monoxide alarm outside all sleeping areas in the home if you have a fuel burning appliance, a fireplace, or an attached garage with a parked vehicle inside. If someone sleeps downstairs in the basement and someone sleeps upstairs, you must have two alarms. You can install a carbon monoxide alarm anywhere near the sleeping area. Some models plug into an outlet, others are battery operated and can be placed on a hallway table. Ultimately, it doesn't matter what height the alarm is placed because CO is the same weight as air. Your home's heating and cooling system helps keep air circulating, so carbon monoxide will be detected anywhere in the room. If you install a combination alarm (smoke and carbon monoxide), it must be installed on the ceiling or higher up on the wall close to the ceiling, so the smoke alarm features work properly. Older carbon monoxide alarm models have a lifespan generally of five to seven years while newer carbon monoxide models last for ten years, but it is best to check your individual unit and see the recommended replacement date by the manufacturer. |
What is Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a deadly, colorless, odourless, poisonous gas. It is produced by the incomplete burning of various fuels, including coal, wood, charcoal, oil, kerosene, propane, and natural gas. Carbon monoxide is dangerous because we cannot see, taste, smell, or touch it. You may not know if you have a buildup of CO in the home.
Sources of Carbon Monoxide
Most Ontario homes have an average of four to six appliances that produce carbon monoxide. These include a furnace, wood fireplace or wood stove, gas fireplace, gas barbeque, gas stove, gas dryer, gas water heater, portable generators and gas fueled heaters. The best way to ensure that you and your family are not exposed to carbon monoxide is to take steps to prevent this poisonous gas at the source. It is also recommended to have a trained, certified technician check your furnace, fireplace or fuel-burning appliances on a yearly basis. Other sources of carbon monoxide include exhaust fumes from vehicles or other gas-powered equipment like lawnmowers and snow blowers used in your attached garage. Chimneys that are blocked or dirty and even tobacco smoke can cause carbon monoxide.
Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide
The initial symptoms of low to moderate carbon monoxide poisoning are like the flu (but without the fever). Symptoms include headache, fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea and dizziness. High level carbon monoxide poisoning results in progressively more severe symptoms, including mental confusion, vomiting, loss of muscular coordination, loss of consciousness and ultimately, death.
More Information
In Ontario, The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) is the organization that provides resources and information on the topic of carbon monoxide. For more information visit their website https://www.tssa.org/en/index.aspx or call 1.877.682.TSSA (8772).
For more information on smoke and carbon monoxide alarms contact the fire department or visit:
https://www.mcscs.jus.gov.on.ca/english/OfficeFireMarshal/FireSafetyandPublicEducation/Topic.html
https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Teaching-tools/Canadian-fire-education-materials
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