Carbon monoxide alarms now required on every floor under Ontario fire code

New Ontario Fire Code rules that took effect Jan. 1 require carbon monoxide alarms on every floor of residences with gas-burning appliances, fireplaces or attached garages, and expand requirements for apartments, condos and some public corridors.

New Ontario Fire Code rules that took effect on Jan. 1 require carbon monoxide alarms on every floor of residences that have gas-burning appliances, a fireplace or an attached garage. The update keeps the existing requirement for alarms outside sleeping areas and adds extra alarms as an additional layer of protection. Reporting cites provincial fire officials and public-health data on yearly carbon monoxide deaths and common sources. The update also includes changes that affect apartments, condominiums and retirement homes. Key details: - The new rules, effective Jan. 1, require carbon monoxide alarms on every floor of residences with gas-burning appliances, fireplaces or attached garages. - The prior requirement to place alarms outside sleeping areas remains in place; the additional alarms are intended as extra protection. - The Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs reports that about 88% of homes have a potential carbon monoxide source and cites over 50 annual deaths in Canada, about 11 per year on average in Ontario. - A Health Canada study covering 2011–2023 lists common sources of carbon monoxide as vehicle emissions, smoke and fire, and barbecues. - For multi-residential buildings, alarms are now required inside suites that are heated by air from a fuel-burning appliance located outside the unit, and an alarm is required on each floor of multi-floor units. - Public corridors must have alarms if they are heated by air from a fuel-burning appliance. Summary: The update increases the locations and number of required alarms across many homes and multi-residential buildings to broaden detection where fuel-burning appliances or heated-air systems exist. Undetermined at this time.