Ontario rental apartment smoke alarm requirements

Ontario rental apartment smoke alarm requirements

As of March 3, 2006, the Ontario Fire Code requires a smoke alarm that meets CAN/ULC-S531 between each sleeping area and the remainder of the apartment. Your rental apartment is required to have one smoke alarm on every level of the apartment and outside all sleeping areas in apartments, single family, semi-detached, and townhouses regardless of whether the owner lives there or whether inhabited by renters. For maximum protection, a smoke alarm should be installed in every room.

According to Ontario Fire Marshal, Bernard Moyle, "We expect that having more smoke alarms in homes will mean earlier warning of fire, which will result in faster escape by occupants, earlier arrival by the fire department, and ultimately less risk to firefighters and the public."

Smoke alarms can cost as little as $10.

Non-compliance with the new requirements can result in a ticket for $235 or a fine of up to $50,000.

Breakdown of the new requirements:

• Every home in Ontario must have a working smoke alarm on every storey and outside all sleeping areas.
• It's the responsibility of home or apartment owners to maintain smoke alarms.
• Landlords are responsible for making sure their rental properties comply with the law.
• If you're a tenant and you find your apartment doesn't have the required number of smoke alarms, contact your landlord.
It's against the law for tenants to remove the batteries or tamper with the alarm.

How to choose and care for a smoke alarm:

• Choose the best alarm for you. There are many different types of smoke alarms to choose from. Smoke alarms can be electrically connected, battery-operated or both.
• Install smoke alarms on every level of your apartment/home and near each sleeping area. Remember to replace alarms that are more than 10 years old. Smoke alarms don't last forever.
• Because smoke rises, it is recommended that you place the alarms on the ceiling. Avoid ceilings near bathrooms, heating appliances, windows and ceiling fans.
• Test your smoke alarms monthly by pressing the test button. You can also test your alarms by using smoke from a smoldering cotton string.
• Install a new battery in each alarm once a year. When warning beeps sound, replace your battery immediately. Never wait. Change your batteries when you change your clocks' in the spring and fall.
• Keep your alarms well-maintained. Prevent dust from clogging your smoke alarms by gently vacuuming them with a soft brush every six months. Never vacuum electrically connected alarms unless you shut off the power. Test each unit when finished.
• Draw a floor plan showing how you and your family would escape a fire in your home. Look for two ways out of each room and have a pre-arranged meeting place outside. Regularly practice with every member of your home. After everyone is outside, call 9-1-1 from a safe location.
• When installing, testing, and maintaining smoke alarms, make sure you follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Date published: March 3, 2006

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