New legislation starting on April 15: Carbon Monoxide Alarms Are Required in All Ontario

Carbon monoxide is a poisonous, colourless, tasteless and odourless gas. Common sources of carbon monoxide include furnaces, hot water heaters, gas or wood fireplaces, portable fuel-burning heaters and generators, barbecues, stoves and vehicles.

New Regulations: Changes You Need to Know
Section 2.16 under the Ontario Fire Code has been amended regarding the installation of carbon monoxide alarms. As of April 15, 2015, there are new carbon monoxide regulations that all Ontario homeowners and residential building owners (with 6 units or less) need to be aware of and understand.

About Carbon Monoxide Alarms

All installed carbon monoxide alarms shall:

• be permanently connected to an electrical circuit with no disconnect switch between the overcurrent device and the carbon monoxide alarm, or
• be battery-operated, or
• be plugged into an electrical receptacle, or
• be mechanically fixed, attached, plugged in or placed at the manufacturer’s recommended height or, if the manufacturer has not recommended a height, on or near the ceiling, or
• be installed beside to a sleeping area equipped with an alarm that is audible throughout the sleeping area, even if any doors between the carbon monoxide alarm and any parts of the sleeping area are closed.
• meet the requirements of CSA-6.19, “Residential Carbon Monoxide Alarming Devices” or UL 2034, “Single and Multiple Station Carbon Monoxide Alarms”

Residents are reminded to check their carbon monoxide alarms and any fuel-burning appliances they use to make sure they are working properly. For more information, please visit mfeshomesafehome.ca. For more information about carbon monoxide, please visit the Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management website.

Carbon Monoxide Alarm Questions and Answers