Increased requirements for CO detectors

Starting Jan. 1, changes to the Ontario Fire Code will require any home with a fuel burning appliance, fireplace or attached garage to have carbon monoxide (CO) detectors on each level of the home, and outside all sleeping areas.

Kent McDonald, Fire Prevention Officer for Clearview Township, says the new rule is aimed at enhancing safety in residential spaces.

“Basically, this just brings the requirement for CO detectors in line with the rules for smoke alarms which are already in place,” said McDonald. “Previously, the rules required just one CO detector somewhere in the house.”

“Our focus is on education first,” he said. “There is the potential for fines under the legislation, but 99.9 per cent of the time when people are not in compliance, it’s just a matter of they are not aware of the requirements. Our position is that CO detectors save lives. The rules are there because someone in a similar situation has perished. Our policy is to lead with education, and we’ve never had to go down the road of heavy-handed enforcement.”

McDonald says most requests for inspections come from seniors or residents with mobility concerns. Occasionally, a caregiver such as a PSW (personal support worker) will reach out to the fire department and express concern that a home is not adequately protected.

When an alarm, whether a CO detector or smoke alarm is going off, McDonald says it should be treated as an emergency.

“Call 9-1-1 and evacuate immediately,” he said. “In the case of an intermittent alarm, you should still call 9-1-1 but let them know it is intermittent and we will respond on a non-emergency basis.”