Every home in Ontario must have a working smoke alarm on every storey and outside all sleeping areas. Smoke alarms with strobe lights became mandatory in Ontario for new homes and extensive renovations starting January 1, 2015, as per updates to the Ontario Building Code. This requirement ensures accessibility for individuals with hearing impairments.
You are also required to have a Carbon Monoxide (CO) alarm outside of every sleeping area if you have an attached garage or fuel burning appliance in your home.
Smoke Alarms
Smoke Alarms – Select the year your home was built to learn the smoke alarm requirements.
If your home was built before 1976, you must install a battery-operated smoke alarm on every level and outside every sleeping area in your home.
If your home was built between 1976 and 1990, a hard-wired smoke alarm must be installed outside every sleeping area. Battery-operated smoke alarms must be installed on every other level of your home.
If your home was built between October 1, 1990, and 2013, you must install interconnected, hard-wired smoke alarms on every level and outside every sleeping area of your home.
If your home was built on January 1, 2014, or after, you must install interconnected, hard-wired smoke alarms with battery back-up:
- in every bedroom
- on every level
- outside every sleeping area
If your home was built on January 1, 2015, or after, you must install hard-wired, interconnected smoke alarms with battery back-up in every bedroom, on every level and outside every sleeping area of your home. The smoke alarms must be connected to a visual signalling device in your home.
CO alarms
According to the Ontario Fire Code, every residential building that has a fuel-burning appliance or attached storage garage must have CO alarms. Select the year your home was built, to learn about the CO alarm requirements.
If your home was built before August 8, 2002, you must install a battery-operated CO alarm outside every sleeping area of your home.
If your home was built after August 8, 2002, you must install a hard-wired CO alarm outside every sleeping area of your home.
Monthly Testing
Test your smoke and CO alarms monthly by pressing and holding the test button for a few seconds until you hear the alarm sound24. This ensures the alarm circuitry is working and the alert is audible. If the sound is weak or absent, replace the batteries immediately2.
Battery Replacement
For battery-operated alarms, replace the batteries every 6-12 months. Many homeowners choose to do this during daylight saving time changes as an easy-to-remember schedule. For alarms with 10-year lithium batteries, replace the entire unit when you receive the end-of-life notification.
Cleaning
Keep your alarms free from dust, pet hair, and debris by cleaning them regularly. Use the soft brush attachment of a vacuum cleaner to gently clean the vents and sensor. This prevents false alarms and ensures the device can detect hazards effectively.
Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms expire.
Is your smoke or CO alarm celebrating its 10th year in your home? It’s time to replace it!
Check the back of your alarms for the manufacture date. Many alarms expire after 10 years, but some may expire before that, so check with the manufacturer to determine when the alarm will expire. Replace any alarms that have expired.
Once you’ve checked the date, test the alarm. All alarms in your home should be tested monthly by pressing the test button. If they fail, replace them. If they fail well before expiration, contact the manufacturer to see if they have a replacement program.
When installing smoke alarms, it is crucial to consider their proper placement. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Be sure to avoid dead air spaces where there is little to no air circulation, as these areas may prevent smoke from reaching the alarm.
