Working Fire Alarms:
IT'S THE LAW!

Effective March 1, 2006

An amendment to the Ontario Fire Code will require homes to have working smoke alarms on every level. This is in addition to the existing requiement of having smoke alarms outside all sleeping areas.

The amendment applies to all single-family, semi-attached and town homes, whether owner occupied or rented.

For homeowners, that may mean purchasing additional smoke alarms and installing tham on every level of their home and outside all sleeping areas. Failure to do so could result in a ticket for $235.

Landlords must make sure their rental properties comply with the law. Individual landlords who fail to comply with the Fire Code smoke alarm requirements can face penalties of up to $25,000.

The Fire Code amendment comes into effect on March 1, 2006. After that date, fire departments will be enforcing the regulation in communities throughout Ontario.

FACTS ABOUT SMOKE ALARMS

Ontario fire statistics reveal that in about 50 per cent of fatal home fires, the victims had no smoke alarm warning.

Test your smoke alarms once a month and change the batteries every year.

Never remove the batteries from smoke alarms. If nuisance alarms are a problem, try moving the alarm to another location or purchase an alarm with a "hush feature" that temporarily silences the alarm.

Smoke alarms don't last forever. Replace smoke alarms if they are more than ten years old.

Make sure everyone in the household knows what to do if the smoke alarm sounds. Develop a home fire escape plan and practice it with the entire household.

TAKE NOTE: It might be a good time to review pages 19 to 21 of our Child Safety Reference Manual.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
www.ofm.gov.on.ca
Office of the Fire Marshall

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