Fire & Emergency Services

A request for a complaint inspection form can be submitted by any member of the community who is concerned with a Fire Code concern. Requester information can be kept confidential if requested.

Requirements of both the Fire and Building Departments will have to be met prior to receiving Occupancy, as granted by the City’s Building Inspectors. Fire safety requirements inspected by the Fire Department include but are not limited to:

• Emergency lighting
• Fire extinguishers
• Fire alarm and sprinkler systems components/verification

• Fire suppression, water rescue, specialized rescue and auto extrication
• Emergency medical response
• Commercial and residential inspections
• Fire prevention and public education programs throughout the year with a special focus during Fire Prevention Week in October
• The “Alarmed for Life” home smoke alarm safety check program, that involves the fire department conducting home fire safety checks to confirm that there are an adequate number of smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms and that they are properly located within the dwelling
• Assist businesses in preparing a “Fire Safety Plan”
• Provide infant car seat installation guidance and training
• Promote emergency preparedness

Smoke Alarm Facts

It’s the law — Under the Ontario Fire Code, every home must have working smoke alarms on every level. Landlords are legally responsible for ensuring that smoke alarms are installed and maintained. Tenants must immediately notify their landlord if an alarm is not working so it can be repaired or replaced.

Smoke alarms save lives — Most fatal home fires occur at night while people are asleep. Victims are often overcome by smoke before they even wake up. A working smoke alarm detects smoke early and sounds an alert, giving you and your family valuable time to escape safely.

One Smoke Alarm is Not Enough
For the best protection, install smoke alarms on every level of your home and near all sleeping areas. If you or your family sleep with bedroom doors closed, be sure to place a smoke alarm inside each bedroom as well.

Smoke Alarms Don’t Last Forever
Smoke alarms wear out over time. If your alarms are more than 10 years old, replace them with new ones. Remember that a hardwired smoke alarm must be replaced with another hardwired model—battery-only units cannot be used as substitutes.

Types and Styles of Smoke Alarms

Smoke alarms come with a range of features and technologies. They may be battery-powered, hardwired, or a combination of both, and many models include a hush feature to reduce nuisance alarms. Two main technologies are used to detect smoke:

• Photoelectric smoke alarms: Ideal for living rooms, bedrooms, and kitchens, especially where smoldering fires may occur.
• Ionization smoke alarms: Best suited for areas containing highly combustible materials that can cause fast-flaming fires.

Smoke Alarm Maintenance

Only a working smoke alarm can save your life. Simple maintenance will ensure your alarms function properly when you need them most.

Test regularly.
Press the test button on each smoke alarm once a month to confirm it is working.

Change the Battery Annually.
Install a fresh battery at least once a year, and replace it immediately if you hear a low-battery warning beep. A good reminder is to change your batteries when you change your clocks in the spring and fall.

Clean Alarms Twice a Year
Dust can interfere with operation. Gently vacuum the inside of battery-powered units using a soft brush. For hardwired alarms, vacuum the exterior vents only.

Replace Alarms Every 10 Years
All smoke alarms have a limited lifespan. If yours are more than a decade old, replace them with new models to ensure reliable performance.

As of January 1, 2026, the Ontario Fire Code introduces expanded requirements for carbon monoxide alarms in residential buildings to improve safety and reduce the risk of CO poisoning.

Who Must Comply?

• All houses, apartments, condos, and other dwellings that contain a fuel-burning appliance (e.g. furnace, water heater), a fireplace, or an attached garage must comply. Buildings heated by air from a fuel-burning appliance located outside the dwelling (for instance, in a central furnace room) are also included.
• The new rules apply to all existing homes and residential units — not only new builds.

What’s required?

• In a house or dwelling unit: a CO alarm must be placed adjacent to every sleeping area (e.g. hallway outside bedrooms) and on every storey of the dwelling — including floors that do not contain bedrooms (e.g. main floor, basement).
• In multi-unit residential buildings (apartments, condos, etc.): alarms must be installed in any unit with fuel-burning appliances or fireplaces, and also — in many cases — in common areas (e.g. service rooms, corridors), especially if they are heated by fuel-burning equipment.
• In care-occupancy buildings (e.g. group homes, retirement homes, long-term care): CO alarms must be installed both inside individual suites (when relevant) and in common areas.

Alarm Types & Maintenance Guidelines

• CO alarms can be hardwired, plug-in, or battery-operated — including combination smoke/CO alarms — provided they meet recognized safety standards (e.g. CSA, ULC, or other approved certifications).
• Alarms must be maintained in working order: test them regularly (monthly), replace batteries as directed (or use alarms with long-life batteries), and replace the alarm altogether when it reaches the end of its service life per manufacturer instructions (often 7–10 years).

Why the Change Matters
Because carbon monoxide (CO) is colourless, odourless and tasteless, it cannot be detected without a working alarm — and CO exposure can cause serious illness or even death before anyone realizes there is a problem. With the new Fire Code requirements, earlier detection becomes much more likely by providing comprehensive coverage throughout every level and unit of a residence.

Responsibilities of Homeowners, Landlords, and Residents

• In owner-occupied homes: the homeowner is responsible for installing and maintaining the required CO alarms.
• In rental units: the landlord must install and maintain CO alarms as required, test them annually (or with battery changes or tenancy change), and provide tenants with maintenance instructions.
• Tenants must report any issues with CO alarms (such as malfunctions or missing devices) to their landlord. It is prohibited to disable, remove batteries, or tamper with CO alarms.

Fire extinguishers are essential first-response tools designed to suppress small, developing fires before they grow out of control. They come in several classifications based on the type of fire they can safely extinguish: Class A for ordinary combustibles like wood, paper, and cloth; Class B for flammable liquids such as grease, gasoline, and oils; Class C for energized electrical equipment; Class D for combustible metals; and Class K for commercial kitchen fires involving high-temperature cooking oils and fats. The most common type of extinguisher for residential use is a Class ABC

 Proper use is critical, and the P.A.S.S technique provides a simple, effective guide: Pull the pin to unlock the handle, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle to discharge the agent, and Sweep the nozzle side to side until the flames are out.

Even with correct use, fire extinguishers have important limitations. They are intended only for small, contained fires, and attempting to fight a large or rapidly spreading fire can be dangerous. They also require the user to approach the fire, which carries inherent risk, and they must be regularly inspected and maintained to ensure they will function when needed. Additionally, using the wrong class of extinguisher on the wrong type of fire can worsen the situation.

To be effective, extinguishers should be stored in visible, easily accessible locations—mounted near exits, in kitchens, garages, workshops, hallways, and on every level of a home or workplace. This placement ensures they can be reached quickly in an emergency without blocking escape routes, allowing for a safe and rapid response.

The Ontario Fire Marshal (OFM) does not endorse the use of fire blankets because there are currently no Canadian safety standards—such as ULC or CSA—governing their design or performance. Using a fire blanket can also place individuals in dangerous proximity to flames, increasing the risk of burns or unintentionally spreading the fire.

Fire blankets may create a false sense of security, leading people to rely on them instead of proven, safer methods. Effective alternatives include:

• Smothering stovetop fires with a proper-fitting lid
• Ensuring working smoke alarms are installed and maintained
• Having access to a tested, approved fire extinguisher
• Practicing a home fire escape plan

Because it can be difficult for the public to know when a fire blanket is appropriate and when it is not, their use can lead to confusion and increased risk. A fire extinguisher and working smoke alarms should always be your first line of defense.