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Smoke Alarms
Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Beat the Silent Killer: Prevent CO in Your Home
When and where to install carbon monoxide alarms
Carbon monoxide can only be detected by a working CO alarm. Learn the law and how updates to the fire code apply to all existing homes.
Install in a house if it:
- has a fuel-burning appliance
- has a fireplace
- has an attached garage
- is heated by air from a fuel-burning appliance that is not contained within your home (in effect on Jan. 1, 2026)
Where to install:
- adjacent to each sleeping area (this means the hallway or area outside the sleeping area)
- on every storey of your home, even those without sleeping areas (in effect on Jan. 1, 2026)
Install in an apartment or condo unit if any of the following applies:
- Unit has a fuel-burning appliance or a fireplace
- Building has a service room, and your unit is located directly above, below, or beside the service room
- Building has a garage, and your unit is located directly above, below or beside the garage
- Unit is heated by air from a fuel-burning appliance that is not contained within your unit (in effect on January 1, 2026)
Where to install
A carbon monoxide alarm must be installed in each of the following locations in an apartment or condo unit:
- adjacent to each sleeping area of your unit (this means the hallway or area outside the sleeping area, for example, a carbon monoxide alarm must be installed in the hallway nearest multiple bedrooms in a house or apartment)
- on every storey of your unit, including storeys that do not have sleeping areas (in effect on January 1, 2026)
- in public corridors of the building if the corridors are heated by air from a fuel-burning appliance (in effect on January 1, 2026)
Responsibilities
Building owners
Building owners are responsible for complying with carbon monoxide alarm requirements under the Fire Code.
CO alarms do not last forever. Alarms must be replaced every ten years. The date of manufacture is on every CO alarm.
Landlords
In rental suites, landlords are responsible for:
- installing and maintaining carbon monoxide alarms in their rental units
- testing carbon monoxide alarms in rental units annually, when the battery is replaced, when changes are made to the electrical circuit, or a change of tenancy occurs.
- providing the tenant with a copy of the carbon monoxide alarm’s maintenance instructions
Tenants
Tenants are responsible for notifying the landlord if they are aware of any issue with a carbon monoxide alarm in their unit. It is against the law for anyone to remove the batteries or tamper with carbon monoxide alarms in any way.
More information on Carbon Monoxide Safety
| Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarms: What's That Noise? |
| It's safe to say that most people are more familiar with the sound of their smoke alarm then with the sound of their CO alarm. Just what kind of noises do CO alarms make? Loud, four intermittent beeps: BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!.....BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! Loud continuous BEEP! One or two quick intermittent chirps. Remember that anytime your CO alarm makes a noise there is something wrong, you must act right away. Read the manufacturers instructions before your device activates. The device model number on the back of the device can help you can look up the features online. |
| Carbon Monoxide (CO) Safety |
| Often called the silent killer, carbon monoxide is an invisible, odourless, colourless gas created when fuels (such as gasoline, wood, coal, natural gas, propane and oil) burn incompletely. In the home, heating and cooking equipment that burn these fuels can be sources of carbon monoxide.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is produced when fuels such as propane, natural gas, gasoline, heating oil or wood have insufficient air to burn completely. This can occur in any appliance or device that burns these fuels such as furnaces, fireplaces, hot water heaters or stoves. Other common causes of CO are cars left running in attached garages, barbeques operated inside, kerosene heaters that are improperly vented, or chimneys or vents that are dirty or plugged. Prevent CO build-up by having furnaces and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year. Exposure to CO can cause flu-like symptoms such as headaches, nausea and dizziness, as well as confusion, drowsiness, loss of consciousness and death. If someone in the household is experiencing symptoms of CO poisoning, get everyone out of the home immediately. Call 9-1-1 from outside the home. |
Working Smoke Alarms: It's The Law!
Working smoke alarms are required by law and provide early warning of fire while giving you the extra seconds you and your family need to escape. The location and type of smoke alarms you choose can greatly reduce nuisance alarms. Here are some tips to follow:
- Choose photo-electric smoke alarms where nuisance alarms happen frequently (For example, near kitchens).
- Smoke alarms are required on each level of your home and outside bedrooms.
- Locate smoke alarms away from bathrooms where steam may be present.
- Make sure smoke alarms are not installed where drafts may be present.
- Do not locate smoke alarms in kitchens.
- Choose smoke alarms that are equipped with a nuisance button feature.
- Where smoke alarms are permanently wired choose replacements with an internal battery for power outages.
- Newer smoke and CO alarms are available with 10 year internal lithium batteries that never need changing and are a great option when replacing outdated devices.
For more information contact the City of Orillia Fire Department Fire Prevention Division at (705) 325-5215.
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