Fire code update requires carbon monoxide detectors on each floor of homes

A hand pushes the test button on an electrical Carbon Monoxide (CO) alarm.(Getty Images)

An update to the Ontario Fire Code came into effect on Thursday, requiring carbon monoxide detectors on each of floor of many homes across the province.

While previously, CO alarms only had to be installed adjacent to each sleeping area, the Jan. 1 updates require alarms on each floor of the home, including those without sleeping areas. These regulations apply to every house with a fuel-burning appliance, a fireplace or an attached garage, as well as those with a full-burning heating appliance not located in the home.

Gwen Lewis, division chief of fire prevention for Ottawa Fire Services, says the new regulations are similar to those that apply to smoke alarms, and homeowners can install multi-purpose alarms.

“Carbon monoxide alarms on every level of your home, just like smoke alarms,” Lewis told 580 CFRA’s Ottawa Now on Friday. “They can be put right next to each other. They can be a dual alarm; that’s a smoke and CO alarm.”

For apartments and condos, CO alarms must be installed if the unit has a fuel-burning appliance or fireplace, or if it is located directly above, below or beside a garage or service room. Likewise, if the unit is heated by a fuel-burning appliance not contained in the unit, it should have a CO alarm.

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The fire code states that CO detectors should be installed adjacent to sleeping areas in apartments and condos and they should be on every storey of the unit.

For those who are renting, it will typically be the landlord’s duty to install CO detectors, Lewis says. Those who own condos are sometimes responsible for installing their own.

More information on CO alarm regulations and carbon monoxide safety can be found at: https://www.ontario.ca/page/carbon-monoxide-safety.

How to prevent carbon monoxide build-up

According to Lewis, one of the most common causes of carbon monoxide build-up is poorly maintained appliances.

“Whether it’s a blocked chimney, whether it is a furnace or hot-water tank that needs to have regular maintenance done that hasn’t been done,” Lewis said.

“Having regular maintenance is an easy way to eliminate or reduce the amount of possible CO within your home.”

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While carbon monoxide build-up can happen anytime of year, Lewis says the risk is greatest during the winter when heating appliances are in-use.

“After a snowfall, clear outside your vents to make sure there is free flowing exhaust. That’s another way to eliminate a CO buildup,” she said.

Lewis suggests testing your CO detector frequently, which can typically be done with the simple press of a button.

“Once a month is great, and practice your home escape plan when you do that,” she said.

What to do during a carbon monoxide build-up

If a carbon monoxide detector is set off, call 911 and evacuate the home.

While it might be instinctual to open a door or window when a CO alarm goes off, Lewis says it’s important to keep the house sealed so that fire crews can locate the source of the carbon monoxide.

“When our crews arrive, they will speak to the homeowners and see if they’re experiencing any symptoms and notify our emergency service providers, if need be,” Lewis said. “Then, when we are protected, go into your home with our gas detectors.”

Emergency crews will look to identify where the carbon monoxide is coming from, or whether there’s a faulty alarm at work, and follow protocols from there, Lewis says.

Lewis says signs of carbon monoxide exposure include headache, nausea, dizziness, confusion and drowsiness.