Fire Safety Education

Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Carbon monoxide alarm installation requirements:

If your home (e.g. house, condo, apartment) has a fuel-burning appliance, you must install a carbon monoxide alarm adjacent to each sleeping area.
If your home has an attached garage, you must install a carbon monoxide alarm adjacent to each sleeping area.
If your building has a service room, carbon monoxide alarms must be installed in the service room and adjacent to each sleeping area of all condos/apartments above, below and beside the service room.
If your building has a garage, carbon monoxide alarms must be installed adjacent to each sleeping area of all condos/apartments above, below and beside the garage.
For added protection, install a carbon monoxide alarm on every storey of the home according to manufacturer's instructions.

An overview of legislation, responsibilities, carbon monoxide alarm standards, and enforcement is available through the Ontario government Office of the Fire Marshal web page.

Smoke alarms

Most fatal fires occur at night when people are asleep. Often, victims never wake up. Working smoke alarms provide early detection and notification in the event of a fire. By law, every home in Ontario must have a working smoke alarm on every storey and outside all sleeping areas.

Responsibility for installation

Homeowners

It is the homeowner’s responsibility to install and maintain smoke alarms on every storey of their home and outside sleeping areas.

Landlords

It is the landlord’s responsibility to ensure their rental properties comply with the law.

Tenants

If you are a tenant of a rental property and do not have the required number of smoke alarms, contact your landlord immediately. It is against the law for tenants to remove the batteries or tamper with the alarm in any way.

Failure to comply with the Fire Code smoke alarm requirements can result in a $360 ticket or fine of up to $50,000 for individuals or $100,000 for corporations.

Choose the right alarms

Smoke alarms are available with different features and applications, so choosing the right alarm can be confusing. Some of the features to consider include:

Power source

Smoke alarms can be hardwired or battery powered. If you are installing an hardwired alarm, we recommend that the alarm be equipped with a battery backup in care of a power failure.

Technology

Most smoke alarms employ either ionization or photo-electric technology. Ionization alarms may respond slightly faster to flaming-type fires. Photo-electric alarms may be quicker at detecting slow, smouldering fires. Consider having both types of alarms in your home. When purchasing smoke alarms, make sure the packaging includes logo of a recognized standards testing agency, such as CSA or ULC, to ensure they meet Canadian performance standards.

Hush feature

Smoke alarms with a hush button are highly recommended. The hush feature permits the alarm to be temporarily silenced without disconnecting the power source.

Install in the proper locations

Smoke alarms must be installed on each storey of the home and outside sleeping areas. Because smoke rises, smoke alarms should be installed on the ceiling. If this is not possible, install the alarm high up on a wall. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when installing smoke alarms.

Avoid putting smoke alarms too close to:

bathrooms
windows
ceiling fans
heating and cooking appliances

Maintain your smoke alarms

Test smoke alarms monthly

Test your smoke alarms every month by using the test button on the alarm. When the test button is pressed, the alarm should sound. If it fails to sound, make sure that the battery is installed correctly or install a new battery. If the alarm still fails to sound, replace the smoke alarm with a new one.

Change the batteries at least once a year

Install a new battery at least once a year, or as recommended by the manufacturer. Install a new battery if the low-battery warning sounds or if the alarm fails to sound when tested.

Vacuum alarms annually

Dust can impact your smoke alarms performance. Battery-powered smoke alarms should be cleaned by opening the cover of the alarm and gently vacuuming the inside with a soft bristle brush.

For hardwired connected smoke alarms, first shut off the power to the unit, and then gently vacuum the outside vents of the alarm only. Turn the power back on and test the alarm.

Replace older smoke alarms

All smoke alarms wear out. Replace them every 10 years according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Fire Station Tours

We offer fire station tours to North Perth residents, community groups and classes at no charge all year.

Fire Safety Programs

We provide fire safety presentations to schools, organizations and community groups. You can request a fire safety presentation at any time during the year.

Some of the fire safety programs we offer are:

Older and Wiser
School visits
The Arson Prevention Program for Children (TAPP-C)
Home Safety Program

Don't see what you are looking for? Contact our Public Educator to discuss other options for your group.

Fire Extinguisher Training

We offer fire extinguisher training to North Perth businesses and organizations. Training includes theory and practical components. The cost is $15 per person.

Farm Fire Safety

Barn Fire Safety information from OMAFRA

Farm Fire Safety from Farm & Food Care Ontario

Fire Safety Resources & Activities

Home Escape Planning Grid

Municipality of North Perth
330 Wallace Avenue North
Listowel, ON N4W 1L3

Tel: 519-291-2950
Toll Free: 1-888-714-1993