Starting January 1, 2026, Ontario’s updated Fire Code requires carbon monoxide (CO) alarms on every floor of homes with fuel-burning appliances or attached garages — not just near sleeping areas. This applies to both owner-occupied and rental properties.

Who Must Comply

• Homeowners (owner-occupied homes)
• Landlords (rental properties)
• Applies to:
• Detached and semi-detached homes
• Townhouses
• Cottages
• Apartments and condos (with fuel-burning heating)

When It Takes Effect

• Effective Date: January 1, 2026

Where Alarms Must Be Installed
• Previously: Only adjacent to sleeping areas
• New Requirement:
• On every storey of the home, including floors without bedrooms
• Still required near all sleeping areas

What Triggers the Requirement
If your home has any of the following:
• Furnace, water heater, stove, or other fuel-burning appliances
• Fireplace
• Attached garage
• Heating air sourced from a fuel-burning appliance outside the home (e.g., utility shed)

• Alarm types allowed:
• Hardwired
• Battery-operated
• Plug-in
• Combo smoke/CO units
• Certification required: CSA, ULC, or ETL logos
• Placement: Follow manufacturer instructions; mount on ceilings or high walls, away from vents
• Maintenance: Test monthly, replace batteries annually, replace unit every 5–10 years

• Homeowners: Must install and maintain alarms
• Landlords: Must install and provide instructions
• Tenants: Must test monthly and report issues

Carbon monoxide is odorless, invisible, and deadly. It causes over 50 deaths annually in Canada, often while people are sleeping. The new law aims to close gaps in protection and prevent tragedies.