New Ontario Fire Code rules for homes, effective January 1, 2026
Carbon monoxide (CO) is known as the silent killer—colourless, odourless, and impossible to detect without a properly installed alarm. As of January 1, 2026, significant updates to the Ontario Fire Code require expanded carbon monoxide alarm coverage in homes and residential buildings across the province. These changes aim to improve early detection of dangerous gas and reduce fatalities and injuries from CO exposure.
In this article we will explain:
- What the updated requirements are
- Why these changes matter for homeowners
- How proper installation improves safety
- Why professional monitored systems take safety to the next level
- Practical Steps for Homeowners
What Is Changing in the Ontario Fire Code
Expanded CO Alarm Requirements
Smoke alarms remain a foundational safety requirement in all homes. While the new Fire Code changes focus on CO detection, properly installed and maintained smoke alarms are equally essential for fire safety and often complement CO alarm placement for optimal protection.
Under the updated Ontario Fire Code (O. Reg. 213/07, amended by O. Reg. 87/25), carbon monoxide alarms will now be mandatory in more locations in existing residential properties, including:
- Every storey of the home where a fuel-burning appliance, fireplace, attached garage, or heat from a fuel-burning appliance is present—not just near bedrooms.
- Adjacent to each sleeping area in all qualifying homes.
- Homes heated with air from fuel-burning appliances located outside the main residence (e.g., utility sheds).
These expanded requirements apply broadly to detached homes, semi-detached homes, townhouses, cottages, and other dwelling types containing any potential CO source.
Who Must Comply
- Homeowners and Property Owners: Ensuring CO alarms are correctly installed and maintained.
- Landlords: Responsible for installation, testing, and providing maintenance instructions to tenants.
- Tenants: Must report non-working or damaged alarms.
Why This Change Matters: The Risk of Carbon Monoxide in Homes
Carbon monoxide is produced when carbon-based fuels—such as natural gas, propane, wood, gasoline, or heating oil—do not burn completely. Common household sources include furnaces, water heaters, gas stoves, fireplaces, generators, and vehicles running in attached garages. Because CO is colourless, odourless, and tasteless, occupants have no sensory warning when levels rise.
Health Risks of CO Exposure
Exposure to elevated CO levels can cause:
- Headaches and dizziness
- Nausea and confusion
- Loss of consciousness
- Brain damage or death with prolonged or high-level exposure
These symptoms often resemble the flu, which can delay recognition and response, increasing the danger. Early detection through alarms is crucial to protect occupants and provide time to escape.
The Importance of Placement
Expanding CO alarm placement to every level of the home helps ensure that dangerous gas is detected early, no matter where it accumulates. CO can spread freely through the air, so limiting alarms only to certain areas may result in delayed warnings.
Practical Steps for Homeowners
To comply with the new Fire Code requirements and enhance household safety, homeowners should:
- Audit Existing Alarms: Confirm current CO and smoke alarms meet the updated placement requirements.
- Add Additional Units: Install additional alarms on every storey and near each sleeping area, if needed.
- Test Monthly: Check alarms regularly and replace them according to manufacturer guidance (typically every 7–10 years).
- Consider Monitoring: Explore professional monitoring to ensure immediate response and additional peace of mind.
Why Professional Monitoring Matters
While installed detectors provide critical early warning, monitored smoke and CO alarm systems deliver an enhanced level of safety:
Immediate Response Without Delay
Professionally monitored alarms send real-time alerts to a monitoring centre when triggered. If a CO alarm activates while no one is home or if occupants are asleep or incapacitated, trained professionals can dispatch emergency services immediately, reducing response time.
Integration With Home Security
Modern monitoring systems integrate CO and smoke detection with broader home security platforms. This means one central system can track intrusions, fire, and carbon monoxide events, provide emergency dispatch, and offer remote notifications via apps to homeowners.
Maintenance and Reliability
Professional monitoring services often include regular system checks and maintenance reminders. This reduces the risk of malfunctioning alarms due to missed battery changes or sensor failures.
The updated Ontario Fire Code requirements for CO alarms, effective January 1, 2026, represent a significant advance in residential safety. By expanding where carbon monoxide alarms must be installed, the province is aiming to reduce preventable injuries and deaths caused by this hidden threat.
Homeowners should take these changes seriously and make sure their homes are both compliant and protected. Professional monitoring adds an important layer of security—offering rapid response and peace of mind for families and property owners alike.
