Changes to the Ontario Fire Code are Coming January 1, 2026

CENTRE WELLINGTON – Changes to the Ontario Fire Code related to carbon monoxide are coming into effect on January 1, 2026. Currently, the law for Carbon Monoxide (CO) alarms in Ontario states that you must have one alarm on the floors of the home you sleep on in houses with any fuel-burning appliances (wood, gas, propane) and an attached garage.

As of January 1, 2026, the law will change in the following ways:

• Requiring CO alarms on EVERY floor of the home in houses with fuel-burning appliances and attached garages.
• Requiring CO alarms in houses that are heated by an outdoor furnace.

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is often known as the “Silent Killer” as it is an odourless, colourless, tasteless gas that humans cannot detect and can be fatal if inhaled. CO is produced when fuels are not completely and efficiently burned.

Responsibilities:

• Building Owners are responsible for complying with CO alarm requirements under the fire code.
• Landlords are responsible for installing and maintaining CO alarms in their rental units, testing the alarms annually, replacing the battery, and providing the tenant with a copy of the alarm’s maintenance instructions.
• Tenants are responsible for notifying their landlord if they are aware of any issue with a CO alarm in their unit. It is against the law for anyone to remove the batteries to tamper with a CO alarm in any way.

For more information on the changes to the Ontario Fire Code, please visit www.ontario.ca/page/carbon-monoxide-safety

If you have questions about the changes, please contact Centre Wellington Fire Rescue at 519-843-1950 or email the department at fireprevention@centrewellington.ca

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For more information:

Hannah Barclay | Digital Media Associate

Township of Centre Wellington | 1 MacDonald Square, Elora, ON N0B 1S0

519-846-9691 x221

hbarclay@centrewellington.ca