Effective Oct. 15, 2014, Ontario has made carbon monoxide alarms mandatory in all homes and
other residential buildings.
Carbon Monoxide 101
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, tasteless and odourless gas produced when fuels such
as propane, gasoline, natural gas, heating oil or wood have insufficient air to burn completely.
This can happen in any appliance or device that burns these fuels such as a stove, furnace,
fireplace, hot water heater, vehicle engine, portable generator.
Exposure to CO can cause flu-like symptoms such as headaches, nausea and dizziness, as
well as confusion, drowsiness, and loss of consciousness. In high concentrations, it can be fatal.
The Case for Change
More than 50 people die each year from CO poisoning in Canada, including an average of 11
people per year in Ontario (Parachute Canada statistics).
CO detectors/alarms have been mandatory in new homes and other residential buildings
since 2001 through the Ontario Building Code. While the Ontario Building Code applies to new
construction and renovations, the Ontario Fire Code applies to existing buildings.
Amendments to the Fire Code will establish retrofit requirements for CO detectors/alarms in
existing homes, consistent with the Building Code’s requirements for new buildings.
Bill 77 (Hawkins Gignac Act [Carbon Monoxide Safety], 2013)
Bill 77 (Hawkins Gignac Act [Carbon Monoxide Safety], 2013), amended the Fire Protection and
Prevention Act, 1997, to allow the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services to
regulate the presence of unsafe levels of carbon monoxide and require the use of CO detectors/
alarms. Specifically, the Ontario Fire Code, a regulation established under the Fire Protection
and Prevention Act, 1997, may now be amended to include requirements to lessen the risk
created by the presence of unsafe levels of CO.
Carbon Monoxide Alarms
CO detectors/alarms and smoke detectors/alarms are two important safety features that help
keep our families safe.
CO alarms range in price from approximately $26 to over $100 depending on whether they are
hard-wired, battery operated or plug-in and whether they have additional features (i.e. battery
back-up, digital display, etc.). The average mid-range plug-in/battery back-up model is between
$35 and $40 per unit.
New CO alarms are now expected to last up to 10 years. There are now combined CO/Smoke
Alarms on the market.
Landlords and home owners will be responsible for complying with the requirements under the
Fire Code.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How is CO generated in the home?
CO is a by-product of incomplete combustion of fuel such as natural gas, propane, heating oil,
kerosene, coal, charcoal, gasoline, wood, or other bio-fuels. This incomplete combustion can
occur in any device that depends on burning a fuel for energy or heat.
Examples of fuel burning devices:
• Home furnace Gas/charcoal barbeque
• Space heater Hot water heater
• Decorative fireplace Automobile
• Wood stove Lawnmower
• Kitchen stove or grill
• Automobiles left running in an attached garage,
• a portable generator operating near an open window or in the garage,
• an outdoor gas barbecue operated inside the house,
• a grill or kerosene heater that is not properly vented,
• a fireplace chimney that is dirty or plugged may create unsafe levels of CO.
• When these devices are properly installed, maintained and vented, the CO produced
can be prevented from reaching unsafe levels in the home.
2. What are the symptoms of CO poisoning?
Exposure to CO can cause flu-like symptoms such as headaches, nausea, dizziness, burning
eyes, confusion, drowsiness and even loss of consciousness, without the elevated temperature
associated with the flu. In severe cases, CO poisoning can cause brain damage and death. The
elderly, children and people with heart or respiratory conditions may be particularly sensitive to
CO. It can poison the body quickly in high concentrations, or slowly over long periods of time.
3. How do CO alarms work?
CO alarms monitor airborne concentration levels (parts per million) of CO over time, and sound
an alarm when harmful levels are present. They are designed to sense low CO concentrations
over a long period of time as well as high concentrations over a short period of time.
4. How expensive are CO alarms?
CO alarms range in price from approximately $26 to over $100 depending on whether they are
hard-wired, battery operated or plug-in and whether they have additional features (i.e. battery
back-up, digital display, etc.). The average mid-range plug-in/battery back-up model is between
$35 and $40 per unit.
5. Why are CO alarms required to be installed adjacent to sleeping areas in the home?
Proper placement of a CO alarm is important. The CO alarm must be located adjacent to all
sleeping areas of the home to increase the likelihood that sleeping occupants will hear the alarm
if it goes off.
6. At what height should CO alarms be installed?
Unlike smoke, which rises to the ceiling, CO mixes with air. Hence CO alarms may be installed
at any height. However, if a combination smoke/CO alarm is used, it must be installed on
or near the ceiling as per manufacturer’s instructions, to ensure that it can detect smoke
effectively.
7. Do CO alarms sound different from smoke alarms?
Yes. CO alarms sound different from smoke alarms when they activate. By introducing a new
emergency device into the home, it is important that everyone in the household knows the
difference between an alarming smoke alarm and an alarming CO alarm. As well, everyone
needs to know the difference between an actual alarm sound versus the low battery or end
of life warnings for both their smoke and CO alarms. Owners should consult their instruction
manual to obtain further information on the characteristics of the audible signals for each device.
8. If your CO alarm sounds, and you or other occupants suffer from symptoms of CO
poisoning, what should you do?
Immediately have everyone in the home move outdoors and then call 9-1-1 or your local
emergency services number from outside the building…
9. If your CO alarm sounds and no one is suffering from symptoms of CO poisoning,
what should you do?
Check to see if the battery needs replacing, or the alarm has reached its “end of life” before
calling 911. A chirping alarm may be an indication that the alarm has reached the end of its
service life.
