Attn. Property Owners: Install Smoke Alarms It's the Law!
Printer-friendly versionAttention Property Owners
In accordance with the requirements of the Ontario Fire Code and the Fire Protection and Prevention Act of Ontario it is the owner’s / landlord’s responsibility to ensure that there are operable smoke alarms on each level of a single family, semi-detached, town home and multi unit residential whether owner-occupied or rented.
The owner must show due diligence in their responsibilities and confirm that all residential occupancies under their control have all smoke alarms maintained in an operational condition. The Ontario Fire Code requires that the landlord provide a copy of the smoke alarm manufacturer's maintenance instructions or approved alternative to the occupant in each rental unit.
It is an accepted practice in establishing due diligence is to have the occupant sign a log book or other to confirm that there are operable smoke alarm/s on each level as required on a given date. These log books shall be maintained for a period of 2 years and be made available upon request by Fire Department personnel.
It is the responsibility of the tenants of rental properties to contact their landlords immediately if they suspect there is a problem with their smoke alarms. Once smoke alarms are installed, tenants cannot remove the batteries or tamper with the alarm in any way. If they do so, the tenant could receive a ticket for $235.
FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE FIRE CODE SMOKE ALARM REQUIREMENTS COULD RESULT IN A TICKET FOR $235 OR A FINE OF UP TO $50,000 FOR INDIVIDUALS OR $100,000 FOR CORPORATIONS
