Fire code compliance stressed with homeowners, landlords and tenants
Back to SearchA recent Ontario Court of Justice conviction, together with a $2,500 fine, is serving as a reminder to St. Catharines homeowners, landlords and tenants of their responsibilities when it comes to fire safety, specifically the requirement for working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
On Nov. 27, 2020 the owner of a residential rental property at 102 Village Rd., was found guilty of four charges related to a failure to install working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, alongside a failure to ensure these alarms were maintained in working order. St. Catharines Fire Services is reminding all homeowners, landlords and tenants that properly maintained and installed alarms are not only required by law, but they provide critical early warning that saves lives during emergencies.
Ontario law requires working smoke alarms on every storey of a home and outside all sleeping areas. The law also requires working carbon monoxide alarms outside sleeping areas in units where a fuel-burning appliance is installed or shares a common wall or floor with a service room containing such an appliance or an attached garage.
In response to the conviction the property owner was fined $2,500, plus applicable court surcharges.
“Regardless if you live in your own home or live in a rental unit you must have a working carbon monoxide alarm adjacent to each sleeping area and working smoke alarms on every storey of your home or rental unit,” said Fire Chief Jeff McCormick, adding, “I would also like to remind tenants who live in rental properties to contact your landlord immediately if you do not have the required number of smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms or if they are not working properly. It is against the law for tenants to remove batteries or tamper with the smoke or carbon monoxide alarms.”
Visit www.stcatharines.ca/FirePrevention or call 905.688.5601, ext. 4224, for more information about fire safety for your property, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, provincial requirements and other home safety tips.
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