New carbon monoxide alarm requirements under the Ontario Fire Code
Burlington, Ont.—Dec. 8, 2025— The Burlington Fire Department is informing residents that, starting Jan. 1, 2026, all homes with fuel-burning appliances, fireplaces, or attached garages must have carbon monoxide (CO) alarms on every level of their home and near all sleeping areas. The update to the Ontario Fire Code aims to protect families from the dangers of carbon monoxide, a colourless, odourless gas that can be fatal if undetected.
The new Ontario Fire Code requirements apply to homes that have any of the following:
- A fuel-burning appliance (such as a furnace, water heater, gas stove, or wood stove)
- A fireplace
- An attached garage
- NEW: Heated air supplied by a fuel-burning appliance located outside the home. Examples include: outdoor wood furnace (wood boiler), pellet stove in a detached utility building, propane or natural gas furnace in an outbuilding, or external boiler system connected to home heating.
As required by the Ontario Fire Code, CO Alarms must be installed:
- near every sleeping area, and
- NEW: on every storey of the home, including floors without bedrooms.
- This applies to detached homes, townhouses and row houses.
CO poisoning is preventable with a working alarm. For more about CO safety, including a list of frequently asked questions, visit burlington.ca/fire.
Quick Facts
- Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a gas you can’t see, smell or taste. Known as the silent killer, CO is a by-product of inefficiently burned fuels. CO is the top cause of accidental poisoning deaths in North America.
- Test CO alarms at least once a month; replace them according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Replace batteries every six months when changing smoke alarm batteries.
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Quote
Burlington Fire Chief Karen Roche
“Exposure to carbon monoxide can be deadly, but luckily, it is detectable and preventable. Properly installed CO alarms provide an early warning, giving you the time you need to escape safely. If your home has a fuel-burning appliance, fireplace, or attached garage, make sure there’s a CO alarm on every level and near all sleeping areas – it could save your life.”
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