Municipal Services

Fire Prevention

 

 

Fire Prevention Week 2024: October 6-12

This year’s Fire Prevention Week™ (FPW™) campaign,  “Smoke alarms: Make them work for you!™” strives to educate everyone about the importance of having working smoke alarms in the home.

You can make smoke alarms work for you by: 

1. Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area (like a hallway), and on each level (including the basement) of the home. 
2. Test smoke alarms at least once a month by pushing the test button.
3. Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old or stop responding when tested.

Importance of Fire Prevention

In a fire, mere seconds can mean the difference between a safe escape and a tragedy. Fire safety education isn’t just for school children. Teenagers, adults, and the elderly are also at risk in fires, making it important for every member of the community to take some time every October during Fire Prevention Week to make sure they understand how to stay safe in case of a fire.

For more information and additional resources, please visit: https://www.nfpa.org/Events/Events/Fire-Prevention-Week/AboutThis link opens in a new window 

 

Smoke Alarms
A working smoke alarm in your home, cottage or camper gives you early warning of a fire. Most fatal fires happen at night when people are sleeping. A working smoke alarm will detect smoke and sound to alert you.  The Ontario Fire Code requires every home to have one or more working smoke alarm(s).

Think of fire as a timeline with the most critical period occurring between when the fire starts, and it is detected by alarm or by an occupant.  Failing to detect the fire early enough will result in delayed response by the East Ferris Fire & Emergency Services department.  Smoke alarms are critical to the protection of human life, pet life and property.

Smoke Alarm Fire Safety Campaign

East Ferris Fire & Emergency Services (EFFES) reminds all residents that a residential fire could mean life or death. Make sure your smoke alarms are working.

Safety tips include:

  • Ensure you have a working smoke alarm on every level of your home and outside all sleeping areas.
  • Change your smoke alarm batteries every 6 months with fresh quality batteries as required by the manufacturer.
  • Smoke alarms don’t last forever, replace them every 10 years or as required by the manufacturer.
  • Test your smoke alarms monthly to make sure they function.
  • Vacuum the alarm to ensure any dust or debris is not interfering with the alarm.  (e.g. small bugs can create false alarms)

Choose the Right Alarm

There are two main types of smoke alarms for residential use.  Ionization alarms are less expensive but can be prone to false alarms due to sensitivity.  Photoelectric alarms are more expensive but are less prone to false alarms.  In addition, smoke alarms can be electrically connected, battery-operated or both. Electrically connected alarms will not function without a battery backup when the power is out.  When replacing a smoke alarm, you must replace it with the same type (battery, electrically connected, or both).  Wireless interconnected alarms are also available and provide an added layer of protection for occupants.  Newer properties will also require an alarm with a visual signalling component (e.g. strobe light).

Install More than One!

Smoke alarms must be on every level of your home and near each sleeping area. Remember to replace alarms that are more than 10 years old or as required by the manufacturer. Smoke alarms don’t last forever, and newer alarms will often provide a notification of end of life.  Depending on the age of your home smoke alarms may also be located inside each bedroom as well.  Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installation. 

Where to Install Smoke Alarms?

Because smoke rises, it is recommended that you place the alarms on the ceiling. Avoid ceilings near bathrooms, kitchens, doorways, heating appliances, windows, and ceiling fans. Always follow the manufacturers instructions when installing smoke alarms.

Test Your Alarm

Test your smoke alarms monthly by pressing the test button and listening for the alarm.

Replace Batteries Regularly

When the smoke alarm warning beeps sound, replace your battery immediately, never wait. The manufacturer instructions will describe what the various warning beeps will sound like so its important to become familiar.  If you have regular batteries it is recommended to change them twice a year at the same time you change your clocks for daylight savings. Some new smoke alarms come with a 10-year sealed battery and do not require you to make battery changes.  Again, always follow the manufacturers instructions for battery replacement both battery type and frequency.

Maintain Alarms

Prevent dust and small bugs from clogging your smoke alarms by gently vacuuming them with a soft brush every six months. Never vacuum electrically connected alarms unless you shut off the power. Test each unit when finished.

Prepare & Practice

Make a home escape plan. Draw a floor plan showing how you and your family would escape a fire in your home. Look for two ways out of each room and have a pre-arranged meeting place outside. Regularly practice with every member of your home. After everyone is outside, call 9-1-1 from a safe location.

Landlord/Tenant Responsibilities
Landlords must:

  • Install smoke alarms in accordance with the Ontario Fire Code and manufacturers instructions.
  • Maintain smoke alarms in operating condition.
  • Maintain primary and secondary power supplies that serve smoke alarms.
  • Provide the tenant a copy of the manufacturer’s maintenance instructions.
  • Test alarm:
    • Annually and after every change in tenancy
    • After battery is replaced
    • After any change to the electrical circuit feeding the alarms
    • Ensure visual signalling component is functioning is required and so equipped.

Tenants must:

  • Not disable the smoke alarm
  • Notify the landlord as soon as you are aware the smoke alarm in the unit is
    • disconnected,
    • not operating or,
    • the operation is impaired.

What do tenants do if the landlord does not provide working smoke alarms as required?

  • Call 705-752-2740 for assistance from EFFES.

The penalties for violating these requirements under the Fire Protection and Prevention Act (FPPA) are:

  • $50,000 and/or 1 year in jail for an individual for first offence. (subsequent offence is $100,000)
  • $500,000 for a corporation for first offence and not more than $1,500,000 for a subsequent offence.
  • Fines may also be levied against a director or officer of a corporation.

 

Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarms

A working Carbon Monoxide (CO) alarm in your home, cottage or camper gives you early warning of the presence of Carbon Monoxide.  Carbon Monoxide exposure can kill as it blocks hemoglobin from binding oxygen and releasing Carbon Dioxide.   An early warning is necessary to reduce the potential accumulation of CO in your blood stream.  The Ontario Fire Code requires a CO alarm be present if a fuel burning appliance or fireplace is installed or if there is an attached storage garage and they shall be installed adjacent to each sleeping area. 

There are two important actions each resident must take to protect themselves from exposure to CO.  First, your fuel burning appliance must be checked as often as required by the manufacturer which is typically an annual basis.  Second, a correctly mounted (follow manufacturer’s instructions or place on ceiling if no height instructions are provided) CO alarm.  It is important to understand the operating instructions of your CO alarm as it will provide different sounds depending on the issue present so, please refer to your manufacturer’s instructions.  If your alarm does sound, please reach out to East Ferris Fire & Emergency Services (911) and exit the house.  We will arrive wearing a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus so we can safety check the interior of your home and will use a calibrated detection device to identify the presence of CO.  We may operate equipment and will disable any potential sources. 

Carbon Monoxide Alarm Campaign

East Ferris Fire & Emergency Services (EFFES) reminds all residents that a CO alarm could mean life or death.  Make sure you have a working CO alarm installed as required by the manufacturer and approved for use under CSA-6.19 or UL 2034. 

Safety Tips include:

  • Ensure you have a working CO alarm outside all sleeping areas.
  • Change the batteries in your CO alarm every 6 months with fresh quality batteries as required by the manufacturer.
  • CO alarms do not last forever, replace every 7 years or as required by the manufacturer. 
  • Test your CO alarm monthly to ensure operation.
  • Vacuum your alarm to remove any dust and debris collected on the alarm. 

Choose the Right Alarm

There are different configurations of CO Alarms.  A display, while interesting, is not necessary as the alarm will function without a display.  The placement of your alarm is key.  Always follow manufacturers instructions.  You can have permanently wired CO alarms, battery alarms or plug in alarms.  It is important to have a backup battery in your alarm in case of a power outage.  Wireless interconnected alarms are also available and provide an added layer of protection for occupants. 

Install More than One!

CO alarms must be adjacent to each sleeping area.  If there is a fuel burning appliance associated with building services (e.g. hot water heater), install a CO alarm in the service room where the appliance is installed.  If there is an attached garage, install a CO alarm in every room with a common wall, ceiling or floor assembly.  Always follow the manufacturers instructions on distance from appliance as being too close can trigger a false alarm. 

Where to install a CO Alarm

CO mixes evenly with air but as it is associated with a fuel burning appliance this is warm air that rises.  The recommended placement of a CO alarm is on the ceiling away from any fresh air sources as these will provide false readings.  In any event, always follow the manufacturers instructions when installing CO alarms. 

Test Your Alarm

Test your alarm monthly by pressing the test button and listening for the alarm sound.

Replace Batteries Regularly

Always read and understand the sounds your CO alarm will make for each issue.  The manufacturer will describe what the various warning beeps will mean.  If you have regular batteries it is recommended to change them twice a year at the same time you change your clocks for daylight savings.  Some new CO alarms will come with a sealed battery and do not require you to make battery changes. Again, always follow the manufacturers instruction for battery replacement both battery type and frequency.

Maintain Alarms

Prevent dust and small bugs from clogging your smoke alarms by gently vacuuming them with a soft brush every six months. Never vacuum electrically connected alarms unless you shut off the power. Test each unit when finished.

Prepare & Practice

Make a home escape plan. Draw a floor plan showing how you and your family would escape a fire in your home. Look for two ways out of each room and have a pre-arranged meeting place outside. Regularly practice with every member of your home. After everyone is outside, call 9-1-1 from a safe location.

Landlord/Tenant Responsibilities

Landlords must:

  • Install CO alarms in accordance with the Ontario Fire Code and manufacturers instructions.
  • Maintain CO alarms in operating condition.
  • Maintain primary and secondary power supplies that serve CO alarms.
  • Provide the tenant a copy of the manufacturer’s maintenance instructions.
  • Test alarm:
    • Annually and after every change in tenancy
    • After battery is replaced
    • After any change to the electrical circuit feeding the alarms
    • Ensure visual signalling component is functioning is required and so equipped.

No person shall disable the CO alarm and tenants must:

  • Notify the landlord as soon as you are aware the CO in the unit is
    • disconnected,
    • not operating or,
    • the operation is impaired.

What do tenants do if the landlord does not provide working CO alarms as required?

  • Call 705-752-2740 for assistance from EFFES.

The penalties for violating these requirements under the Fire Protection and Prevention Act (FPPA) are:

  • $50,000 and/or 1 year in jail for an individual for first offence. (subsequent offence is $100,000)
  • $500,000 for a corporation for first offence and not more than $1,500,000 for a subsequent offence.
  • Fines may also be levied against a director or officer of a corporation.

In the event of an emergency, call 911.

 

 

By Law Enforcement/Fire Prevention Officer

(705) 752-2740 ext. 227