• Smoke Alarm Fact Sheet - Ontario Fire Marshal
  A Fact Sheet based upon Ontario Statistics from 1995 to 1997
• Maintenance of Smoke Alarms - Ontario Fire Marshal
  Information related to the Testing and Maintenance of Smoke Alarms - 1998
• Smoke Alarm Maintenance Checklist (PDF)
  A simple checklist to assist in the periodic testing and maintenance of smoke alarms.

The Ontario Fire Code

In accordance with The Ontario Fire Code all residences are required to have smoke alarms. The fine for non-compliance under the Provincial Offences Act is as follows:

Fire Code Reference Short Form Wording Set Fine Article 2.13.2.3. Failure to install smoke alarm as required $200.00 Article 6.3.3.2. Fail to maintain smoke alarm in operating condition $200.00 Article 6.3.3.3. Fail to provide smoke alarm maintenance instructions to occupant $200.00 Article 6.3.3.4. Intentionally disable smoke alarm to make it inoperable $200.00 Article 6.3.3.5. Replace smoke alarm with reduced level of detection $200.00

A $30.00 Victim Fine Surcharge applies to the above.

NOTE: The Fire Protection and Prevention Act allows for greater fines for contravening the Ontario Fire Code. In the case of an offence for contravention of the Fire Code, a fine of not more than $25,000 or imprisonment for a term of not more than one year or both can be imposed.

Smoke alarms save lives. Those precious seconds before a smouldering fire erupts into out-of-control flames can be just long enough for people to escape from a burning building.

All Windsor residences must have at least one working smoke alarm. That is the law. If you cannot afford a smoke alarm, the Windsor Fire & Rescue Services will provide one free of charge. If you have a disability and are unable to install your smoke alarm, a member of the fire department will be happy to do it for you.

Periodically, we target high fire loss areas in the city and go door to door to do smoke alarm checks. If there is no alarm in the house, we install one. If an existing alarm's battery is dead, we replace the battery.

Our department is busy, but we make time for this program because we know smoke alarms work. In January, 1995, we installed a free smoke alarm in a residence. Later that day, fire broke out in the home. The alarm sounded and the two residents were able to evacuate safely.

Please don't wait for us to appear at your door. Go check your alarm's battery now. If you don't own an alarm, drive to the store immediately or call us at 253-3016, ext. 249. It is a small measure that could save your most prized possession - your life.