Smoke Alarms

ONLY A WORKING FIRE ALARM CAN ALERT YOU TO SMOKE IN YOUR HOME!

Smoke Alarm Legislation

The Ontario Fire Code mandates the installation of smoke alarms in residences.  The Fire Code was recently amended under Section 2.13 and Subsection 6.3.3, that smoke alarms be installed and maintained outside of all sleeping areas, as well as on every level of a residence. The Fire Code also states that "No person shall intentionally disable a smoke alarm so as to make it inoperable."  Anyone who intentionally disables a smoke alarm is guilty of a provincial offence and is subject to a fine.

Homeowners:

It is the responsibility of homeowners to install and maintain smoke alarms on every level of their home and outside sleeping areas.

Landlords:

It is the responsibility of landlords to ensure their rental properties comply with this law. 

Tenants:

If you are a tenant of a rental property and do not have the required number of smoke alarms, contact your landlord immediately. Also, it is against the law for tenants to remove the batteries or tamper with the smoke alarms in any way.

Failure to comply with the Fire Code Smoke Alarm Requirements could result in a fine of up to $50,000 for individuals or $100,000 for Corporations.

Requirements:

Note: New homes constructed today are required by the Ontario Building Code to have electrically operated smoke alarms installed on all levels of the home. These smoke alarms must also be interconnected to each other so if one is activated, all smoke alarms in the same home will ring.

• Ceiling mounted smoke alarms should be installed away from ceiling fans and air ducts, and at least 10 centimetres away from the wall. Wall mounted alarms should be installed so the top of the alarm is 10 to 30 centimetres below the ceiling.

Smoke Alarm Requirements and Guidelines:

• When installing smoke alarms, refer to the manufacturer's instructions for information about correct placement.
• Test your smoke alarms every month using the test button usually located on the cover of the smoke alarm. 
• It is recommended changing the battery in your smoke alarm the same time of year that your clocks are changed (Spring and Fall of each year).  
• Replace all smoke alarms that are older than 10years old.  If you are in doubt how old the existing smoke alarm is, it is recommended that a new smoke alarm is purchased and installed.
• Steam from the shower or cooking can cause smoke alarms to sound. Do not remove the battery. Instead, try moving the smoke alarm to a different location, or purchase a smoke alarm with a hush feature that will temporarily silence the alarm.
• Replace alarms if they are showing problems or have been exposed to a fire or heavy smoke.
• Gently vacuum the smoke alarm at least every 6 months.
• Never paint any part of a smoke alarm.

Types of Smoke Alarms:

• Ionization alarms are most common, least expensive, and tend to detect the smoke produced by fast burning fires with visible flames faster than smoke from a smouldering fire.
• Photo-electric alarms are harder to find, cost slightly more, and tend to detect the smoke produced by slow burning smouldering fires with very little flame. This type of alarm is highly recommended for homes where smokers live due to the greater potential for a smouldering fire caused by a carelessly discarded cigarette.
   

For more information on smoke alarms, contact Fire Prevention at 905-637-9536 (firedepartment@burlington.ca) or refer to The Office of the Fire Marshall.

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Knowing your home’s secure will provide you with peace of mind both when you’re at home or away on vacation. House alarms are of course a very effective deterrent but ensuring that your home’s security is top notch is often more a matter of employing common sense than high tech security systems. Many homeowners choose to “hide” a key somewhere. This usually means behind a rock, under the doormat or in the BBQ. Burglars are all too aware of these places so if you’re constantly locking yourself out, consider giving a key to a trusted friend who lives close by. Also, don’t leave your shed or garage unlocked as you’ll be extending an invitation to thieves.Put yourself in a burglar’s shoes and walk around your yard looking for ways to break in. Most thieves break in through the front door so make sure your door is solid wood or reinforced metal. Install steel screws in the exterior door jams and buy strike plates to help protect the deadbolt from crowbars or kick attacks. The burglar wants to get into your home as quickly as possible — if his one forceful kick won’t work on your door, They will likely give up and flee.

Windows are also a very popular break in point so replace cheap locks with heavy sash or keyed locks. Installing an eyebolt in window corners also prevents the window from being opened from the outside. Glass block windows are a good choice if you use windows for decoration and sunlight as they look very attractive, are extremely difficult to break and can’t be opened.
Burglars look for dark places where they can’t be spotted so eliminate these hiding spots by cutting back shrubs or trees in your yard. Motion sensing lights are a great security measure as they turn on as soon as they detect someone, and also save you money as they’re not burning all night long. If you purchase a big ticket item such as a flat screen TV or a laptop, don’t put the boxes out on garbage night as you’re just advertising to thieves what’s inside your home.</div>
If you’re away on vacation, the trick is to make it look as though you’re still around. Have a friend pick up your mail and leave their car in your driveway. Set you lights on a timer so that they’ll go on and off on their own and install a light sensitive porch light that turns off during the day. If you’re going to be away for an extended period of time, have someone cut your lawn.

When it comes to home security, paying attention to the simple things can make all the difference. Take the time to make a checklist of your home and list all the security failures that burglars would appreciate. Prevention is key, so stay safe by making your home’s security a priority this month.

Finally you should have an emergency plan

• Meet with your family.
• Discuss  the dangers of fire, severe weather,  and other emergencies.
• Discuss how to respond to each disaster that could occur.
• Discuss what to do about power outages and when a member of your family gets hurt.
• Know how to turn off your water, gas and electricity.
• Post emergency telephone numbers near telephones.  Teach children how and when to call 911, police and fire.
• Develop a Home Escape Plan .
• Have a family day and learn CPR together.
• Keep all records in a water and fire-proof container.

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This tip came from a neighborhood watch coordinator. Next time you come home for the night and you start to put your keys away, think of this:

It’s a security alarm system that you probably already have and requires no installation. Test it. It will go off from most everywhere inside your house and will keep honking until your battery runs down or until you reset it with the button on the key fob chain. It works if you park in your driveway or garage

If your car alarm goes off when someone is trying to break into your house, odds are the burglar/rapist won’t stick around… After a few seconds all the neighbours will be looking out their windows to see who is out there and sure enough the criminal won’t want that.

And remember to carry your keys while walking to your car in a parking lot. The alarm can work the same way there ….. This is something that should really be shared with everyone. Please pass this on even IF you’ve read it before. It’s a reminder.