Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms

What is Carbon Monoxide?

Carbon Monoxide (CO): A colorless, odorless, tasteless toxic gas produced by incomplete combustion of fossil fuels. It's commercially important but dangerous when appliances are poorly installed or maintained, or spaces lack ventilation. Modern insulated homes require reliable CO detectors that provide both visual and audible warnings when dangerous levels accumulate.

Carbon Monoxide Detector Placement

Proper placement of a carbon monoxide detector is important. The Ontario Fire Code mandates them to be located adjacent to sleeping areas, where it can wake you if you are asleep. Additional detectors on every level and in every bedroom of a home provide extra protection. For full information regarding installation contact your local fire department. When considering where to place a carbon monoxide detector, keep in mind that although carbon monoxide is roughly the same weight as air (carbon monoxide's specific gravity is 0.9657, as stated by the EPA; the National Resource Council lists the specific gravity of air as one), it may be contained in warm air coming from combustion appliances such as home heating equipment. If this is the case, carbon monoxide will rise with the warmer air.

Here are 13 recommendations to reduce the risk of CO poisoning:

The most important recommendation: USE A CARBON MONOXIDE WARNING DETECTOR. As is true of a smoke alarm, reliance on a CO detector is acceptable only if the device is in good working order and is tested periodically as directed by the manufacturer.
Inspect your RV’s chassis and generator exhaust system regularly, at least before each outing or after any incident that could cause damage.
Inspect the RV for openings in the floor or sidewalls. If you locate a hole, seal it with a silicone adhesive or have it repaired before using your generator again.
Inspect windows, door seals, and weather strips to ensure that they are sealing properly.
Yellow flames in propane-burning appliances such as coach heaters, stoves, ovens, and water heaters usually indicate a lack of oxygen. Determine the cause of this condition and correct it immediately.
If applicable, have your built-in vacuum cleaner checked to make sure it does not exhaust under the underside of your RV. Have the system changed if it does.
Do not operate your generator if the exhaust system is damaged in any way or if an unusual noise is present.
Park your RV so that the exhaust may easily dissipate away from the vehicle. Do not park next to high grass or weeds, snow banks, buildings, or other obstructions that might prevent exhaust gases from dissipating as they should.
Keep in mind that shifting winds may cause exhaust to blow away from the coach one moment and under the coach the next.
When stopping for long periods of time, be aware of other vehicles around you, such as tractor- trailers at rest stops, that may have their engines and refrigeration units running.
Do not sleep with the generator operating.
Leave a roof vent open anytime the generator is running, even during the winter.
If you do not feel well, do not be fooled into thinking that it is because you have been driving too long, you ate too much, or you are suffering from motion sickness. Shut off the generator and step outside for some fresh air just to be sure.

Because smoke rises, mount alarms high on a wall or on the ceiling, depending on the manufacturers instructions.
In stairways with no doors at the top or bottom, position smoke alarms anywhere in the path of smoke moving up the stairs. But always position smoke alarms at the bottom of closed stairways, such as those leading to the basement, because dead air trapped near the door at the top of a stairway could prevent smoke from reaching an alarm located at the top.

Monoxide Detector - House Install Locations Diagram
Do not install a smoke alarm too close to a window, door, or forced-air register where drafts could interfere with the alarm's operation. For the best results, follow the printed instructions that come with the smoke alarm.

Most battery-powered smoke alarms and alarms that plug into wall outlets can be installed using only a drill and a screwdriver by following the manufacturer's instructions. Plug-in alarms must have restraining devices so they cannot be unplugged by accident. Alarms can also be hard-wired into a building's electrical system. Hard-wired alarms should be installed by a qualified electrician. Never connect a smoke alarm to a circuit that can be turned off by a wall switch.

Smoke alarms purchased over the last few years will have an expiry date stamped into the back of the alarm.

Manufacturers recommend replacing any smoke alarm that is over 10 years old. While the smoke alarm may still look okay and may test when the button is pressed, they can still deteriorate over time. The interior workings that allow to alarm to “smell” the smoke may become coated with grease, dust, cobwebs and dirt and may reduce it’s ability to detect smoke.

The Ontario Fire Code mandates that there must be a working smoke alarm on each storey of the home. It is the expectation as the property owner that you install smoke alarms as required. If you live in a rental unit, ask the property owner to install one or more working smoke alarms. Property owners are obligated by law to ensure there is at least one working smoke alarm in every rental unit. If the owner does not respond or comply, contact the Fire Prevention Division and we will contact the property owner to make certain the rental unit is in compliance with the law.

Every home in Ontario must have a working smoke alarm on every storey and outside all sleeping areas – it’s the law! Failure to comply with the Fire Code smoke alarm requirements could result in a ticket but it also could result in a loss of life.

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

2. Landlords
It is the responsibility of landlords to ensure their rental properties comply with the law. We strongly encourage landlords to use our smoke alarm checklists to keep a record of all maintenance work done on smoke alarms.

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

When installing smoke alarms, refer to the manufacturers instructions for information about correct placement. Test your smoke alarms every month using the test button. Replace smoke alarm batteries at least once a year, and whenever the low-battery warning chirps. Smoke alarms don’t last forever. Replace smoke alarms with new ones if they are more than ten years old. Steam from the shower or cooking in the oven, stove or toaster can cause smoke alarms to activate. Do not remove the battery. Instead, try moving the alarm to a different location, or purchase a smoke alarm with a hush feature that will temporarily silence the alarm.

Town of Ingersoll
130 Oxford Street (2nd Floor), Ingersoll, ON, N5C 2V5, Map this location
Phone: 519-485-0120, Email Us

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms

What is Carbon Monoxide?

Carbon Monoxide Detector Placement

RV's, Caravans and Holiday Homes

Installation and Maintenance

Replacing Alarms

How to Obtain a Smoke Alarm

Smoke Alarm Regulation

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