THUNDER BAY -- Carbon monoxide detectors are now mandatory in most Ontario residential dwellings.
Thunder Bay Fire Rescue Chief John Hay said the provincial legislation went into effect Wednesday and requires residents to install the potentially life-saving devices outside of every sleeping area.
They’re required in homes with attached garages and any home with a fuel-burning appliance, such as a furnace or water heater. All-electric homes with no attached garage are exempt from the legislation.
The odorless, colourless, tasteless gas, a byproduct of burning fuel, killed 11 people in Ontario last year alone.
Hay said he welcomes the new legislation, though admitted it will add to Thunder Bay Fire Rescue’s workload and could impact the emergency service’s annual budget.
The public will have a lead-in period to comply.
“We’re going to do the education component first. We won’t be charging somebody today because they didn’t have a carbon monoxide detector,” Hay said. “But we will be doing an education campaign.”
The fine for non-compliance has yet to be established.
“But it will be similar to a ticket for failing to have or maintain a smoke detector,” Hay said.
The chief said there is a need for the legislation.
Carbon monoxide is deadly and nearly impossible to detect, especially in its purest form.
“If your venting system or your chimneys are suspect, you may get carbon monoxide back into your home,” the chief said.
“And it is a cumulative exposure, over time. It can build up in the body. It’s usually lightheadedness, a headache, a little bit of weakness and not feeling well, similar to flu-like symptoms. That’s an acute exposure. If it’s a long-term exposure that’s chronic, that’s a little bit at a time, it may take a long time for those symptoms to show up,” Hay said.
“Hopefully the carbon monoxide detectors will alert people before the symptoms show up.”
Of course prevention is the best cure, he added.
The Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs recommends having fuel-burning appliances and chimneys inspected each year by certified professionals.
The OAFC cautions that if an alarm goes off, always exit the home and call the fire department.
Detectors are available at most hardware stores and cost between $30 and $110.
