Questions abound about new carbon monoxide regs

Jeff Helsdon, Editor

The province’s new carbon monoxide detector rules are resulting in many enquiries to the Tillsonburg Fire Department.

Taking effect on Jan. 1, the new regulations require a carbon monoxide detector on every story of a home and outside sleeping areas, plus include new provisions on when a carbon monoxide detector is needed. A detector is also required if there is an attached garage. Carbon monoxide is a scentless gas created from the burning of fuels, such as natural gas, propane, heating oil, or wood. Carbon monoxide poisoning can lead to headaches, nausea, dizziness, confusion, drowsiness, and death.

The Tillsonburg department staff receive several calls per day about the regulations, plus many e-mails and questions on social media.

“They want to know the legislative requirements for installation of carbon monoxide detectors,” said Geoff Hayman, Tillsonburg Fire Department’s fire prevention officer. “They want to know where they have to put carbon monoxide detectors.”

In Tillsonburg, the focus is on educating the public about the new regulations. That’s not the case in other municipalities. The new regulations were compared to speeding tickets, where a set fine could be issued for non-compliance, or a summons to appear in court could be issued. Often, a court appearance results in a higher fine. Fines of up to $10,000 have been issued in other municipalities for multi-residential units or if there is a fire.

“If it’s a serious offence and there’s a fire, we can haul them into court, and they’re subject to the legislation with fines up to $100,000,” Hayman said.

“We want to stress the importance of this; the community needs to take it seriously,” said Sara Barclay, public educator with the Tillsonburg Fire Department.

In the case of rental units, responsibility for maintaining working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms is split between the tenant and landlord. The landlord needs to provide and install the detectors. The tenant is responsible for reporting any issues with the detector to the landlord and cannot disable the unit.

Hayman recommended the landlord keep a log to track when they install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, provide tenants with instructions on maintenance, and have the tenants verify it.

He wanted tenants and landlords alike to know that interpretations can vary depending on the situation. For instance, he said, in a multiple-storey building heated with hot-water radiators and a single gas-burning heater in the basement, a detector is only needed in the basement. However, in the same scenario with a forced air furnace, detectors are needed in each unit.

“The interpretation of the regulations for the structure is unique to each structure,” he explained.

The fire department is willing to provide advice for individual situations as well.