Carbon monoxide safety isn’t new, but Ontario’s alarm-placement rules changed on January 1, 2026. If you have not checked your alarms recently, this is a good time to do it.
If you’ve owned your home for a while, there’s a good chance your current setup was perfectly acceptable under the old requirements. That doesn’t automatically mean it meets today’s standard.
Here is how I would review the change with a homeowner: what applied before, what the new rule adds, and what to check in your own home. The summary below is for houses, townhouses and cottages; multi-unit buildings have their own Fire Code details. For a specific layout, confirm with your local fire service.
The Old Requirements (What Many Homes Still Have)
Before January 2026, covered homes already needed CO alarms adjacent to sleeping areas. Coverage included homes with a fuel-burning appliance, a fireplace or an attached garage; the garage trigger is not new.
For example, an older compliant setup might have had:
- One CO alarm near the bedrooms
- No CO alarm on the main floor (if bedrooms were upstairs)
- No CO alarm in the basement (if there were no bedrooms down there)
The New Requirements (What Changed)
The January 2026 Ontario Fire Code change adds every-storey placement in covered homes. It also addresses homes heated by air from a fuel-burning appliance outside the home.
Now, CO alarms are required:
- Adjacent to every sleeping area (this part continues)
- On every storey of the home (including storeys with no bedrooms, like many basements and main floors)
Does This Apply to Your Home?
If your home has any of the following, you should assume these requirements apply and verify your setup:
- A fuel-burning appliance (gas/oil/propane furnace, water heater, etc.)
- A fireplace (including fuel-burning units)
- An attached garage (already a trigger under the earlier rule)
- Heat supplied by air from a fuel-burning appliance outside the home
Why an Attached Garage Still Matters
Even if your home is mostly electric, an attached garage can bring it within the CO-alarm rules. That was true before the 2026 every-storey change.
CO from a running vehicle or fuel-powered equipment can enter living space. Never run a vehicle in an attached garage; because CO is invisible and odourless, a working alarm is an important warning.
What Homeowners Should Do (Simple Checklist)
- Walk through every storey, including the basement.
Plan at least one alarm on each storey of a covered home and confirm coverage adjacent to every sleeping area; your layout may require more. - Confirm you have a CO alarm adjacent to each sleeping area.
The goal is simple: if it goes off at night, it needs to be loud enough to wake you up. - Add an alarm on every storey that doesn’t already have one.
Main floor and basement are the two most common misses. - Use alarms that meet the applicable standard and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Placement and mounting instructions vary by device. - Test and replace alarms as directed.
Follow the manufacturer’s testing schedule and replace each alarm by its stated end-of-life date.
Why This Matters for Resale (Even If You’re Not Moving Today)
I see CO alarms come up most often during home inspections, insurance reviews and pre-listing walkthroughs. Missing or incorrectly placed alarms can trigger last-minute fixes and unnecessary negotiation friction.
A working alarm is first a safety measure. If you are preparing to sell, checking placement early can also leave time to resolve questions before an inspection.
Helpful resources (official / safety):
Bottom Line
For a covered home, the January 2026 change adds every-storey alarm placement to the continuing requirement for alarms adjacent to sleeping areas. An attached garage was already one way a home could be covered.
If you are unsure how the Fire Code applies to your home, ask your local fire service or a qualified safety professional. If you are preparing to sell, I can help you plan when to get that advice.
Expect Moore for Your Real Estate.
— Chad Moore, REALTOR® | Lake City Realty