Fire & Life Safety Education
Smoke Alarm Information & Maintenance
Most fatal fires occur at night when people are sleeping. A working smoke alarm will detect smoke and sound to alert you. Effective March 1, 2006, it is the law for all Ontario homes to have a working smoke alarm on every story and outside all sleeping areas. This covers single family, semi-detached and town homes, whether owner-occupied or rented.
Choose the best alarm
There are two different types of smoke alarms to choose from. Ionization Smoke Alarm uses a small amount of radioactive material to ionize the air between two electrically charged plates, causing a measurable current to flow between plates. When smoke enters the chamber, it changes the flow of current, which is detected and activates the alarm. Photoelectric Smoke Alarm uses a light source that is aimed away from a sensor in a sensing chamber. When smoke enters the chamber it reflects the light onto the sensor, which is detected and activates the alarm. Smoke alarms can be electrically connected, battery operated, or both.
Where to install smoke alarms
Because smoke rises, it is recommended you place the alarms on the ceiling. Avoid ceilings near bathrooms, heating appliances, windows and ceiling fans. The smoke alarm should be installed between each sleeping area and the remainder of the building or where a sleeping area is served by a hallway, install the alarm in the hall. Always install the smoke alarm on or near the ceiling in accordance with the manufacturer's installation instructions
See more on smoke alarms here.
Test your smoke alarms regularly by pressing the test button on the device. Replace batteries regularly. Install a new battery in each alarm at least once a year. All battery-operated smoke alarms are required to emit a warning sound, usually an intermittent “chirp” when the battery power is low. When warning chirp sounds, replace your battery immediately. Never wait. Change your batteries when you change your clocks in the spring and fall. Smoke alarms do wear out, so if you think your alarms are more than 10 years old, replace them with new ones.
Maintain your alarm
Dust can clog a smoke alarm, so gently vacuum alarms every six months using a soft brush. Never vacuum electrically connected alarms unless you shut off the power. Test your unit when finished cleaning. When installing, testing, and maintaining smoke alarms, make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Fire Inspection Data
Click for Fire Inspection Open Data Download here
All data and information are provided "as is" without warranty or any representation of accuracy, timeliness of completeness. The burden for determining accuracy, completeness, timeliness, and suitability for or the appropriateness for use rests solely on the requester. The Township of King makes no warranties, express or implied, as to the use of the information obtained here. There are no implied warranties of appropriateness for a particular purpose. The requester acknowledges and accepts all Copy Rights Act limitations, including the fact that the data, information, and maps are dynamic and in a constant state of maintenance, correction and updated.
What is carbon monoxide?
Carbon monoxide (CO) is referred to as the “silent” killer as it's an invisible, tasteless and odourless deadly gas. Fuel burning appliances like your furnace, hot water heater, stove, BBQ, generator, portable fuel-burning heater and gas or wood fireplaces can produce CO.
Your CO alarm sounds or alerts differently than your smoke alarm. The sound is a continuous pattern of 4 short beeps followed by a pause and then repeats. The only way to detect it is with a CO alarm. If your alarm goes off, get outside and call 911.
Effective January 1, 2026, new carbon monoxide (CO) alarm rules are coming for homeowners and landlords of existing homes
The new requirements expand where CO alarms must be placed.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an invisible, odourless and deadly gas. Keeping your family safe means ensuring you have working CO alarms properly installed and maintained in your home.
Where do the New Requirements Apply?
All existing homes (detached, semi-detached, townhouses, cottages) that have any of the following:
- A fuel-burning appliance (like a furnace, water heater or stove that uses natural gas, propane, oil or wood)
- A fireplace
- An attached garage
- Heated air that comes from a fuel-burning appliance not located inside your home
Need Clarification or More Information?
For questions about requirements that apply to your home, please contact King Fire and Emergency Services, Fire Prevention.
CO alarm installation requirements are outlined in Section 2.16 of Division B of the Ontario Fire Code (O. Reg. 213/07)
Who’s Responsible for Compliance?
- Homeowners – for owner-occupied homes
- Landlords – for rental properties
The Ontario Fire Code permits carbon monoxide alarms to be:
- Hardwired (connected directly to an electrical system)
- Battery-operated (portable or permanently mounted)
- Plug-in devices (plugs into a standard electrical outlet)
Buying and Installing CO Alarms:
Choose alarms with a Canadian recognized certification mark and follow the manufacturer's instructions. Some examples of testing agencies include:
- CSA (Canadian Standards Association)
- ULC (Underwriters Laboratories of Canada)
- Intertek (ETL)
Where to Install CO Alarms:
You must install a CO alarm in these two locations:
- Adjacent to all sleeping areas (near all bedrooms)
- Effective January 1, 2026 on every storey (floor) of your home, including storeys that do not have a sleeping area.
In a fire or other emergency, you may need to evacuate on a moments notice. You should be ready to go fast. It is important for you and your family to create and practice an escape plan.
The following is a list of things to do when creating your escape plan:
- Draw a floor plan of your residence. Using a blue or black pen and a piece of graph paper, show the locations of doors, windows, stairways and larger furniture.
- Indicate the location of emergency supplies including your 72-Hour Survival Kit, fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, collapsible ladders, first aid kits and utility shut off points.
- Use a colored pen to draw a broken line charting at least two escape routes from each room.
- Mark a place outside of the home where household members should meet in case of fire.
- Be sure to include important points outside such as garages, patios, stairways, elevators, driveways and porches.
Download this image to help draw out your escape plan!
If your home has more than two floors use an additional sheet of paper. Practice emergency evacuation drills with all household members at least twice a year. This exercise was included in the York Region Emergency Preparedness Guide.
To obtain a copy call (905) 833-2800.
At King Fire, we put a lot of time and energy into our local school programs. We regularly take our fire safety trailer to local schools for grades 1-3. We assist in York Region Junior Fire day for grade 3 students. We run junior firefighter camp during the summer for school age children to get a hands on experience. We also regularly support several high school students to complete their co-op program at our King City Hall.
This mobile unit is used as an “all hazards" recognition trailer which educates our residents and their children on residential fire safety, such as; how to develop a fire escape plan, EDITH - Exit Drills In The Home, kitchen safety (preventing kitchen fires, burns and scald prevention), carbon monoxide and smoke alarm education, Stop, Drop, and Roll, and Learn how to "Get Out" and "Stay Out". This interactive trailer plays a significant role in supporting public education programs, attending our local grade schools, as well as public education events such as Victoria Day in Nobleton and the Schomberg Spring Fair.
By request our Fire Prevention staff offer hands on fire extinguisher training.
Please contact: 905-833-2800
Fire Prevention
We routinely inspect business and schools to ensure they comply with fire codes. We work closely with owners to ensure the safety of their staff and customers.
As part of the inspection process, we ensure that occupancies that require a fire safety plan have the necessary safety plans ready for use, approved and updated for our fire service.
The sale, use and display of fireworks are all governed and regulated by the Fireworks By-law.
For more information or to apply for a permit, click here.
Effective 2021 a valid permit is required for the sale of fireworks in King Township.
The fee for the permit is $48.00 and you must obtain a new permit for each sale period. Fireworks are only permitted for sale within the Township on Victoria Day, Canada Day, and Diwali and for a period of seven (7) days prior to each of the above holidays.
Vendors can apply for the permit here.