Fire Safety

Learn how you can keep you and your family safe with our home safety guides and tips. Make sure that you install and maintain smoke alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms in your home.

Fire safety for your business

Whether you’re just starting or re-opening your business or establishment, please keep these fire safety guidelines in mind.

 Risks, equipment and procedures

Low Risk Concerns

Several low-risk concerns can be resolved quickly and without significant cost

  • Ensure exit/emergency lights are working.
  • Check to see if portable fire extinguishers are up-to-date and accessible, and that the pressure gauge is in the appropriate range (green). This indicates that it is fully charged and ready to use.
  • Clear all fire safety exits.
  • Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.

Fire protection equipment

It’s important to have fire protection equipment in good working order. This includes:

  • Fire alarm systems.
  • Commercial cooking systems.
  • Sprinkler systems.

Fire protection equipment requires regular maintenance and testing, please check your equipment’s service interval dates and if needed contact a qualified service provider.

Procedures, safety reminders and more

The following procedures and safety reminders could help save a life and significant cost to your business.

  • Review your evacuation procedures and fire access routes.
  • Review and provide staff fire safety training.
  • Determine if your fire safety plan is still suitable, given fewer people in the premises.
  • Carefully manage extra inventory and keep away from fire/escape routes.
  • Keep inventory away from ignition sources such as a furnace.
  • Do not wedge open fire doors.

All fire safety regulations can be found in the Ontario Fire Code. Contact us for specific question about fire safety in your establishment.

Fire safety presentations

You can request a fire safety presentation for your school, community group, or workplace. Contact us for a Presentation Request form.

Fire Community Outreach Request Form

Municipal numbering

Your home's municipal numbering must be clearly visible so that emergency services can reach you in the event of a fire.

Kids Zone

Learn about fire safety from Sparky the Fire Dog, play games and apps, watch videos, activities and learn about different kinds of fire trucks.

Visit Sparky.org

Smoke alarms

Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms save lives. You may have less than 60 seconds to escape from a fire. A smoke alarm gives you the early warning that you'll need to leave your home safely. Create and practice your home fire escape plan so that everyone knows what to do during an emergency.

You must have a working smoke alarm:

  • Outside all sleeping areas
  • On every storey of your home

You should also install smoke alarms inside every bedroom.

Test your alarms

Make sure to test a smoke alarm monthly. You should change its batteries at least once a year or when you hear the low-battery warning sounds. Replace your smoke alarms every 10 years or when recommended in the manufacturer's instructions.

Fire extinguishers

You can use a fire extinguisher to put out a small fire. Never put yourself or anyone in danger by trying to put out a fire that's too large or if smoke becomes a hazard.

Choosing the proper fire extinguisher

Make sure that you choose the correct type of fire extinguisher and know where to find it in your home or business. Get training (if you need to) on how to use it properly.

You can check a fire extinguisher's class rating on its faceplate. Some can have more than one rating and are able to put out different types of fires.

Class A

Class A extinguishes solids such as wood, paper, and plastics.
Class B

Class B extinguishes flammable liquids like fuels, oils, greases, and propane.
Class C

Class C doesn't conduct electrical currents. You can use Class C extinguishers on:

  • energized electrical equipment
  • appliances
  • switches
  • wiring
  • fuse boxes
  • electrical motors
  • power tools
  • panel boxes
Class D

Class D extinguishes metals that burn at high temperatures and give off enough oxygen to support combustion, such as:

  • magnesium
  • sodium
  • titanium
  • potassium