The Ontario Building Code | Required Smoke Alarms
9.10.19.1. Required Smoke Alarms
(1) Smoke alarms conforming to CAN/ulc-S531, "Smoke Alarms", shall be installed in each dwelling unit and in each sleeping room not within a dwelling unit.
(2) Smoke alarms required in Sentence (1) shall have a visual signalling component conforming to the requirements in 18.5.3. (light, Color and Pulse Characteristics) of nfpa 72, "National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code".
(3) The visual signalling component required in Sentence (2) need not,
(a) be integrated with the smoke alarm provided it is interconnected to it,
(b) be on battery backup, or
(c) have synchronized flash rates, when installed in a dwelling unit.
(4) The luminous intensity for visual signalling components required in Sentence (2) that are installed in sleeping rooms shall be a minimum of 175 cd.
(5) Smoke alarms required in Sentence (1) shall be installed on or near the ceiling.
In Plain Language
Smoke alarms are required in the locations set out in this article, providing basic early warning within individual dwelling units.
This is a plain-language summary of the 2012/2017 Ontario Building Code text above, for general understanding only and not a substitute for the Code. Always confirm current requirements against the 2024 edition (O.Reg. 163/24) or a qualified professional before construction.