Ontario Fire Code Changes Take Effect January 1, 2026

The Ontario Fire Code has made major updates in 2026. These changes affect almost every building in the province and will require owners and managers to update equipment, inspections, and documentation.

The 2026 Fire Code changes are designed to:

Improve early detection of fires and CO
Strengthen inspection and testing requirements
Increase safety in modern and complex buildings
Improve enforcement and compliance

Below is a simple guide to what has changed and what it means for you.

1. Fire Alarm Inspections Will Become Much More Detailed

What’s changing:

All fire alarm systems in Ontario must be inspected using a newer, much stricter testing standard.

What this means for you:

Annual fire alarm inspections will take longer because every device must be tested individually. This means no more sampling.
Batteries and power supplies must be load-tested, not just checked with a voltmeter.
The testing now includes things like:
- Voice evacuation systems
- CO detectors that are connected to the alarm system
- Air-sampling systems
- Any equipment tied to the fire alarm (sprinklers, fans, door releases, etc.)

What you need to do:

Expect longer inspection times and more suite access.
Budget for higher annual inspection costs.
Make sure your fire protection contractor is using the official 2019 ULC forms, not custom checklists.

2. CO Alarms Must Be Installed on Every Storey of Many Homes & Buildings

Residential buildings will be affected most by this change.

If your property has:

a fuel-burning appliance (furnace, boiler, water heater, gas stove),
a fireplace,
or an attached garage,

then you must install CO alarms on every level of the home or unit — even floors without bedrooms.

For example:

A three-storey townhome with bedrooms only on the top floor now needs CO alarms on all three storeys.
Apartments located beside or above a furnace room or parking garage must have CO alarms by the sleeping area.
Public corridors heated by fuel-burning equipment must have CO alarms every 25 m.

What you need to do:

Plan for CO alarm retrofits in all units and common areas.
Add CO alarm checks to your annual suite entry procedures.
For retirement homes, CO alarms are now required even in older buildings.

3. Stronger Rules for Exits and Door Locks

What’s changing:

Every exit door in a residential building — not just official “fire exits” — must:

Open easily from the inside without special tools.
Use locking devices that meet the Building Code or are approved by the fire department.

What this means:

If tenants or staff rely on FOB readers, magnetic locks, or specialty hardware, these systems must still release quickly and safely during an emergency.

4. New Maintenance Rules for Modern Construction Materials

This applies to buildings with mass timber or special wood construction.

These materials must keep their protective coverings intact over time. Damage, wear, or missing fire-resistant layers will now be considered a maintenance issue that must be repaired.

5. Updated Rules for High-Hazard Materials and Large Farm Buildings

Hazardous materials:

Buildings that store flammable liquids, chemicals, aerosols, or combustible dust must follow updated national standards. This mostly affects industrial, commercial, and agricultural operations.

Large farm buildings:

Farm buildings built after January 1, 2025, that are:

over 600 m², or
more than 3 storeys,

must follow fire safety and fire equipment rules similar to commercial buildings.

Hazardous cannabis extraction areas must follow strict fire safety requirements.

6. Stricter Enforcement and Higher Penalties

What owners should expect:

Fines for individuals can be up to $50,000.
For corporations, fines can reach $500,000.
Municipalities may soon start using Administrative Monetary Penalties (AMPs) tickets that can be issued immediately for Fire Code violations.

Why this matters:

You may face fines sooner, with less warning, if:

deficiencies remain unfixed,
documentation is incomplete,
CO alarms are missing, or
fire alarm reports don’t meet the new standard.

What Owners and Managers Should Do Right Away:

Review your buildings for where new CO alarms are needed
Schedule CO alarm retrofits ASAP
Confirm your fire alarm contractor is prepared for the new testing standard
Update your Fire Safety Plan
Plan for longer annual inspections
Ensure all exit doors meet the new unlocking requirements
Update tenant access procedures for mandatory in-suite testing
Make sure all fire safety documents are kept on-site and organized

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