General
- What is the difference between the "local" fire department and the Office
of the Fire Marshal?
The OFM is part of the Public Safety Division of the Ontario Ministry of Public
Safety and Security. Our primary function is to minimize the loss of life and
property from fire by assisting Ontario municipalities and fire departments to
improve their fire protection and fire prevention services. The OFM provides leadership
within government and supports the fire service across the province to meet the
needs of the community.
By administering the Fire Safety Legislation, the OFM supports the functions
of municipal fire departments through a variety of advisory, investigation, training
and instructional programs. In addition, the OFM conducts research and advises
the Ontario Government on standards and legislation that relate to fire protection
and fire prevention.
For more information on the activities of the OFM please visit the
"Who We Are" page
Fire departments are established by municipal by-law under the authority of
provincial legislation. They endeavor to better the quality of life through public
education and prevention of fire, and provide a fire suppression force capable
of handling emergencies, which may include structural fire fighting, pre-hospital
medical assistance, traffic accidents, and response to hazardous materials incidents.
- Who is the Chief Fire Official and what is his/her role? The
Chief Fire Official means the Municipal Fire Chief or a member or members of the
fire department designated by the Municipal Fire Chief or a person appointed by
the Fire Marshal under the Ontario Fire Code. The Fire Marshal may appoint persons
who are assistants to the Fire Marshal to be Chief Fire Officials for the purposes
and subject to the limitations and conditions as are set out in the appointment.
The Chief Fire Official has the authority to enforce the Ontario Fire Code. He/She
is the person who has the authority to approve equivalencies or provisions contained
in the Ontario Fire Code.
- I cannot find the phone number for my "local" fire department, without
dialing "911", can you help me?
The phone number for your local fire department can be found in the municipal
blue pages of the phone book. NEVER dial the 911
or Emergency phone number in non-emergency situations. This could have life-threatening
consequences for somebody else in an emergency situation.
- When do I call my local fire department and when do I call The Office
of the Fire Marshal for fire safety information or inspections?
The local fire department should be called regarding any inspections that need
to be performed. Fire safety information can also be obtained from the fire department.
Remember to call the non-emergency number when requesting an inspection or fire
safety information.
- I have a basement apartment, whom do I contact for information and an
inspection?
The inspection of apartments (basement, highrise or lowrise) falls under the jurisdiction
of the local fire department. You should call your local fire department to request
an inspection.
- Where are you located? What are your hours?
Our head office is located in North York, Ontario. There are also regional offices
that represent the delivery arm of the OFM's functions and each office is responsible
for providing fire investigation, fire safety inspection, fire advisory and fire
department assist services at the local level. For a list of addresses and phone
numbers please visit the Regional Offices webpage.
Head office hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
- Can you send me a copy of the Ontario Fire Code?
Unfortunately, we are unable to provide complementary copies of the Ontario Fire
Code to the public. Copies of the Fire Code can be purchased from
Publications Ontario
(1-800-668-9938 Toll Free in Ontario or (416) 326-5300).
A copy of the Ontario Fire Code is
also available on this website and in our
Fire Sciences Library. Large city libraries will have all Ontario statutes
and regulations available for viewing. Smaller communities should contact their
county library headquarters to inquire about the availibility of the Ontario Fire
Code.
- Where can I find a copy of the Fire Protection and Prevention Act,
1997 (FPPA) and the Ontario Fire Code on the internet?
The
Fire Protection and Prevention Act,
1997 and the Ontario Fire Code
can be found on the E-laws website. They are also available for purchase from
Publications Ontario.
- What is a Life Safety Study?
A Life Safety Study is a detailed fire safety analysis prepared by an Architect
or a Professional Engineer and is a proposal to the Chief Fire
Official. It consists of a detailed assessment of the life safety performance
requirements that clearly identifies items not meeting the requirements of the
Ontario Fire Code, a detailed description of how an acceptable level of life safety
can be achieved and a detailed time schedule to implement the proposed upgrades.
The Chief Fire Official will review the Life Safety Study and can either approve
or reject the proposal submitted to him/her.
- Can I borrow books from the Fire Sciences
Library or Resource Centre?
People who do not work for the Office of the Fire Marshal must arrange for interlibrary
loan service through their local public or institutional library in order to borrow
books or reports.
AV materials are loaned to all residents of Ontario. Students must borrow our
AV and other resources via their institutional library. The general public and
fire service may borrow AV materials directly from the
Audio-Visual Resource Centre. Audiovisual
materials are to be used for educational purposes, fire department training or
promotion of fire safety awareness. Audiovisual materials may not be shown where
there is an admission fee.
Fire Safety
- Are barbecues allowed on apartment balconies?
Article 2.6.3.4. of the Ontario Fire Code reads "Open air burning shall not be
permitted unless approved (by the Chief Fire Official), or
unless such burning consists of a small confined fire, supervised at all times,
and used to cook food on a grill or a barbecue". The Ontario Fire Code
currently does not have any restrictions on where the barbecue can be
located. However, the Ontario Propane and Natural Gas Codes should also be reviewed
as do other jurisdictional requirements such as municipal by-laws and environmental
regulations and by-laws.
- My neighbour is burning a pile of leaves in his yard. Is this safe and
is it allowed?
Article 2.6.3.4. of the Ontario Fire Code reads "Open air burning shall not be
permitted unless approved (by the Chief Fire Official), or unless such burning
consists of a small confined fire, supervised at all times, and used to cook food
on a grill or a barbecue".
If a municipality is not located within an
Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR)
designated fire region, open air burning must meet the Fire Code. In addition,
if your municipality has a permit system, then a permit must also be obtained
and the requirements followed.
If a municipality is located within an MNR designated fire region, open air
burning must meet both the Forest Fires Prevention Act (FFPA) and Fire Code requirements.
An MNR burn permit is not required for small scale burning if certain conditions
are met . Otherwise, a permit is required and the MNR will evaluate the safety
precautions proposed by an applicant before granting or denying a burn permit.
Also, the Fire Code requirement for approved burning must be satisfied. In addition,
if your municipality has a permit system, then a permit must be obtained and the
requirements followed.
For more information on open air burning, see Communiqué
#96-048 (December 17,
1996) OPEN AIR BURNING UNDER THE ONTARIO FIRE CODE AND THE AMENDED FOREST FIRES
PREVENTION ACT.
- The smoke from my neighbour’s chimney is blowing into my bedroom window.
Isn’t there something in the Fire Code that will stop this?
This is not a Fire Code issue. However, it may be an issue with the
Ministry of the Environment.
- What is a door closer and why do I need one on my apartment door?
Door closing hardware is attached to a door and allows the door to automatically
close and latch after it has been opened. Other terms for this hardware include
self-closing hardware, self-closer, self-closing device, closer, and door closer.
If there is a fire in an apartment, the door closer will automatically shut the
door after the occupant leaves. This will limit the spread of smoke and fire into
the corridor and other parts of the building.
The Ontario Fire Code requires self-closing devices on residential suite doors
in apartment buildings that are more than six storeys in building height, in apartment
buildings that are not greater than six storeys in building height (where the
suite doors open onto corridors that have only one direction of exit travel),
in some lodging, rooming and boarding house configurations, and in some two unit
residential occupancies.
Both the Ontario Building Code
and the Fire Code identify many other locations in buildings where self-closing
devices are needed, such as on exit stair doors, laundry room doors, and garbage
room doors. Generally, doors in corridors require this hardware, with some exceptions.
For more information on self-closing devices, please see Communiqué
#96-030 (September 20,
1996) SELF-CLOSING HARDWARE ON RESIDENTIAL SUITE DOORS.
Smoke Alarms
- Can you recommend a smoke alarm and where can I buy one?
The Fire Marshals Office cannot recommend a particular brand of smoke alarm. However,
we do recommend that electrical smoke alarms (hard wired) and battery operated
smoke alarms be U.L.C. listed. Products that have been evaluated by Underwriters
Laboratories of Canada (U.L.C.), and found to meet their requirements carry the
ULC mark. Most department or hardware stores carry a variety of smoke alarms.
For more information on smoke alarms please read
Facts About Smoke
Alarms.
- How do I maintain my smoke alarm?
Install a new battery of the proper type at least once a year. If the low battery
warning beeps, replace the battery immediately. We change our clocks each spring
and fall so this a good time to change your smoke alarm batteries too.
Never remove the battery for use in other devices.
Dust can clog a smoke alarm, so carefully vacuum the inside of a battery powered
unit using the soft bristle brush. If electrically connected, shut off the power
and vacuum the outside vents only. Restore power and test unit when finished.
Smoke alarms do wear out, so if you think your alarms are more than 10 years
old, replace them with new ones.
- Where should I install my smoke alarm?
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 manufacturers installation instructions.
- What is the
proper way for me to dispose of my old smoke alarms?
Waste Diversion Ontario (WDO), a non-crown corporation created under the
Waste Diversion Act, was established to develop, implement and operate waste
diversion programs for a wide range of materials designated by the Ministry
of the Environment. One of the designated waste material categories is Waste
Electronics and Electrical Equipment (WEEE), which include various
appliances, equipment, tools and instruments. Smoke alarms have been
specifically identified to be included within this scope. We have been
advised that the development of this particular diversion program is
currently in progress. For more information on the status of this program,
you may access WDO's website at www.wdo.ca or contact them at (416)
226-5113.
Despite the fact that the WEEE program is still under development, many
Ontario municipalities already have hazardous waste recycling depots in
place for collecting hazardous electronic waste materials. Please contact
your municipal waste management department to determine whether such a
facility is available in your municipality.
In the event your municipality does not offer this type of service, many
smoke alarms have a label stating they should be returned to the
manufacturer for disposal. As well, the Nuclear Substances and Radiation
Devices Regulations permits a person, without a licence, to dispose of smoke
alarms containing a nuclear substance if it does not contain more than 185
kBq of americium 241. Residential ionization smoke alarms typically contain
up to 33 kBq of americium 241, which is comparable to the background
radiation already present in many materials.
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) has confirmed that individual
smoke alarms containing americium 241 may be disposed of in the garbage. If
the smoke alarm contains radium or if more than 10 units have to be disposed
of, then the consumer should contact the CNSC at 1-800-668-5284 to determine
the proper procedure.
- Working Smoke Alarms: It's the Law
Effective March 1, 2006, it is the law for all Ontario homes to have a working
smoke alarm on every storey and outside all sleeping areas. With this
previously announced Fire Code amendment now in effect, it is hoped there will
be a reduction of the number of preventable fire-related injuries and
fatalities. The amendment covers single family, semi-detached and town
homes, whether owner-occupied or rented.
To increase awareness about the amendment and the importance of working smoke
alarms, the Office of the Fire Marshal launched an ongoing provincial
awareness campaign called Working Smoke Alarms: It's the Law, in December,
2005. In addition to its focus of smoke alarm requirements and
responsibilities, the campaign will educate the public about smoke alarm
technology, installation and maintenance.
The OFM has developed a number of public education and media materials to help
raise public awareness of the new smoke alarm requirements. They can be
downloaded below for use by the fire service and media.
Plan Review
- How many copies of plans do I need to submit for plan review?
For plan review of hospitals, nursing homes, and homes for the aged you must submit
TWO copies of the plans. Review of schools, colleges and universities require
only ONE copy of the plans. More information is available on the OFM Plan Approval
Program here.
With the repeal of the Hotel Fire Safety Act, approval of drawings and
specifications by the Fire Marshal for construction of a hotel, alterations in
a hotel or conversion of a building to a hotel is no longer required. The Office
of the Fire Marshal is discontinuing this activity for construction, conversion
and alteration projects initiated after July 30, 1998.
Fire Investigation
- How do I obtain a copy of a fire investigation report?
Unless you are somehow involved with the fire, you will be unable to receive a
copy of the fire investigation report. If you are involved with the fire, you
must write to the appropriate Regional Office and detail
your involvement with the fire incident. The report will only be sent out when
the report has been finalized.
Becoming a Firefighter
- Do you have any recommendation on what courses to take or what college
to attend for firefighting or fire investigation work?
Some community colleges in Ontario offer programs in fire protection, fire prevention
or fire protection engineering. Contact the
Ministry of Education and
Training to inquire about current information on college programs or visit
your local colleges and speak with the coordinators. You may also find that the
colleges are on mailing lists for receiving fire department examination announcements.
There is also a list of endorsed programs,
workshops and seminars on this site.
