The Municipality of Leamington has obtained convictions resulting in fines totalling $1,920, plus court costs, against a local rental unit manager following a fire safety inspection of a residential housing unit. The inspection revealed multiple violations of the Ontario Fire Code related to the installation and maintenance of required smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
Following an investigation, the Municipality of Leamington’s Fire Services issued six provincial offence notices to the rental unit manager for non-compliance with alarm requirements under the Fire Code. Charges included:
- Three tickets for failure to install a smoke alarm, and
- Three tickets for failure to install a carbon monoxide alarm.
The provincial offence notices resulted in fines totalling $1,920, in addition to applicable court costs.
“Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms save lives,” said Fire Chief Don Williamson. “Ensuring that these devices are properly installed and maintained in every level of a home and outside sleeping areas is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect residents from fire and carbon monoxide hazards.”
Under the Ontario Fire Code, smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms are required on every level of a home and outside all sleeping areas in residential buildings. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring these life-saving devices are properly installed and maintained.
Leamington Fire Services urges all residents and property owners to regularly test alarms and replace batteries as needed. Ensuring these devices are functional is a simple yet critical step in preventing injury and loss of life in the event of a fire or carbon monoxide incident.
Failure to comply with the Ontario Fire Code may result in fines and other enforcement action.
For more information about the Ontario Fire Code requirements or any other fire safety matters, please contact Leamington Fire Services at 519-326-6291, Monday to Friday, between 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM, or visit leamington.ca/FireServices.