Since January 1, 2026, Ontario’s Fire Code requires a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm on every storey of a home that has a fuel-burning appliance, a fireplace or an attached garage, in addition to the alarm near the bedrooms. In a bungalow, that means the basement now needs its own alarm even if nobody sleeps there. With furnaces coming back on for the season, this is a good week to check yours.
Key takeaways
- A CO alarm is required beside every sleeping area.
- A CO alarm is now also required on every storey, including the basement.
- The rules apply to existing homes, not only new builds.
- Homeowners are responsible in owner-occupied homes and landlords in rentals.
- Alarms expire, usually after seven to ten years.
Does the rule apply to your bungalow?
It applies if your home has any of the following:
- A gas, propane, oil or wood furnace, boiler, water heater, stove or dryer.
- A wood or gas fireplace.
- An attached garage.
- Heated air supplied from a fuel-burning appliance located outside the home, such as in a shed.
That covers the large majority of Ontario bungalows. An all-electric home with no fireplace and no attached garage is the main exception.
Where alarms go in a typical bungalow
| Location | Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hallway outside the bedrooms | Yes | One alarm can serve bedrooms that share a hall |
| Main floor, if bedrooms are in separate wings | Yes, beside each sleeping area | Common in ranch-style layouts |
| Basement | Yes | New requirement for storeys without bedrooms |
| Basement bedroom or suite | Yes, beside the sleeping area | A suite needs its own protection |
| Loft level of a bungaloft | Yes | Counts as a storey |
In a raised bungalow, backsplit or sidesplit, check with your local fire department about how levels are counted. The safe approach is an alarm on each level.
Choosing and installing alarms
- Look for certification from CSA, ULC or ETL on the package.
- Hardwired, battery and plug-in models are all acceptable. Combination smoke and CO alarms are allowed.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for height and placement.
- Keep alarms away from bathrooms, cooking appliances and vents that can cause false alarms.
Bungalow tip: In a bungalow the furnace and water heater usually sit directly below the bedrooms. Put the basement alarm in the open area outside the furnace room, not inside it, so it is heard upstairs.
A five-minute fall checklist
- Press the test button on every smoke and CO alarm.
- Check the expiry date printed on the back or side of each one.
- Replace batteries in battery-powered units.
- Confirm there is an alarm on each level, including the basement.
- Book a furnace service if it has been more than a year. See our HVAC maintenance tips.
If you rent out a basement suite
Landlords must install and maintain CO alarms in rental units, test them regularly and give tenants the maintenance instructions. Tenants must not disable them. Keep a simple log of test dates. Fire officials can lay charges for missing or non-working alarms.
Buying or selling a bungalow
Buyers should count alarms during the viewing and check their age. Sellers can avoid an easy inspection note by installing compliant alarms before listing. It is one of the cheapest fixes on any pre-listing list.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do if the CO alarm sounds?
Get everyone outside into fresh air, then call 911 or your local emergency number. Do not go back in until responders say it is safe.
Do I need a CO alarm if my bungalow is all electric?
Not if there is no fuel-burning appliance, no fireplace and no attached garage. Many owners install one anyway.
How many alarms does a standard bungalow need?
Most need at least two: one outside the bedrooms and one in the basement. Larger or split layouts need more.
Keep your home on a schedule
Add alarm checks to your regular routine with our bungalow maintenance checklist.
