Fire Code: Do You Have or Intend to Have an Apartment for Rent Within Your Home?

Article by Gil Strachan

The Fire Code has been amended to accomodate recent changes to the Municipal Act and the Planning Act, allowing one apartment in most detached, semi-detached and row houses, as long as minimum health and safety standards can be met. The Fire Code amendments deal with conformance of existing buildings. For new construction, see the Building Code.

  • Fire Code, Section 9.8, Two Residential Occupancies, became law on July 14, 1994.

  • For additional information contact your local fire department or the regional Office of the Fire Marshall, at the phone number listed under Ministry of the Solicitor General and Correctional Services, in the Blue Pages of your telephone directory. Ref: Ont. Regulation 385/94.

    IT IS THE OWNER'S RESPONSIBILITY TO COMPLY WITH THIS REGULATION.

  • To comply with this fire safety regulation for existing houses with two existing dwelling units, the owner must satisfy certain minimum requirements for fire separations, means of escape, smoke alarms, and electrical safety.

  • Each dwelling unit must be provided with smoke alarms effective August 13, 1994. Battery operated smoke alarms satisfy this requirement. Owners are required to maintain smoke alarms in operating condition.

  • Each house containing two dwelling units must be inspected by Ontario Hydro and all identified hazards must be corrected by July 14, 1996.

  • The requirement for fire separations and means of escape must be met by July 14, 1996.

    Bringing existing houses into compliance with this regulation may require repairs or alterations for which a building permit is needed under the Building Code Act.

    For additional information, or a copy of Ontario Regulation 385/94, please contact your local fire department or the regional Office of the Fire Marshall, at the phone number listed under Ministry of the Solicitor General and Correctional Services, in the Blue Pages of your telephone directory.

    Ontario Fire Marshall's Office: www.ofm.gov.on.ca

    This article is intended for discussion purposes only and not as a code interpretation. For specific articles and conformances, please consult the Ontario Fire Code, Retrofit Section 9.8 and/or the Ontario Building Code

    Copyright Gil Strachan - All rights reserved.

    Gil Strachan is a professional home inspector, representing Electrospec Home Inspection Services in east-central Ontario, Canada since 1994. Visit http://www.allaroundthehouse.com to learn more about home inspections.

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