Fire Safety and Prevention

Fire Safety Inspections

Occupancy Inspections

Fire Code Inspections are conducted in accordance with the provisions as set out in the Fire Protection and Prevention Act. A Fire Code inspection can be initiated by a "formal request" by an owner of a property or by a Fire Prevention Officer. At the time of the inspection the property owner will be directed by the Fire Prevention Officer to take appropriate measures as required to correct violations of the fire code. Directions in the form of Fire Safety Inspection Report, Inspection Order, or other written recommendations will be provided to detail daily, weekly, monthly, and annual fire provisions and equipment maintenance requirements.

Through a cooperative partnership, the fire department and property owners can also work effectively together to resolve any compliance issue. It should be noted that property owners who do not comply with the provisions of the Ontario Fire Code are subject to fines, imprisonment, or both.

Inspections for License Application

Property owners requesting inspections for the issuance of business license, liquor license, real estate, day care inspection, or other property inquiries may submit a letter of "formal request" to the department's administrative coordinator. Please refer to our user fee table for the appropriate fee.

Fire safety brochures

• Halton Hills Community Safety Guide
• Halton Region Emergency Guide
• Apartment Fire Safety Brochure
• Safe Heating Brochure
• Family Fireworks Safety Guide
• Public Fire & Life Safety
• Risk Watch brochure

Working smoke alarms save lives

No matter what type of smoke alarm you purchase, make sure it is approved by an independent testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories Canada (ULC) or Canadian Standards Association (CSA).

• All Ontario single family, semi-detached and town homes, whether owner occupied or rented, must have a working smoke alarm on every level, and outside all sleeping areas.
• If anyone in the household sleeps with the bedroom door closed, install an alarm inside their bedroom.

Remember! Your vacation trailer or cottage needs a smoke alarm too!

Put them up

Installing a smoke alarm is simple. A screwdriver and a drill are all you need to install a battery-operated smoke alarm. For smoke alarms that plug into an electrical outlet, be certain to use a restraining device so the plug can't be accidentally jarred loose. Smoke alarms can also be hardwired directly into your home's electrical system. A qualified electrician should do Hardwire installations. Never connect a smoke alarm to a circuit that can be turned off by a wall switch.

Always follow the manufacturer's installation instructions and be sure your smoke alarms are held securely in place. Because smoke rises, smoke alarms should be mounted high on a wall or on the ceiling.

• Wall mounted smoke alarms should be installed so the top is 10 to 30 centimetres from the ceiling.
• Ceiling-mounted units should be installed at least 10 centimetres from any wall.
• If a room has a pitched ceiling, mount the smoke alarm at or near the ceiling's highest point.
• In stairways with no doors at the top or bottom, position smoke alarms in the path smoke would follow up the stairwell.
• Mount smoke alarms at the bottom of closed stairways, such as those leading to a basement. Dead air trapped near the door at the top of a stairway could prevent smoke from reaching a smoke alarm located at the top.
• Don't install a smoke alarm too close to windows, doors or forced air registers, where drafts could interfere with the smoke alarm's operation.
• If you have questions about the best places to install smoke alarms, contact the Public Education Division.

Batteries

• Never remove the batteries from smoke alarms. If nuisance alarms are a problem, try moving the alarm to another location or purchase an alarm with a “hush feature” that temporarily silences the alarm.
• Change the batteries when you change the time on your clocks.
• Replace smoke alarms every ten years.

Testing

Test your smoke detectors at least once a month, following the manufacturer's instructions. Both battery-operated and electric smoke alarms become less effective with age. If your smoke alarm does not respond to the recommended test procedure (usually pressing a "test" button), change its batteries. If it still does not perform, replace it.

Cleaning

Follow the manufacturer's instructions for cleaning your smoke alarms. Cobwebs and dust can generally be removed using a vacuum cleaner attachment. If you are doing work around a smoke alarm that could send dust into the air, cover the smoke alarm (don't forget to remove the cover when you're through). Never paint any part of a smoke alarm.

Detect and protect

Once your smoke alarms are up and running, make sure everyone in the household is familiar with the sound of the alarms and that they can be heard behind closed bedroom doors.
Plan escape routes and review them with all family members. Have at least two ways to get out of every room in your home. Agree on a meeting place outside your home where everyone can gather after they escape. Practice your escape. When an alarm sounds, leave immediately. Go directly to your outside meeting place. Call the 911 and ask for the fire department.

Get out and stay out. Never return to a burning building.

Home safe

In-home consultation is available to residents to help address and solve problems relating to smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, fire escape planning and general fire prevention measures. All members of the family are encouraged to be a part of this information sharing process.

Contact the HHFD Public Education Division.

Car seats

Halton Hills residents may make an appointment to have their child's car seat inspected by a trained car seat technician. Car seats must be installed prior to the inspection and it is beneficial to have both the car seat manual and the vehicle manual with you at the time of inspection.

It is important to be aware that staff inspecting your child's car seat may have to leave to respond to an emergency before your child's car seat inspection is complete. It is recommended that if you bring your child, you have other means to get them home in the situation that your inspection is not complete.

Appointments can be made by contacting Firefighter Michael Chorley at 905-873-2600, ext. 2132. For further information, please go to the Halton Partners for Car Seat Safety website.