Business Fire Code

Fire Prevention Officers routinely visit buildings in the City of Brantford to ensure that they are meeting fire and life safety requirements outlined in the Ontario Fire Code. As a commercial property owner, you should be familiar with Part 6 of the Ontario Fire Code that outlines how to complete the proper installation, checking, inspection, testing, maintenance and operation of fire protection equipment and life safety systems. Failure to do so could cost you in Part 1 fines up to $295 or Part 3 fines up to $20,000 per offence. 

Effective January 1, 2026, there will be changes to the Ontario Fire Code. These changes include the installation requirements of carbon monoxide alarms, new fire alarm system standards, and increased accountability for fire safety plans.

 Carbon Monoxide Alarms Updates
  • A CO alarm is now required on every storey of a building.
  • A CO alarm is required next to every sleeping area (i.e., in the hallway outside sleeping rooms).
  • These rules apply to residential and care facilities that have fuel-burning appliances, fireplaces, or an attached garage.
 Fire Alarm System Updates
  • New standards for the inspection, testing, and verification of fire alarm systems are being introduced.
  • A new functional load test is required for standby batteries, replacing the old capacity testing method. All readings must be recorded in official inspection reports.
 Additional Updates
  • There are new requirements for fire safety plans and increased accountability. Improved harmonization with the 2020 NFC on various requirements, including requirements for:
    • flammable and combustible liquids
    • dangerous goods
    • aerosol products
    • combustible dusts, etc.
  • Alignment with some recent changes to the Ontario Building Code, including:
    • new maintenance requirements for mass timber encapsulation materials
    • new testing requirements for integrated life safety and fire protection systems
    • new requirements for certain farm buildings, etc.
  • Strengthened fire safety for existing boarding, lodging, and rooming houses and two-unit residential occupancies. This is achieved through new smoke alarm requirements, as well as new requirements for reduced flame-spread ratings of certain interior wall and ceiling finishes; and
  • Updated references to more current editions of standards, legislation, and other documents.

Fire safety is smart business. That's why Brantford Fire reminds commercial property owners to be familiar with and practice the following fire and life safety system requirements:

Fire Alarm Systems

A Fire Alarm system on a white painted wall

  • Check, Inspect, Test and Maintain Fire Alarm Systems in accordance with CAN/ULC-S536-04, “Inspection and Testing of Fire Alarm Systems”
  • Must be kept in operating condition at all times and free from any 'trouble indications'
  • Access to all components must be kept unobstructed
  • No components disconnected or bypassed
Sprinkler Systems 

A red piped sprinkler system hanging from the ceiling of a building

  • Check, Inspect, Test and Maintain Sprinkler Systems in accordance with the Ontario Fire Code or  NFPA 25, “Standard for the Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems”
  • Must be kept in operating condition at all times
  • Objects cannot be placed in such a way that they interfere with the effectiveness of water discharged from sprinklers
  • Siamese connection clearly identified and free from obstructions
Emergency Lighting & Exit Signage

An exit sign lit up in a dark hallway

  • Inspect, Test and Maintain in accordance with the Ontario Fire Code
  • Shall be in operating condition at all times
  • Enough light to illuminate the exit path out of the building during power failure 
Portable Fire Extinguishers 

A fire extinguisher in a glass case on a wall

  • Inspect, Test and Maintain Sprinkler Systems in accordance with the Ontario Fire Code or with NFPA 10, “Portable Fire Extinguishers”
  • Shall be operational and fully charged
  • Easily seen and unobstructed at all times
  • Shall be provided to protect every building  and hazardous process

Fire and life safety systems must be inspected annually to confirm that they are in operating condition. Property owners should keep detailed records regarding the installation, testing and maintenance of all the fire and life safety systems in your building.

Questions? Please reach out to the Fire Prevention Division at fire@brantford.ca or by calling 519-752-0540.