Fire Code for Business Owners and Operators

The following code references are from Div. B Part 6 Fire Protection Equipment of the Ontario Fire Code. Section 6.2 speaks specifically about portable fire extinguishers. Refer to your lease agreement or speak with your property manager or landlord to determine if fire extinguishers in your unit are your responsibility to maintain.

Annual fire extinguisher inspections are required to be completed by a qualified fire protection contractor.

Ref. Ontario Fire Code for portable fire extinguishers. Subsection 6.2.7.

6.2.7.2. Portable extinguishers shall be inspected monthly. 

Defective extinguishers

6.2.7.3. Portable extinguishers having defects shall be repaired and, if necessary, recharged to ensure the extinguishers will operate effectively and safely.

6.2.7.4. (1) Each portable extinguisher shall have a tag securely attached to it showing the maintenance or recharge date, the servicing agency and the signature of the person who performed the service.

(2) Sentence (1) does not apply where other approved records are maintained that show the maintenance or recharge date, the servicing agency and the signature of the person who performed the service.

Monthly inspection includes extinguisher is in designated place, unobstructed, safety pin is secure, no physical damage to the extinguisher and the pressure gauge indicates charged.

The following code references are from Div. B Part 2 Fire Safety of the Ontario Fire Code. Article 2.7.3.3 refers to how emergency lights are to be checked, inspected and tested.

Refer to your lease agreement or speak with your property manager or landlord to determine if emergency lights in your unit are your responsibility to maintain.

Emergency lights are required to be tested monthly. To test the emergency light, either flip off the breaker controlling the power to the units or press the test button on the emergency light. These monthly tests can be documented in a spreadsheet, a fire logbook or a test record provided on this page. Monthly emergency light tests can either be completed by trained in-house staff or by a fire protection contractor.

Annual emergency light inspections are required to be completed by a qualified fire protection contractor.

Ref. Ontario Fire Code for Emergency lighting monthly testing.

Sentence 2.7.3.3.(3)

2.7.3.3 (3) Emergency lighting unit equipment shall be tested 

1. monthly to ensure that the emergency lights will function upon failure of the primary power supply, and
2. annually to ensure that the unit will provide emergency lighting for a duration equal to the design criteria under simulated power failure conditions.

Monthly test and inspection includes emergency lighting system to be tested for 30 seconds to ensure the units will operate properly.

The following code references are from Div. B Part 2 Fire Safety of the Ontario Fire Code. Article 2.7.3.1 speaks about how exit signs are to be checked. Refer to your lease agreement or speak with your property manager or landlord to determine if exit signs in your unit are your responsibility to maintain.

Annual exit sign inspections are required to be completed by a qualified fire protection contractor. Monthly exit sign checks can either be completed by trained in-house staff or by a fire protection contractor

Ref. Ontario Fire Code for Exit signs Subsection 2.7.3.
2.7.3.1. Required exit signs shall be clearly visible and maintained in a clean and legible condition.
2.7.3.2. (1) Exit signs shall be illuminated externally or internally, as appropriate for the sign’s design, while the building is occupied.
Monthly inspection includes visually check exit signs to ensure the units are illuminated as intended.

Using extension cords as permanent wiring can be dangerous because extension cords are intended for short term use. Extension cords are meant for providing temporary power to power tools or temporary lighting for projects.

Damaged wiring can also present a fire hazard. If wires are frayed or cut, they can burn material from the exposed wire and cause a fire. Its important to check and make sure electrical wiring isn’t damaged.

Power bars can be used to power multiple devices if the power bar is properly designed. Make sure your power bars are approved by either Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC) or by Canadian Standards Association (CSA). There will be a sticker on the power bar to show it’s a device that has been approved. Power bars with surge protectors also provide added protection against surges of electricity passing through electrical equipment.

Ref. Ontario Fire Code for Electrical wiring Subsection 2.4.6.1.

2.4.6.1. Temporary electrical wiring shall not be used where it presents a fire hazard.

Large appliances shall not be powered by electrical cords, they must be plugged directly into an outlet.

• Heaters shall only be used outdoors.
• Store propane outdoors and three metres (10 feet) away from building openings (doors and windows).
• Check piping for leaks and repair as needed.
• Place heaters on a stable surface. Never leave the device unattended.
• Keep combustible items away from heaters

For additional information on propane heaters see do's and don'ts and the patio heater safety checklist.

Note: the use of propane and propane heaters is regulated by the TSSA (Technical Safety Standards Association). Use of these devices shall follow TSSA regulations. Wood burning heaters are not permitted on outdoor patios.

Ref. Ontario Fire Codes, accumulation of combustible materials Sentence 2.4.1.1.(2). Maintenance and lighting for exits as per Sentence 2.7.1.7.(1). Requirements for locking, latching and fastening devices Clause 2.7.2.2.(1)(a).

2.4.1.1.(2) Combustible materials shall not be accumulated in any part of an elevator shaft, ventilation shaft, means of egress, service room or service space, unless the location, room or space is designed for those materials.

2.7.1.7. (1) Means of egress shall be maintained in good repair and free of obstructions.

2.7.2.2. (1) Subject to sentences (2) and (3), and unless otherwise approved, locking, latching and other fastening devices shall be such that a door can be readily opened from the inside with no more than one releasing operation and without requiring keys, special devices or specialized knowledge of the door opening mechanism on 

(a) every required exit door

As per Div. B 2.7.2.2.(1)(a) Exit doors are permitted to have only one locking device.

As per Div. B 2.7.2.2.(1)(a) Exit doors are permitted to have only one locking device.

A fire alarm annual inspection is to be completed by a qualified fire alarm technician.

Monthly fire alarm tests can either be completed by trained in-house staff or by a qualified fire alarm technician.
Refer to your lease agreement or speak with your property manager or landlord to determine if the fire alarm system is your responsibility to maintain.

If you are responsible for maintaining a fire alarm system, the following is required:

• Annual inspection records with no deficiencies are to be on site and readily available upon request from the Chief Fire Official.
• Fire alarm pull stations, heat detectors and smoke detectors are to be unobstructed at all times.
• The fire alarm panel must be clear at all times.
• Ensure fire alarm bells and horns aren’t covered, painted or damaged.
• Ensure monthly and annual inspections are completed

Clear means no yellow trouble or supervisory lights and no red alarm lights present on the fire alarm panel. The only light that should be on is the green A/C or power light.

If you don’t own the fire alarm system but are using a unit that has fire alarm devices in it, the following is required:

• Fire alarm pull stations, heat detectors and smoke detectors are to be unobstructed at all times.
• Ensure fire alarm bells and horns aren’t covered, painted or damaged.

Ref. Ontario Fire Codes: Monitoring Article 6.3.1.4.

Monitoring

6.3.1.4. Fire alarm and voice communication systems shall be maintained in operating condition.

A sprinkler system annual inspection is to be completed by a qualified fire protection company.

Monthly, bi-monthly and semi-annual inspections can be completed by trained in-house staff or by qualified fire protection companies.

Refer to your lease agreement or speak with your property manager or landlord to determine if the sprinkler system is your responsibility to maintain.

If you are responsible for maintaining a sprinkler system, the following is required:

• Annual inspection records with no deficiencies are to be on site and readily available upon request from the Chief Fire Official.
• Ensure supervisory valves are in the open position and are monitored by a fire alarm/security system or locked and chained.
• Ensure sprinkler system pressures are at the appropriate levels.
• Ensure sprinkler heads are not obstructed/blocked or painted.
• Ensure nothing is hanging off sprinkler pipe (i.e. decorations).
• Ensure inspections are completed.

If you don’t own the sprinkler system but are using a unit that has sprinkler system components in it, the following is required:

• Ensure sprinkler heads are not obstructed/blocked or painted.
• Ensure nothing is hanging off sprinkler pipe (i.e. decorations).
• Ensure sprinkler valves are accessible if they are within your unit.

Ref. Ontario Fire Codes: See below for code references from Subsection 6.5.1. General Repair, replacement, alterations, inspection, testing and maintenance

6.5.1.1. (2) Compliance with the inspection, testing and maintenance provisions of NFPA 25, “Standard for the Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Water-based Fire Protection Systems”, for sprinkler systems is deemed to satisfy the requirements of Subsections 6.5.4. to 6.5.6.

6.5.1.2. Sprinkler systems shall be maintained in operating condition.