Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms here are Kidde hardwired and combination units, from a 120V smoke alarm with a 10-year sealed battery and talking voice warning at around $145, to a 3-in-1 strobe smoke and CO alarm near $175. Combination smoke and CO voice alarms start around $75, and a kitchen or garage fire extinguisher is about $30. In Ontario, working smoke alarms are required on every storey and outside all sleeping areas, and CO alarms are required adjacent to sleeping areas in homes with a fuel-burning appliance or an attached garage. Sealed 10-year units remove the annual battery change; strobe models serve deaf and hard-of-hearing occupants.
**Where are smoke and CO alarms required in an Ontario home?**
Ontario law requires working smoke alarms on every storey and outside all sleeping areas. Carbon monoxide alarms are required adjacent to sleeping areas in homes with a fuel-burning appliance, a fireplace or an attached garage. Check current Ontario Fire Code requirements for your specific building.
**What is the advantage of a 10-year sealed battery unit?**
The battery is not replaceable and lasts the life of the alarm, which removes the annual battery change and the temptation to pull a chirping battery and leave it out. At the end of ten years the whole unit is replaced.
**Do I need hardwired or battery alarms?**
New construction and major renovations generally require hardwired, interconnected alarms so that all units sound together. Existing homes may permit battery units. The building code requirement depends on the age and scope of work, so confirm with your inspector.
**What does the strobe model do?**
It adds a high-intensity flashing light to the audible alarm so that deaf and hard-of-hearing occupants are alerted. These are commonly specified for accessible dwelling units and for anyone who would not reliably wake to a sounder.
**How long do alarms last?**
Smoke alarms are generally replaced every ten years and CO alarms every seven to ten depending on the model. The manufacture date is printed on the back of the unit. Replace on date, not on whether it still chirps when tested.