Fire Prevention & Public Education

Inspections are done throughout the year, as well as by complaint (immediate threat to life), or request. 

Request an Inspection.

Grey Highlands Fire, is mandated to respond to complaint and request inspections related to fire safety concerns by the Fire Protection and Prevention Act (FPPA).

Fire Prevention Officers enforce violations found under the Ontario Fire Code. These violations include items such as maintenance of fire safety equipment, blocked exits, breaches or missing fire separations, missing or broken fire doors, severe electrical problems, improperly used or stored flammable liquids or gases, unsafe accumulation of combustible materials, failure to implement a fire safety plan, etc.

A violation of the Ontario Fire Code is a chargeable offence. It is the responsibility of the homeowner, business owner, building owner, etc. to ensure that a building is in compliance with the Ontario Fire Code at all times.

Types of Inspections:

• Complaint: A request for a complaint inspection can be made by any member of the community that has a Fire Code or Life Safety concern. Requester’s information is kept strictly confidential.
• Routine: Vulnerable Occupancies (Nursing homes, Retirement Homes, Group homes and Hospitals) are required to initiate routine annual inspections with the Fire Department. These routine inspections are a requirement of the Ontario Fire Code.
• Request: A request for inspection can be made by any member of the community.

Fire reports may be requested in writing or by submitting a request form by the property owner, insurance company, or solicitor representing the property owner. Fire reports are subject to a fee; Schedule of Fees and Charges By-Law.

All third party requests are handled by adherence to the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. For information on submitting a request please see our Freedom of Information page.     

Book a tour at one of our Fire Stations with your family, school or community group in order to meet your local Firefighters and learn about fire prevention and life safety. Fire Station tours are an excellent opportunity to see modern fire fighting equipment, fire apparatus, and for hands on learning.

Please note: the Fire Station you are visiting is operational and the first priority is emergency response. Please limit groups to no more than 30 people (including children and adults) and ensure adequate adult supervision is maintained at all times. Please note any accessibility requirements at the time of booking.

Fire Station tours are conducted free of charge on a first come first serve basis. 

Check out our virtual Fire Station Tour.

Are you interested in fire safety? Book a Grey Highlands Fire Public Educator to visit your school, educational group, community group, business or resident's association in Municipality of Grey Highlands to learn about fire prevention and life safety. 

Effective March 1, 2006 all homes in Ontario are required to have a working smoke alarm on
every story and outside all sleeping areas. Failure to install, maintain, or intentionally disabling a smoke alarm is against the law and subject to a $360 fine.

Smoke alarms expire after 10 years. If your alarm is older than 10 years old it must be replaced. Check for a date of manufacture or an expiry date on the back of the alarm. If you are replacing a hardwired alarm, you must replace it with another hardwired alarm.

Smoke alarm fact-sheet.

In December 2013 the Hawkins-Gignac Act (Bill 77) passed requiring Ontario residences with an attached garage or a fuel burning appliance to have a working carbon monoxide alarm. Carbon monoxide alarms should be installed outside all sleeping areas. This Act amended the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997 (FPPA) to allow the regulation of CO alarms through amendments to the Ontario Fire Code. The Act also proclaims the week beginning November 1 as Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week.

Carbon monoxide alarms should be replaced every 5 to 7 years or according to the expiry date on the back of the alarm. For more information on carbon monoxide. 

Landlords are responsible to ensure their tenants smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are in working order. It is recommended that landlords regularly inspect their tenant's alarms and document these inspections.

Tenants are responsible to notify their landlord in the event their alarm is faulty, batteries need replacing, or the alarm is no longer operating. Tenants who intentionally disable an alarm or fail to notify their landlord that their alarm is not operating are subject to a $360 fine (per alarm).

If you're a landlord and would like to schedule an inspection of your rental property, or require more information on your responsibilities under the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997, S.O, 1997 please contact Grey Highlands Fire.

Fire extinguishers can save lives and property by extinguishing a small fire or containing it until the fire department arrives. However, fire extinguishers have limitations. Since fire grows and spreads so rapidly, early detection (working smoke alarms) and home escape planning are key. For more information on Fire Extinguishers.

Did you know: Grey Highlands Fire offers Fire Extinguisher Training for individuals and groups? Contact fireadmin@greyhighlands.ca to book!