Vancouver requires carbon monoxide alarms, sets fines for unsafe behaviours
VANCOUVER — The City of Vancouver has tightened its fire bylaw in an effort to keep residents safe from threats ranging from carbon monoxide to grass fires.
Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services Capt. Jonathan Gormick says Vancouver is now the third jurisdiction in Canada to make carbon monoxide alarms mandatory in all residential buildings, including single-family homes.
The alarms can be hard-wired, electrical or battery operated, and Gormick says the only exceptions are homes without an attached garage or homes that don’t have fuel-fired appliances, such as a gas stove or water heater.
New fines have also been imposed in hopes of curbing behaviours that Gormick says have recently led to fires, fire damage, and unnecessary use of city resources.