Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms: who must install them in Quebec
Who is responsible for installing, maintaining and testing smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in a Quebec dwelling, and what to do when nothing is done.
Who is responsible for installing, maintaining and testing smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in a Quebec dwelling, and what to do when nothing is done.
No alarm is silent
A missing alarm makes no sound and a dead battery looks exactly like a working device, which is why testing has to be scheduled and written down rather than remembered.
Landlord or tenant
The dwelling must be delivered with the required detection devices in working order, and those devices are part of the building. A tenant must test them, replace a battery when the device asks for it, and report in writing any missing, painted or silent alarm. Never remove an alarm to cook or sleep.
Where carbon monoxide comes from
Clogged vents, combustion appliances in a tight room, a generator or a barbecue used indoors: the danger is the exhaust, not the appliance. Headaches, nausea or unusual drowsiness in several occupants at once mean ventilate, get out, then call.
Make the landlord act
A missing device is a defect in the dwelling. Write to the landlord, allow a reasonable delay, keep proof, then use the recourse described in the unhealthy-dwelling process at the Tribunal administratif du logement.