Fire prevention at home

Fire prevention at home comes down to three devices: the smoke alarm, the carbon monoxide alarm and the fire extinguisher. This page sets out what the rules require in Quebec, what official sources recommend, and links to the complete guide for each.

Checked on October 14, 2026.

The three devices in the home

The smoke alarm. At least one per storey, basement included, a test every month and a replacement after 10 years. Smoke detector: what the law requires in Quebec
The carbon monoxide alarm. Carbon monoxide cannot be seen or smelled: only an alarm detects it. Carbon monoxide detector: where it is mandatory and what to do when it goes off
The fire extinguisher. For a small fire only, once the evacuation has started. Fire extinguisher: which one to choose for the home, where to put it and when to refill it

What the law requires

The Safety Code (Code de sécurité) of the Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ), Quebec's building authority (chapter B-1.1, r. 3), governs alarms. Section 353 requires a smoke alarm in every dwelling, on every storey, and between the bedrooms and the rest of the storey. Section 358 requires every smoke alarm to be replaced 10 years after the date of manufacture shown on the casing. Without a date, it must be replaced without delay.

Section 359 requires a carbon monoxide alarm in a dwelling that contains a fuel-burning appliance or a direct access to an indoor parking garage. Municipalities can go further: in Montreal, residential buildings built before 1985 must have smoke alarms with a 10-year non-removable lithium battery.

Device	What is required or recommended	Lifespan
Smoke alarm	Required on every storey (Safety Code, s. 353)	Replacement 10 years after manufacture (s. 358)
Carbon monoxide alarm	Required with a fuel-burning appliance or an attached garage (s. 359)	According to the manufacturer
Portable fire extinguisher	Recommended by Québec.ca, minimum rating 2A 10B C	12 years for a disposable model (Québec.ca)

Where to put each device

The smoke alarm goes on every storey, between the bedrooms and the rest of the storey. The carbon monoxide alarm goes near the bedrooms and away from cooking appliances, according to Québec.ca. The fire extinguisher is installed at least 10 centimetres off the floor and no more than 1.5 metres high, according to the Québec.ca page on fire extinguishers.

When a device goes off or a fire breaks out

When the smoke alarm goes off and there is a fire, Québec.ca asks you to get out and call 9-1-1 from outside. When the carbon monoxide alarm goes off, Québec.ca asks you to leave the premises, then call 9-1-1 or the Centre antipoison du Québec (Quebec Poison Control Centre) at 1 800 463-5060. The fire extinguisher is used only if the fire is no bigger than a wastebasket and your safety is not threatened.

After a fire, reporting to the insurer and the steps of the claim are covered in loss: definition, reporting and steps, and the cleanup in fire damage restoration.

Frequently asked questions

Are smoke detectors mandatory in Quebec?

Yes. Section 353 of the Safety Code requires a smoke alarm on every storey of a dwelling. Municipal bylaws can add requirements, such as the 10-year lithium battery in Montreal for buildings built before 1985.

Are carbon monoxide detectors mandatory?

Section 359 of the Safety Code requires them in a dwelling that has a fuel-burning appliance or a direct access to an indoor garage. For a house, the municipality's bylaw often spells out the requirement.

What type of fire extinguisher for the home?

Québec.ca recommends a dry chemical fire extinguisher with a minimum rating of 2A 10B C, shown on the label. This rating covers fires in ordinary materials, flammable liquids and electrical equipment.

How long does a smoke alarm last?

Ten years. Section 358 of the Safety Code requires it to be replaced 10 years after the date of manufacture shown on the casing.