Sprinklers now mandatory for existing care homes in Ontario

The province of Ontario has become the first province to require that automatic sprinklers be installed in all care homes for fire protection. The Fire Code and Building Code have been amended to effect this change, which applies to all licensed retirement homes and most other private care facilities for seniors and people with disabilities.

Most newly built retirement homes in Ontario have been required to have sprinklers since 1998, but now existing care homes will have up to five years to install sprinklers, However, some treatment facilities and public long-term care homes are allowed an 11 year phase-in period. Self-closing doors are also now required in care homes.

More than 50,000 seniors live in 700 retirement homes in Ontario, and with an ageing population the numbers are set to increase.

Madeleine Meilleur, the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services, said: “This is an issue I have cared deeply about for years, and I am delighted our government is moving forward with the phase-in of mandatory sprinklers for all our retirement and long-term care homes.”