On January 1, 2022, the Construction Codes Act and Building Code Regulations came into effect in Saskatchewan replacing the Uniform Building and Accessibility Standards Act and Regulations.
The Building Code Regulations has the following requirements that will come into force on July 1, 2022:
- Every building that contains a residential occupancy is required to have smoke alarms installed inside each bedroom, in the bedroom corridor, and each storey without a bedroom. These smoke alarms are permitted to be battery operated. Ifthe building was constructed before June 6, 1988, then the batteries used for the smoke alarms must be 10-year batteries (see photo attached for example of 10-year battery alarm).
- Every building that contains a residential occupancy is required to have a carbon monoxide alarm installed inside each bedroom ORwithin 5 m (16’) of each bedroom door. These carbon monoxide alarms are permitted to be battery operated. Ifthe building was constructed before October 1, 2009, then the batteries used for the carbon monoxide alarms must be 10-year batteries (see photo attached for example of 10-year battery alarm).
What does this mean for owners?
If your residence is missing smoke and/or carbon monoxide alarms in the locations listed above, then as the owner it is your responsibility to install the missing alarms.
The municipality and building officials, MuniCode Services Ltd., are not required to enter every property to ensure that these alarms are installed. However, when a building official does enter the building for other reasons (building permit related), then due diligence by verifying the installation will be completed.