How Edmonton is built
- Before 1961 15%
- 1961–1990 37%
- 1991–2000 10%
- 2001 or later 39%
The rule in Alberta
Alberta requires CO alarms in new homes with a fuel-burning appliance or attached garage; for existing homes the province calls them highly recommended rather than mandatory.
Where CO alarms go: installation rules in Alberta
What the rules say about installing alarms:
- Required in new homes with a fuel-burning appliance or an attached garage; for existing homes the province calls them highly recommended.
- Alberta's fire code requires CO alarms that are installed to be inspected, tested and maintained following the manufacturer's instructions.
- For new houses, the National Building Code 2020 (Article 9.32.3.9) requires a CO alarm inside each bedroom or within 5 m outside each bedroom door when the home has a fuel-burning appliance or an attached garage, an alarm in any room with a solid-fuel-burning appliance (on or near the ceiling unless the maker's instructions say otherwise), and interconnected alarms in a house with a secondary suite.
CO sources in Edmonton homes
In the Edmonton area, the main heating energy is natural gas for 74% of households (Statistics Canada, 2023). Any fuel-burning appliance, fireplace or attached garage is a potential CO source.
Single-detached houses make up 50% of Edmonton's households; many have an attached garage, another reason to put an alarm near the door into the house.
What a CO check involves
- Alarms next to sleeping areas and on every storey, tested monthly and replaced by their end-of-life date (usually 7 to 10 years).
- Annual service of fuel-burning appliances by a licensed technician.
- A combustion spillage test during an energy evaluation, which catches a venting problem before it produces CO.
Our carbon monoxide guide · Combustion safety testing in Edmonton
Carbon monoxide testing in Edmonton: common questions
Are carbon monoxide alarms mandatory in Edmonton?
Alberta requires CO alarms in new homes with a fuel-burning appliance or attached garage; for existing homes the province calls them highly recommended rather than mandatory.
Where should CO alarms go in Alberta?
Required in new homes with a fuel-burning appliance or an attached garage; for existing homes the province calls them highly recommended. Alberta's fire code requires CO alarms that are installed to be inspected, tested and maintained following the manufacturer's instructions. For new houses, the National Building Code 2020 (Article 9.32.3.9) requires a CO alarm inside each bedroom or within 5 m outside each bedroom door when the home has a fuel-burning appliance or an attached garage, an alarm in any room with a solid-fuel-burning appliance (on or near the ceiling unless the maker's instructions say otherwise), and interconnected alarms in a house with a secondary suite.
How long do CO alarms last?
Most have an end-of-life date of 7 to 10 years printed on the unit; replace them by then even if they still beep when tested.