How Regina is built
- Before 1961 22%
- 1961–1990 48%
- 1991–2000 6%
- 2001 or later 24%
The rule in Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan requires CO alarms in all residential buildings regardless of age (enforced since July 1, 2022), and from November 1, 2026, 'Henry's Law' requires one in every residential suite, including secondary suites.
Where CO alarms go: installation rules in Saskatchewan
What the rules say about installing alarms:
- Required in all residential buildings, whatever their age, that contain a fuel-burning appliance, an attached garage or more than one suite (enforced since July 1, 2022).
- In a house, put an alarm inside each bedroom or within 5 m outside each bedroom door, plus one in any room with a solid-fuel-burning appliance such as a wood stove.
- From November 1, 2026, Henry's Law requires a CO alarm in every residential suite, including houses with secondary suites.
- 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 Regina homes
In the Regina area, the main heating energy is natural gas for 70% of households (Statistics Canada, 2023). Any fuel-burning appliance, fireplace or attached garage is a potential CO source.
Single-detached houses make up 63% of Regina'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 Regina
Carbon monoxide testing in Regina: common questions
Are carbon monoxide alarms mandatory in Regina?
Saskatchewan requires CO alarms in all residential buildings regardless of age (enforced since July 1, 2022), and from November 1, 2026, 'Henry's Law' requires one in every residential suite, including secondary suites.
Where should CO alarms go in Saskatchewan?
Required in all residential buildings, whatever their age, that contain a fuel-burning appliance, an attached garage or more than one suite (enforced since July 1, 2022). In a house, put an alarm inside each bedroom or within 5 m outside each bedroom door, plus one in any room with a solid-fuel-burning appliance such as a wood stove. 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.