How Halifax is built
- Before 1961 22%
- 1961–1990 42%
- 1991–2000 14%
- 2001 or later 22%
The rule in Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia's building code requires CO alarms in new homes with a fuel-burning appliance or attached garage, but older homes don't have to be retrofitted; the province recommends them.
CO sources in Halifax homes
In the Halifax area, the main heating energy is oil for 23% of households (Statistics Canada, 2023). Any fuel-burning appliance, fireplace or attached garage is a potential CO source.
Single-detached houses make up 48% of Halifax'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 Halifax
Carbon monoxide testing in Halifax: common questions
Are carbon monoxide alarms mandatory in Halifax?
Nova Scotia's building code requires CO alarms in new homes with a fuel-burning appliance or attached garage, but older homes don't have to be retrofitted; the province recommends them.
Where should CO alarms go?
Outside every sleeping area and on every storey, following the manufacturer's instructions. Some rules also call for one near a fuel-burning appliance or the door from an attached garage.
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.