What is Project Zero?
Toronto Fire Chief Bill Stewart has launched a new public education program aimed at reducing residential fire deaths to zero. Project Zero is the first program of its kind in the City of Toronto. Fire Inspectors will go door to door in the community ensuring that there are working smoke alarms on every storey and at least one carbon monoxide alarm in every home visited, and that homeowners are provided with the necessary information to help keep their homes and families safe. No one should die ever in a home fire.

View Project Zero video (WMV 1MB)

Project Zero (Audio only) (MP3 590KB)

Smoke Alarms
In Ontario, it is the Law that every dwelling unit must have a properly maintained smoke alarm installed on every level of the home and near all sleeping areas. Smoke alarms, when properly installed and maintained, provide the early warning that is needed to safely escape from a house fire. Where homeowners have already complied with the law by installing smoke alarms on every storey of their home, they will be tested to ensure they are working properly. Those who have not installed smoke alarms will be issued a notice of violation that must be complied with within seven days. To ensure the home occupants are protected during that time Fire Services staff will install smoke alarms. Inspectors will also check for carbon monoxide alarms - one alarm must be provided in all homes with fuel burning appliances. Where there is no carbon monoxide alarm, a combination carbon monoxide/smoke alarm will be installed on the ceiling.

Carbon Monoxide
Toronto is one of the few Cities in Ontario that has a by-law that requires all homes, where there is a fuel fired appliance, to have at least one carbon monoxide alarm installed. Carbon monoxide is a toxic, odourless gas that is a by-product of incomplete combustion of many types of common fuels. Carbon monoxide alarms are recommended to protect against the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Inspections
Teams of Fire Inspectors, who will be in uniform and carry proper identification, will first begin inspections in the area bounded by Dovercourt Rd. and Jefferson Ave. to the east, Bloor St. W. to the north, Colborne Lodge Rd. to the west, and Lakeshore Blvd. to the south; this area was identified as having the most number of fires, fire deaths and fire related injuries in 2008. Seventeen people died in fires in Toronto in 2008; 12 of those deaths were in residential occupancies.

The inspection staff will also stress the need for home escape planning and practice. It is common for children and seniors to be disoriented when they hear an alarm sounding in the middle of the night. Escape planning and practice will reduce this problem and ensure they are better prepared when a fire happens. The inspectors will provide materials to assist residents in the escape plan process.

View the step by step Project Zero inspection (PDF).

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Partnership with Enbridge Gas Distribution
Project Zero is supported by Enbridge Gas Distribution, which has donated $20,000 towards the purchase of 550 combination carbon monoxide/ smoke alarms. Enbridge regularly educates customers about the importance of properly maintaining all fuel burning-equipment to prevent carbon monoxide buildup and about installing a carbon monoxide alarm as a second line of defense. Through Project Zero, Enbridge is building on that message by helping Toronto Fire Services keep people safe.

Toronto Fire Services in conjunction with Enbridge Gas and support of the Ontario Fire Marshall publicly announces the launch of it's newest fire prevention program Project Zero.
View the launch video.

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Poster: Be Safe. Install a Carbon Monoxide Alarm!

For more information on Safety and Fire Prevention, please visit:

Safety and fire prevention

Smoke Alarm brochure

Carbon monoxide brochure

In case of fire or an emergency, call 9-1-1.