Montréal, 20 June 2016 - The Service de sécurité incendie de Montréal’s smoke alarm brigade is back in force this year, with close to 45 brigadiers, all fire safety students. The brigade has a mission to promote the importance of having a smoke detector and ensuring its proper function. Starting today and continuing until September 15, 2016, smoke alarm brigadiers will visit citizens in numerous sectors within the agglomeration of Montréal.

For Ms. Anie Samson, vice-president of the executive committee responsible for public security and services to citizens, the smoke detector remains the most effective tool for quickly alerting occupants in case of fire. “The smoke detector is indispensable and every home should have one. It’s inexpensive and effective, and it saves lives,” said Ms. Samson. SIM director François Massé echoed those words. “The smoke detector is the best means to ensure that you and your loved ones are protected at all times. Everyone has a responsibility to make sure their smoke detector works properly by checking the batteries every month and changing them as required,” he added.

In 2015, smoke alarm brigadiers knocked on doors at more than 95,000 homes, and almost 34,000 residents were home and accepted the inspection. In total, more than 5,000 smoke detectors with a lithium battery were given out and installed. The smoke alarm brigade supports fire prevention efforts carried out by the department’s firefighters and fire prevention officers.

Signature of a lease: new section on smoke detectors
July 1 is fast approaching, and several residents of the agglomeration of Montréal will be renewing or signing new leases. A province-wide initiative put forward by the SIM in 2011 as part of an inquiry resulted in a passage on smoke detectors being added to the lease agreement form issued by the Régie du logement du Québec. Since 2015, lessors and tenants have been asked to comply with the by-law concerning the presence and proper function of smoke detectors. This awareness initiative promotes accountability among owners and tenants insofar as their respective roles in relation to smoke detectors are concerned.

A shared responsibility
Under the By-law concerning the Service de sécurité incendie de Montréal, effective across Island of Montréal territory, having an operating smoke detector on each floor of a residential unit is now a mandatory minimum requirement. 
• Owners are required to install smoke detectors on each floor of a residential unit and to replace them no more than 10 years after their manufacturing date.
• Occupants must ensure that smoke detectors are properly maintained, including by replacing the batteries.

For more on the smoke detectors, the obligation to have one, and the bylaw in force, visit the SIM website.