Who enforces the Ontario Fire Code?

Municipal fire departments do most local enforcement. The Office of the Fire Marshal administers the Fire Protection and Prevention Act and the Fire Code and supports fire departments.

How often do I patrol on a fire watch in Ontario?

Your fire department and the building's fire safety plan set the schedule. Windsor, for example, requires a tour of the entire building every hour.

Does the Ontario Fire Code mention fire watches?

The Fire Code requires the fire safety plan to set out alternative measures during a shutdown of fire protection systems. Fire departments such as Windsor's describe a fire watch as the usual measure.

Who must be told when a fire alarm is out of service?

Under Windsor's duties, the fire department and any monitoring company are called, and occupants are told in writing. Follow your fire safety plan and your fire department's rules.

Is the certificate accredited or officially recognised?

No. It is a private certificate of completion for knowledge only. It is not recognised, accredited or approved by any government, licensing body, regulator or educational institution, and it does not replace any licence, certification or training required by law.

Ontario Fire Watch Course 2026

Question 1 of 25

The Ontario Fire Code is a regulation made under which Act?

The Highway Traffic Act
The Occupational Health and Safety Act
The Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997
The Building Code Act, 1992

Show answer

Answer: C. The Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997

The Ontario Fire Code is a regulation under the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997 (FPPA).

Question 2 of 25

What is the regulation number of the Ontario Fire Code?

O. Reg. 213/91
O. Reg. 297/13
O. Reg. 213/07
O. Reg. 363/07

Show answer

Answer: C. O. Reg. 213/07

The Fire Code is O. Reg. 213/07. O. Reg. 213/91 is the construction safety regulation, a common mix-up.

Question 3 of 25

Who carries out most local enforcement of the Ontario Fire Code?

Private security companies
Building tenants
Municipal fire departments
The Ministry of Transportation

Show answer

Answer: C. Municipal fire departments

Municipal fire departments do most local Fire Code enforcement through inspections, orders, tickets and charges.

Question 4 of 25

Which provincial office administers the Fire Protection and Prevention Act and the Fire Code and advises fire departments?

The Office of the Fire Marshal
The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board
ServiceOntario
The Ontario Provincial Police

Show answer

Answer: A. The Office of the Fire Marshal

The Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM) administers the FPPA and Fire Code and supports municipal fire departments.

Question 5 of 25

Under the Ontario Fire Code, who is generally responsible for following the Code in a building?

The owner, unless the Code says otherwise
The chief of the local fire department
The guard posted on the fire watch
The tenants who live on the top floor

Show answer

Answer: A. The owner, unless the Code says otherwise

Division A, Article 1.2.1.1 makes the owner responsible for compliance unless the Code states otherwise.

Question 6 of 25

In Windsor's fire watch duties, what must start when a fire alarm or sprinkler system goes off-line?

A fire watch, after 24 hours
A full evacuation every time
A fire watch, immediately
Nothing until the repair company arrives

Show answer

Answer: C. A fire watch, immediately

Windsor says that if a fire alarm or sprinkler system is off-line for any reason, the owner must start a fire watch immediately.

Question 7 of 25

What must a fire safety plan include about shutdowns of fire protection systems, under clause 2.8.2.1(1)(h)?

The full cost of all repair work
Alternative measures to keep occupants safe
A promise that systems never shut down
The names and phone numbers of all tenants

Show answer

Answer: B. Alternative measures to keep occupants safe

Clause 2.8.2.1(1)(h) requires the fire safety plan to provide alternative measures for occupant safety during any shutdown.

Question 8 of 25

Under Division B, Article 1.1.1.1, what is needed when fire protection systems are tested, repaired or changed?

A written permit from the local police service first
A new building permit from the city for each change
A procedure to notify the fire department and occupants
A signed letter of approval from the insurance company

Show answer

Answer: C. A procedure to notify the fire department and occupants

Article 1.1.1.1 requires a notification procedure for the fire department and occupants during tests, repairs or alterations.

Question 9 of 25

Who reviews and approves a building's fire safety plan in Ontario?

The Chief Fire Official
The insurance company
ServiceOntario
The building's security guard

Show answer

Answer: A. The Chief Fire Official

The Ontario Fire Code requires the Chief Fire Official of the local fire department to review and approve fire safety plans.

Question 10 of 25

Where must an approved fire safety plan be kept?

At the nearest fire hall, not on site
In the building, at an approved location
Online only, with no paper copy
At the owner's home or head office

Show answer

Answer: B. In the building, at an approved location

Sentence 2.8.2.1(3) requires the plan to be kept in the building at an approved location.

Question 11 of 25

How often must a fire safety plan be reviewed under the Ontario Fire Code?

At least every 12 months
Never, once it is approved
Only after a fire happens
At least every 5 years

Show answer

Answer: A. At least every 12 months

Sentence 2.8.2.1(4) requires a review at least every 12 months, or more often to reflect changes.

Question 12 of 25

Where must copies of a building's emergency procedures be posted?

Nowhere; they are confidential
Only in the owner's office
At least one copy on each floor
Only at the front door

Show answer

Answer: C. At least one copy on each floor

Sentence 2.8.2.5(1) requires at least one copy of the emergency procedures to be posted on each floor area.

Question 13 of 25

When must supervisory staff be trained in fire emergency procedures?

Only during a fire drill
Within one year of starting work
Before they get any fire safety duties
Only after a real fire happens

Show answer

Answer: C. Before they get any fire safety duties

Sentence 2.8.1.2(1) says supervisory staff must be trained before they are given fire safety responsibilities.

Question 14 of 25

How often must supervisory staff fire drills be held in a high building in Ontario?

Every 3 months
Every 2 years
Once every 5 years
Only when the fire department asks

Show answer

Answer: A. Every 3 months

Article 2.8.3.2 sets drills at least every 12 months in general and every 3 months in high buildings.

Question 15 of 25

How often do Windsor's fire watch duties say the entire building must be toured?

Once a day
Once per shift
Every hour
Every 4 hours

Show answer

Answer: C. Every hour

Windsor requires a tour of the entire building every hour until the alarm and sprinkler systems are restored.

Question 16 of 25

Under Windsor's duties, what happens if a system stays off-line for more than one day?

The fire watch may stop after 24 hours
The building must close until repairs end
The fire department gets a daily status call
Nothing changes; the rounds simply continue

Show answer

Answer: C. The fire department gets a daily status call

Windsor asks for daily status updates to the fire department when a system is off-line more than one day.

Question 17 of 25

How do Windsor's duties say occupants must be told that a fire watch is in place?

They do not need to be told at all
In writing, with signs posted in common areas
By a text message from the guard on duty
Only if they ask the guard about it

Show answer

Answer: B. In writing, with signs posted in common areas

Occupants must be told in writing, and signs in common areas must show which system is out and the evacuation steps.

Question 18 of 25

A building's fire alarm does not send a signal to the fire department. What must be posted near each manual pull station?

A lasting notice to call the fire department
The fire watch guard's personal phone number
A map of the building's parking lot
A list of all tenants and their unit numbers

Show answer

Answer: A. A lasting notice to call the fire department

Sentence 2.8.2.5(3) requires a durable notice near each pull station telling occupants to call the fire department.

Question 19 of 25

What do Windsor's fire watch duties say about hot work where sprinkler protection is impaired?

It is encouraged, because it helps repairs finish faster
It is allowed whenever a guard is standing and watching
It is not allowed unless approved precautions are in place
It is allowed at night, when the building is empty

Show answer

Answer: C. It is not allowed unless approved precautions are in place

Windsor prohibits hot work such as welding or cutting in areas with impaired sprinklers unless approved precautions are in place.

Question 20 of 25

Under the City of London's long-term care fire watch policy, how often are unprotected areas checked?

Twice per shift
Once every 15 minutes
Once every 8 hours
Once every hour

Show answer

Answer: D. Once every hour

London's policy has the fire watch person check all unprotected areas once every hour, 24 hours a day, until the system is restored.

Question 21 of 25

Under Windsor's fire watch duties, who may staff a fire watch?

Responsible occupants, employees or contracted guards
Only firefighters from the local fire department
Only police officers on paid duty
Only the building owner or property manager

Show answer

Answer: A. Responsible occupants, employees or contracted guards

Windsor says fire watch staff can be a responsible occupant, employee or contracted security guard, with at least one qualified person present whenever the building is occupied.

Question 22 of 25

After an evacuation, when may a fire watch guard go back into the building, under Windsor's duties?

Only with the fire department's permission
After waiting 30 minutes outside the building
As soon as the smoke has cleared away
When the building owner phones to say it is safe

Show answer

Answer: A. Only with the fire department's permission

Windsor's duties say not to re-enter the building without the fire department's permission.

Question 23 of 25

When may a fire watch be cancelled?

At the end of the guard's shift
When occupants stop complaining about it
Only after the system is confirmed fully working
As soon as the repair company arrives

Show answer

Answer: C. Only after the system is confirmed fully working

The watch is cancelled only once the system is confirmed fully operational; then the monitoring company and fire department are told.

Question 24 of 25

How often must every portable fire extinguisher be inspected under the Ontario Fire Code?

Every 5 years
Every month
Only after use
Once a year only

Show answer

Answer: B. Every month

Article 6.2.7.2 requires a monthly inspection of all portable fire extinguishers.

Question 25 of 25

What should each entry in a fire watch log show, according to Windsor's duties?

Nothing; keeping a log is optional
Only the guard's start time for the shift
A drawing of each floor of the building
The time of each round, signed or initialled

Show answer

Answer: D. The time of each round, signed or initialled

Windsor asks staff to record each completed round on the log sheet with the time and to sign or initial each entry.

Ontario Fire Watch Course 2026

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