The City of Humboldt will be enforcing new regulations regarding mandatory smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in residential buildings come July 1, 2022. 

On January 1, 2022, the Construction Codes Act and Building Code Regulations came into effect in Saskatchewan replacing the Uniform Building and Accessibility Standards Act and Regulations (UBAS Act and Regs). 

The Building Code Regulations are:

Every building that contains a residential occupancy is required to have:

• A smoke alarm installed inside each bedroom, in the bedroom corridor, and on each storey without a bedroom. (Smoke alarms are permitted to be battery operated. If the building was constructed before June 6, 1988, then the batteries used for the smoke alarms must be 10-year batteries.)

• A carbon monoxide alarm installed inside each bedroom OR within 5 m (16’) of each bedroom door. (Carbon monoxide alarms are permitted to be battery operated. If the building was constructed before October 1, 2009, then the batteries used for the carbon monoxide alarms must be 10-year batteries.)

“Some homes in Humboldt may not have functioning carbon monoxide alarms,” says Mike Kwasnica, Fire Chief of the Humboldt Fire Department. “Often called the invisible killer, CO is an odorless, colorless gas created when fuels burn incompletely. We want all residents to understand the requirements for CO alarms.” 

Humboldt residents with questions or concerns regarding smoke or carbon monoxide alarm requirements can contact the Humboldt Fire Department at t (306) 682-2525 Ext 324.