During the writ period (today until October 28, 2024), this website will be limited to information about emergencies and public safety concerns.
For details on immigration, visit Immigrating and Moving to Saskatchewan.
Get answers with our Frequently Asked Questions.

Pendant la période électorale (aujourd’hui jusqu’au 28 octobre 2024), ce site Web devra limiter ses publications uniquement à des renseignements sur les urgences et à des préoccupations en matière de sécurité publique.
Pour des renseignements sur l’immigration, visitez Immigrer et déménager en Saskatchewan.
Trouver des réponses en consultant la Foire aux questions (en anglais).

Google Translate Disclaimer

A number of pages on the Government of Saskatchewan's website have been professionally translated in French. These translations are identified by a yellow box in the right or left rail that resembles the link below. The home page for French-language content on this site can be found at:

Renseignements en Français

Where an official translation is not available, Google™ Translate can be used. Google™ Translate is a free online language translation service that can translate text and web pages into different languages. Translations are made available to increase access to Government of Saskatchewan content for populations whose first language is not English.

Software-based translations do not approach the fluency of a native speaker or possess the skill of a professional translator. The translation should not be considered exact, and may include incorrect or offensive language. The Government of Saskatchewan does not warrant the accuracy, reliability or timeliness of any information translated by this system. Some files or items cannot be translated, including graphs, photos and other file formats such as portable document formats (PDFs).

Any person or entities that rely on information obtained from the system does so at his or her own risk. Government of Saskatchewan is not responsible for any damage or issues that may possibly result from using translated website content. If you have any questions about Google™ Translate, please visit: Google™ Translate FAQs.

Amendments Protect Citizens From The Dangers Of Carbon Monoxide And Building Fires

Released on September 3, 2021

All Saskatchewan residential buildings will require working carbon monoxide and smoke alarms by July 1, 2022

Today, Government Relations Minister Don McMorris announced amendments to The Uniform Building and Accessibility Standards Regulations (the UBAS Regulations).  The amendments require carbon monoxide (CO) and smoke alarms be installed in all residential buildings in Saskatchewan, regardless of the building's age.  Prior to this amendment, smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms were only required in new residential construction that were built since 1988 and 2009 respectively.  

"The health, welfare and safety of residents in their homes is a priority in building safe communities and a strong Saskatchewan," McMorris said.  "Requiring all residential buildings to have working CO and smoke alarms ensures you and your family are better protected against these dangerous substances."

Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odourless, poisonous gas that is often produced when fuel-burning appliances like furnaces, stoves, water heaters and fireplaces malfunction.  Carbon monoxide incidents happen frequently; between 2018 and 2020, an average of 1,200 CO incidents were reported annually to SaskEnergy.  If there isn't a working CO alarm to alert you to its presence in your home, continued CO exposure can lead to confusion, drowsiness, loss of consciousness, brain damage and death.  

Smoke from residential fires spread quickly.  Since residential fires can become life-threatening in less than two minutes, a working smoke alarm can alert you and your family to escape before a fire spreads.  In their 2020-21 annual report, the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency noted that of all fires reported to the agency during that period, 36 per cent (440 fires) impacted residential structures.

"Saskatchewan citizens want assurance that their residences are safe, and it has been shown that working carbon monoxide and smoke alarm devices save lives," Saskatchewan's Chief Building Official Marvin Meickel said.  "When implemented, the regulations will establish a minimum level of life safety for people, now and into the future."

To allow property owners enough time to purchase and install these alarms, compliance with this new requirement will not be enforced until July 1, 2022.  For more information about this UBAS Regulation amendment, the approved alarm models or where you should install these alarms in your home, please visit Carbon Monoxide Alarms and Smoke Alarms.

-30-

For more information, contact:

Kathy Goldfinch
Government Relations
Regina
Phone: 306-787-2687
Email: kathy.goldfinch@gov.sk.ca

We need your feedback to improve saskatchewan.ca. Help us improve