Ontario Regulation 505/24, Compliance Extension for Long-Term Care Homes, under the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997, establishes a compliance extension for long-term care homes regarding specific fire safety requirements in the Fire Code, particularly the installation of sprinklers. The regulation applies to homes that, as of January 1, 2025, do not meet the sprinkler requirements outlined in Article 9.4.5.5. of Division B of the Fire Code. To qualify for the extension, the licensee must meet one of several criteria, such as entering into a contract for the installation of sprinklers by July 1, 2026, or entering into a development agreement for the redevelopment of the facility, with construction to be completed by the same date. Licensees may also be eligible if they have entered into a closure agreement under the Fixing Long-Term Care Act, 2021.

The regulation also specifies conditions under which the compliance extension will no longer apply. These conditions include the termination of a development agreement, the expiration of approval from the Minister of Long-Term Care, or if the long-term care home becomes compliant with the sprinkler requirements of the Fire Code. Additionally, the regulation extends the compliance deadline for affected homes to July 1, 2026, provided that certain fire safety measures are followed. These measures include ensuring that supervisory staff are on duty on each floor at all times, performing fire hazard tours, and maintaining clear evacuation routes. Supervisory staff are also required to complete fire safety training by January 31, 2025, and provide documentation of this training to the Chief Fire Official.

The regulation further mandates additional fire safety measures, such as conducting fire alarm and voice communication system tests semi-annually instead of annually, and ensuring fire extinguisher placement meets specified standards. Owners are required to submit records of these inspections and tests to the Chief Fire Official within 15 days of completion. Additionally, each nurses’ station must be equipped with a 2A:10B:C rated multi-purpose portable fire extinguisher.

Ontario Regulation 505/24 underscores the critical importance of fire safety in long-term care homes while granting a temporary extension for compliance with sprinkler installation requirements. The regulation ensures that long-term care homes continue to meet other fire safety protocols during this extended period. It provides a comprehensive framework for implementing these requirements and sets clear deadlines for compliance, with the regulation being revoked on July 1, 2026, once the compliance deadline is reached.

Ontario (505/24) December 21, 2024