A Condo Corp Was Fined: Here's What Went Wrong and How New Boards Can Avoid It
Ontario added significant Fire Code amendments and an optional municipal administrative monetary penalty framework in 2026. Recent enforcement also shows that Fire Code charges can involve multiple parties connected to a building. The lessons are useful for condominium boards, but charges should not be described as findings of guilt or fines unless a court or tribunal has actually imposed them.
In City Site’s podcast “Ontario Fire Code Changes Condo Boards Need To Know in 2026” with Sam Soltani of The Trace Group, we discuss exactly what happens when a condominium corporation does not meet its fire safety obligations, alongside other accountability, documentation, and lessons for new boards. The episode brings the consequences of weak oversight into sharper focus by connecting compliance failures with board-level accountability.
It also reinforces the value of acting early, before a notice, incident, or investigation forces the issue. Check out more information about this podcast here: #WeSpeakCondo podcast
Case One: Carbon Monoxide in the Hallways
Carbon monoxide is invisible and odourless, and Ontario expanded CO-alarm requirements in 2026 to provide earlier warning in specified residential and care-occupancy situations.
Where a forced-air fuel-burning appliance outside a residential or care suite directly heats a public corridor serving residential suites, the amended Fire Code requires CO alarms in that corridor, including spacing of not more than 25 metres in an undivided corridor. Boards should confirm applicability with a qualified professional and maintain required inspection and testing records.
Case Two: The Garage Wash Fatality
A 2014 fatal carbon monoxide poisoning in a Toronto parking garage occurred because gas-powered pressure washer emissions exceeded ventilation capacity, leading to a $75,000 fine for inadequate hazard training. This incident resulted in a province-wide safety alert mandating a shift to electric equipment or strict outdoor usage for such tasks.
Parking garage ventilation systems are designed for brief vehicle traffic, not continuous industrial engine exhaust. To prevent toxic gas buildup, property managers and contractors must enforce the use of electric equipment indoors or position all combustion engines strictly outside.
Case Three: One Enforcement Action, Three Parties
A documented 2026 Toronto enforcement matter arising from the Thorncliffe Park fire named PFC Construction Inc., Metropolitan Toronto Condominium Corporation 956, and Del Property Management Inc. The charges were allegations when announced and had not been adjudicated. Under the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, maximum first-offence fines on conviction are generally $50,000 for an individual and $500,000 for a corporation, and the Act contains specific director and officer liability provisions.
Prompt communication, documentation, corrective action, and professional advice are prudent practices when a Fire Code issue is identified. Boards should not assume, however, that cooperation will prevent charges or determine the penalty a court may impose.
What New Boards Should Do First
Boards can reduce compliance risk with practical steps: confirm which CO-alarm requirements apply to the building, track inspection deficiencies and corrective work, and review the fire safety plan at least every 12 months and revise it as necessary. Smoke-control procedures and testing should be handled according to the building-specific Fire Code provisions and system design.
Prevention Costs Less Than a Single Violation
Fines and legal exposure can follow Fire Code contraventions, but the safest governance message is not that enforcement rewards effort. Boards should identify applicable obligations, keep required records, obtain qualified advice, and act on deficiencies in a timely way.
Boards that want to understand where their building stands can start with a structured review. Contact City Sites Property Management to discuss your building's needs and request a proposal, including coordination with qualified fire-safety professionals where appropriate.
For a deeper discussion of what happens when a condominium corporation does not meet its fire safety obligations, listen to the full #WeSpeakCondo episode with Sam Soltani of The Trace Group. The conversation adds useful perspective on accountability, documentation, and lessons for new boards, and is a helpful companion to this article.
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