Beyond Fire: The Forgotten Electrical and Plumbing Maintenance Programs Every Condo Board Should Have

Condominium boards naturally prioritize fire safety, but electrical and plumbing systems also deserve structured maintenance. Ontario's electrical safety regime requires electrical equipment to be kept in safe working condition, while plumbing maintenance obligations depend on applicable codes, municipal requirements, manufacturer guidance, and building-specific conditions. Proactive programs for both systems can support reliability, loss prevention, and better documentation for the corporation.

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 how overlooked electrical and plumbing maintenance can create preventable risk, alongside other fire safety, documentation, and practical board readiness issues. Although the episode focuses on Ontario Fire Code changes, its central message applies across the building systems that boards are responsible for overseeing.

The discussion gives directors useful context for connecting maintenance records, contractor accountability, and long-term protection of the corporation’s assets. Check out more information about this podcast here: #WeSpeakCondo podcast

The ESA-Mandated Electrical Maintenance Program

Ontario's Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) requires owners and operators to maintain electrical equipment in safe working condition and to keep applicable electrical maintenance records. Infrared thermography can be one useful tool within a preventive maintenance program because it can identify abnormal temperature patterns that may indicate loose connections, overloads, deteriorating components, or other conditions requiring further investigation. 

An abnormal hot spot can be an early sign of an electrical condition that needs attention, but its cause and urgency should be assessed by qualified personnel. Thermography can help identify temperature anomalies before some failures become visible, but it cannot predict exactly when equipment will fail or guarantee that every future failure will be detected. Where thermographic scanning is part of the building's maintenance program, boards should document the results and confirm that identified issues are appropriately investigated and addressed.

Plumbing Maintenance: Preventing the Six-Figure Flood

Unlike fire safety, plumbing preventive maintenance is governed by a mix of Building Code, municipal, manufacturer, and risk-management requirements. Three components worth including in a building-specific review are isolation valves, pressure-reducing valves (PRVs), and applicable backflow-prevention devices. Isolation valves control water flow to floors, zones, or suites, and periodic operation or servicing may be recommended by the manufacturer or a qualified plumbing professional so that the valves remain operable. Backflow-prevention devices may also be subject to mandatory testing under municipal programs, with requirements varying by municipality.

The consequences of a plumbing failure can be substantial, particularly when water cannot be isolated quickly. A failed valve, riser, or pressure-control component can increase the duration and extent of a water loss, although the actual cost depends on the location, flow, affected areas, response time, and insurance coverage. The Insurance Bureau of Canada identifies flood and water damage as significant property risks, but the impact of repeated claims or maintenance issues on a condominium's renewal terms is insurer- and policy-specific.

Insurance Renewal and the Value of Documentation

Insurance underwriting requirements vary by insurer, policy, building, and loss history. Maintenance records such as electrical inspection reports, thermographic reports where used, and plumbing service logs can help a corporation demonstrate what work was completed, but they do not by themselves prove that a building has a lower risk profile or guarantee more favourable renewal terms. Boards should ask their broker or insurer which records are relevant to their specific renewal.

Gathering maintenance records throughout the year is a practical way to avoid reconstructing the history of completed work at renewal time. Good documentation can support asset management, governance, and discussions with contractors, consultants, brokers, and insurers. Any effect on premiums, coverage restrictions, deductibles, or renewal conditions should be described only with reference to the corporation's actual policy and underwriting feedback.

Implementing a Unified Oversight Framework

One practical way to manage fire, electrical, and plumbing maintenance is to use a coordinated oversight framework with defined schedules, responsibilities, and a central repository for records. This can make it easier for boards and management to track completed work, follow up on deficiencies, and identify upcoming maintenance needs. The exact program should reflect the building's systems, applicable legal requirements, manufacturer recommendations, qualified professional advice, and any insurer-specific requests.

For electrical and plumbing maintenance, the scope of City Sites' role for the specific property and retain appropriately qualified contractors or consultants where technical assessment, testing, or compliance advice is required. 

Proactive Maintenance Is a Financial Asset

Maintenance programs are easier to manage when responsibilities, intervals, records, and follow-up steps are clearly defined. Regular electrical and plumbing reviews, where appropriate for the building, can help boards identify developing issues and make more informed capital and maintenance decisions. The cost and value of any structured program will vary by property and should be compared with the building's actual risks, equipment condition, maintenance history, professional recommendations, and insurance requirements. For boards reviewing these systems, a building-specific assessment by the appropriate qualified professionals can be a useful first step.

For a deeper discussion of how electrical inspections, plumbing maintenance, and documentation protect a condominium corporation, listen to the full #WeSpeakCondo episode with Sam Soltani of The Trace Group. The conversation adds a broader fire safety perspective to this article and shows how boards can move from reactive repairs toward a coordinated maintenance program.

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