What Ontario Regulation 87/25 Means for Fire Protection Contractors in 2026

In April 2025, the Ontario government approved Ontario Regulation 87/25, a major update to the Ontario Fire Code that aligns provincial requirements with the 2020 National Fire Code of Canada. These updates introduce more detailed documentation, standardized reporting formats, and new inspection requirements that go into effect January 1, 2026.

For fire and life safety contractors, these changes represent a shift in both compliance and workflow. Here’s what you need to know—and how to prepare.

What Is Ontario Regulation 87/25?

Ontario Regulation 87/25 updates multiple sections of the Ontario Fire Code, modernizing inspection and testing practices for fire alarm and life safety systems.

The regulation:

• Aligns with the 2020 National Fire Code of Canada
• Updates documentation requirements for fire alarm system inspections and verifications
• Introduces new smoke alarm testing and documentation standards for certain buildings
• Adds requirements around tenant notification and in-suite access
• Reinforces standardized record keeping and reporting formats for AHJ compliance

Together, these updates aim to make inspection data more traceable, transparent, and consistent across jurisdictions.

What’s Changing for Fire Alarm and Smoke Alarm Inspections

The most immediate impacts will be felt in fire alarm and smoke alarm inspection documentation.

ULC-S536:2019 (Inspection) and ULC-S537:2019 (Verification)
Ontario’s adoption of these national standards means inspectors must follow more detailed forms and testing procedures—especially for:

• Wireless devices and CO detectors connected to fire alarm systems
  
• Manual stations and air sampling devices
  
• Notification appliances and their verification steps
  

Smoke Alarm Testing Requirements
Certain buildings must now include annual smoke alarm testing, which may require coordination with tenants and updated inspection planning.In-Suite Access and Notice Periods
Annual testing will require documented access to in-suite devices, with building owners responsible for proper notice under the Residential Tenancies Act.

The Compliance Burden and Opportunity

Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) will expect consistent, standardized reports that demonstrate:

• All required inspections were completed
  
• Updated forms and fields were used
  
• Proper tenant notifications were provided
  

Without modern tools, these updates could increase inspection time and cost by 20–35%. For many contractors, that means more time on paperwork and less on revenue-generating work.

How ServiceTrade Fire Inspections Helps You Stay Compliant in Ontario

ServiceTrade Inspections simplifies compliance under Ontario Regulation 87/25 by combining form updates, standardized workflows, and automated reporting into one connected platform.

Here’s how:
✅ Updated Canadian Forms – The Standard Forms Library automatically reflects new provincial and national codes, including Ontario Reg 87/25 and ULC-S536/S537.
✅ Professional Reports – Generate clean, consistent reports that AHJs accept on first submission.
✅ Deficiency Integration – Instantly turn inspection findings into repair opportunities.
✅ In-Suite Tracking – Log tenant notices and access compliance directly in the app.
✅ Automated Version Control – Every inspection record is stored, searchable, and compliant.
✅ End-to-End Efficiency – Move seamlessly from inspection to repair and invoicing—no disconnected apps or duplicate data entry.

Preparing for 2026 Ontario Fire Codes: What to Do Now

To ensure compliance by January 1, 2026, fire contractors should:

1. Review existing inspection forms and workflows for alignment with ULC-S536/S537.
   
2. Train technicians on new testing and documentation requirements.
   
3. Plan for tenant access and notice documentation.
   
4. Switch to a platform with pre-updated Canadian forms—so you’re not rebuilding from scratch.

Ontario’s adoption of Regulation 87/25 represents a significant modernization of fire safety documentation and inspection practices. While it raises the compliance bar, it also provides an opportunity to streamline operations and reduce manual risk.

With ServiceTrade Inspections, Canadian contractors can stay ahead of every update—without reworking their forms or retraining their teams for every new standard.