Carbon Monoxide Legislation
Do you know the fire safety laws in your state? Some states require carbon monoxide detectors in all homes and residences. Some require smoke alarms and CO detectors. Some even require other safety products. No matter where you live or work, it's important to know the latest fire and CO safety laws and legislation. When you know the rules, you can ensure avoidance of fines or penalties. And more importantly, you can help save lives.
Below is an overview of the most recent Fire Safety Legislation by state. Some states are approaching the 7-year anniversary of their initial CO alarm replacement legislation.
Washington
Effective January 1, 2013.
Requires CO alarms in existing R-1, R-2, R-3.
Effective July 1, 2011
Requires CO alarms in existing owner-occupied single-family dwellings, condos and mobile homes when the dwelling is offered for sale.
Effective January 1, 2011
Effective January 1, 2011
Requires CO alarms to be installed outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms in all newly constructed one and two-family dwellings, town homes not more than three stories and R-1, R-2, R-3 occupancies, and when work requiring a permit occurs in such existing dwelling.
Oregon
Effective Apr. 1, 2011.
The Lofgren and Zander Memorial Act requires CO alarms installed in newly constructed single and multifamily dwellings and existing single and multifamily dwellings which are sold or transferred. CO alarms installed in sleeping areas.
Effective July 1, 2010.
CO alarms are required in all rental dwellings in sleeping areas.
California
Effective January 1, 2016.
Requires CO alarms in all existing hotels and motels having a fuel burning appliance or attached garage.
Requires 10-year smoke alarms in every bedroom of rental dwellings units. Existing alarms do not need to be replaced unless the alarm is inoperable.
Effective January 1, 2017.
Senate Bill 745
Requires CO alarms in hotel and motel guest rooms.
Effective January 1, 2013.
Requires CO alarms in all existing multifamily dwellings having a fuel burning appliance or attached garage.
Effective July 1, 2011.
Requires CO alarms in all existing single family dwellings having a fuel burning appliance or attached garage.
Effective Jan. 1, 2011.
Requires CO alarms in all newly constructed one and two-family dwellings and town homes not more than three stories, and R-1, R-2, R-3, I-1 dwellings having a fuel burning appliance or attached garage, and when work requiring a permit over $1,000 occurs in such existing dwellings.
Alaska
Effective January 1, 2004.
Required in all residential structures with fossil fuel heating appliances, attached garages or enclosed parking.
Anchorage:
Effective March 2004.
Required in new and existing single and multifamily dwellings.
Idaho
Effective January 1, 2011.
Requires CO alarms to be installed outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms in all newly constructed one and two-family dwellings and town homes not more than three stories having fuel burning appliances or attached garages and when work requiring a permit occurs in such existing dwelling.
Montana
Effective October 1, 2009.
Each dwelling unit controlled/ rented by a landlord shall install CO alarms in accordance to the rules adopted by the Department of Labor. All non-landlord controlled dwellings and those not required to have CO alarms installed must only disclose at the time of sale or transfer whether the dwelling for sale is or is not equipped with a CO alarm.
Wyoming
Effective June 1, 2012.
Effective January 1, 2011.
Requires CO alarms in all newly constructed one and two-family dwellings and town homes not more than three stories having fuel burning appliances or attached garages, and when work requiring a permit occurs in such existing dwelling.
Effective June 1, 2012.
The 2012 IBC requires CO alarms are required in newly constructed Group-R and Group-I occupancies containing a fuel-burning appliance or an attached garage. Buildings having an open parking garage or enclosed ventilated parking garages are exempt. CO alarms shall be installed per NFPA 72.
Effective June 1, 2012.
The 2012 IFC requires existing Group-R and Group-I occupancies to follow the same requirements of the 2012 IBC for newly constructed occupancies. CO alarms shall be installed per NFPA 72.
Exemptions to these requirements also extend to occupancies if dwelling units do not contain a fuel-burning appliance or have an attached garage, but are located in a building with a fuel-burning appliance or an attached garage, CO detection is not required if:
- The sleeping unit or dwelling unit is located more than one story above or below any story that contains a fuel-burning appliance or an attached garage
- The sleeping unit or dwelling unit is not connected by duct work or ventilation shafts to an attached garage or any room containing a fuel-burning appliance.
Utah
Effective January 1, 2016.
House Bill 316
Expands CO alarm requirements to include all floors of covered buildings.
Arizona
Effective January 1, 2013.
Requires CO alarms to be installed outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms in all newly constructed one and two-family dwellings and town homes not more than three stories having fuel burning appliances or attached garages and when work requiring a permit occurs in such existing dwelling.
Colorado
Effective July 1, 2009.
Requires all single and multi-family dwellings equipped with a fossil-fuel burning heater, appliance, and fireplace or having an attached garage to install CO alarms within 15 feet of the entrance to all rooms used for sleeping upon permit for new construction, renovation or upon sale or transfer of the dwelling. Additionally, CO alarms are to be installed upon the change of occupancy of rental dwellings.
Aspen:
Required in all new and existing single and multifamily dwellings and hotels.
New Mexico
Effective July 1, 2011.
Requires CO alarms to be installed outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms in all newly constructed one and two-family dwellings and town homes not more than three stories having fuel burning appliances or attached garages and when work requiring a permit occurs in such existing.
North Dakota
Effective January 1, 2019.
New Requirements
Requires CO alarms in all residential rental properties in addition to existing requirements for smoke alarms.
Affected Building/Dwelling Types (1) Residential rental properties that include a wood- or other fuel-fired fireplace, heater or appliance, or an attached garage.
Effective January 1, 2011.
All newly constructed one and two-family dwellings and town homes not more than three stories, upon initial permit are required to install CO alarms in the vicinity of bedrooms.
South Dakota
Effective January 1, 2013.
The 2012 IBC requires CO alarms are required in newly constructed Group-R and Group-I occupancies containing a fuel-burning appliance or an attached garage. Buildings having an open parking garage or enclosed ventilated parking garages are exempt. CO alarms shall be installed per NFPA 72.
Exemptions to the IBC requirements also extend to occupancies if dwelling units do not contain a fuel-burning appliance or have an attached garage, but are located in a building with a fuel-burning appliance or an attached garage, CO detection is not required if:
- The sleeping unit or dwelling unit is located more than one story above or below any story that contains a fuel-burning appliance or an attached garage
- The sleeping unit or dwelling unit is not connected by duct work or ventilation shafts to an attached garage or any room containing a fuel-burning appliance.
Effective January 1, 2012.
Requires CO alarms in all newly constructed one and two-family dwellings and town homes not more than three stories having fuel burning appliances or attached garages, and when work requiring a permit occurs in such existing dwelling.
Nebraska
Effective July 1, 2017.
Legislative Bill 34
Requires CO alarms in all new residential dwellings (single- and multi-family)
Requires CO alarms in existing dwellings that undergo renovation, rental properties that have a change in tenancy and existing multi-family properties that are sold and bought.
Effective July 1, 2011.
Requires CO alarms to be installed outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms in all newly constructed one and two-family dwellings and town homes not more than three stories having fuel burning appliances or attached garages and when work requiring a permit occurs in such existing.
Oklahoma
Effective January 1, 2011.
Requires CO alarms in all newly constructed one and two-family dwellings and town homes not more than three stories having fuel burning appliances or attached garages, and when work requiring a permit occurs in such existing dwelling.
Texas
Bellaire:
Required in all newly constructed residential dwellings.
Minnesota
Effective August 1, 2009.
All other multifamily or apartment dwelling units shall be provided with approved CO alarms.
Effective August 1, 2008.
All existing single family homes shall be equipped with approved carbon monoxide alarms.
Effective January 1, 2007.
All newly constructed single family homes and multifamily dwelling units for which building permits are issued shall be provided with approved carbon monoxide alarms.
Iowa
Effective July 1, 2019.
New Requirements
Requires CO alarms in all newly constructed and existing multi-unit dwellings and single-family rental properties.
(1) Installation of battery-operated or hardwired CO alarms in newly constructed multi-unit residential buildings and single-family dwellings, the construction of which began on or after July 1, 2017, provided that the property has a fuel-fired heater or appliance, fireplace, or attached garage.
(2) Alarms must be installed within 15 feet of the entrance of each sleeping room.
Affected Building/Dwelling Types
(1) Multi-unit residential and single-family dwellings (constructed on or after July 1, 2017, with fuel-fired heater or appliance, fireplace, or attached garage).
Effective Jan. 1, 2010.
Requires CO alarms to be installed outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms in all newly constructed one and two-family dwellings and town homes not more than three stories having fuel burning appliances or attached garages and when work requiring a permit occurs in such existing dwelling.
Effective July 1, 2018.
Senate Bill 2219
Requires CO alarms in new and existing multi-unit residential buildings and single-family rental dwellings.
Missouri
Effective October 1, 2012.
The 2012 IBC requires CO alarms are required in newly constructed Group-R and Group-I occupancies containing a fuel-burning appliance or an attached garage. Buildings having an open parking garage or enclosed ventilated parking garages are exempt. CO alarms shall be installed per NFPA 72.
Exemptions to these requirements also extend to occupancies if dwelling units do not contain a fuel-burning appliance or have an attached garage, but are located in a building with a fuel-burning appliance or an attached garage, CO detection is not required if:
- The sleeping unit or dwelling unit is located more than one story above or below any story that contains a fuel-burning appliance or an attached garage
- The sleeping unit or dwelling unit is not connected by duct work or ventilation shafts to an attached garage or any room containing a fuel-burning appliance
Kirksville:
Required in new and existing dwellings having a fuel burning appliance or an attached garage.
St. Louis:
Required in new and existing dwellings having a fuel burning appliance or an attached garage.
Louisiana
Effective Jan. 1, 2011.
Requires CO alarms to be installed outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms in all newly constructed one and two-family dwellings and town homes not more than three stories having fuel burning appliances or attached garages and when work requiring a permit occurs in such existing dwelling.
Wisconsin
Effective April 16, 2018.
New Requirements
Install CO alarms in units if:
(1) The unit is served by a fuel-burning, forced-air furnance
(2) The unit is located in a building that contains a fuel-burning appliance
(3) The unit is in a building with an attached private garage.
Install CO in the following areas:
(1) Outside each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the sleeping room
(2) Inside sleeping areas with a fuel-burning appliance
(3) Inside sleeping areas connected to a bathroom that contains a fuel-burning appliance
Affected Building/Dwelling Types
(1) Commerical residential buildings, such as hotels, motels, etc.
Effective February 1, 2011.
Requires CO alarms be installed outside sleeping areas in all new and existing one and two family dwellings having a fuel burning appliance or attached garage.
Effective April 1, 2010.
CO alarms are required in existing multi-family dwellings equipped with a fuel burning appliance or attached garage and shall be installed within 15 feet of each sleeping area, in the basement if there is a fuel burning appliance, be installed not more than 75 feet from a fuel burning appliance in each room not used as a sleeping area, and in each hallway leading from a unit that has a fuel burning appliance, in a location that is within 75 feet from the unit.
Effective October 1, 2008.
CO alarms are required in new multi-family dwellings equipped with a fuel burning appliance or attached garage and shall be installed within 15 feet of each sleeping area, in the basement if there is a fuel burning appliance, be installed not more than 75 feet from a fuel burning appliance in each room not used as a sleeping area, and in each hallway leading from a unit that has a fuel burning appliance, in a location that is within 75 feet from the unit.
Brown Dear:
Required in all newly constructed and existing residential dwellings.
Illinois
Effective Jan. 1, 2007.
Requires all residential dwelling to install at least one CO alarm within 15 feet of sleeping areas.
Chicago:
Effective 1996.
Requires all residential structures with fossil fuel burning appliances.
Frankfort:
All newly constructed dwellings
Lake Forest:
All newly constructed and renovated dwellings equipped fuel burning appliances or an attached garage.
Lincolnwood:
All newly constructed dwellings, when a fuel burning furnace is newly installed or replace or upon dwelling renovations exceeding $10,000.
Kentucky
Effective June 1, 2011.
All newly constructed one and two family dwellings, townhouses, R-2, R-3 and R-4 occupancies within which fuel-fired appliances are installed and in dwelling units that have attached garages. Where work requiring a permit occurs within existing one and two family dwellings, townhouses, and R-2, R-3 and R-4 occupancies equipped with fuel-fired appliance(s) or an existing dwelling that has attached garage(s), the permitting authority shall inform the homeowner/occupant that carbon monoxide alarms are required to be installed. CO alarms shall be installed outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms.
Tennessee
Effective January 1, 2016.
Senate Bill 647
Requires CO alarms in all existing and newly constructed hotels that contain fuel-burning elements.
Mississippi
CODE IS AT LOCALLY ADOPTED LEVEL ONLY - NOT ENFORCED STATEWIDE
Effective January 1, 2013.
Requires CO alarms in all newly constructed one and two-family dwellings and town homes not more than three stories having fuel burning appliances or attached.
Effective January 1, 2013.
Requires CO alarms in all newly constructed one and two-family dwellings and town homes not more than three stories having fuel burning appliances or attached.
Effective January 1, 2013.
Requires CO alarms in all newly constructed one and two-family dwellings and town homes not more than three stories having fuel burning appliances or attached garages, and when work requiring a permit occurs in such existing dwelling.
Effective January 1, 2013.
The 2012 IBC requires CO alarms are required in newly constructed Group-R and Group-I occupancies containing a fuel-burning appliance or an attached garage. Buildings having an open parking garage or enclosed ventilated parking garages are exempt. CO alarms shall be installed per NFPA 72.
Michigan
Effective Jan. 1, 2010.
Requires CO alarms to be installed outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms in all newly constructed one and two-family dwellings and town homes not more than three stories having fuel burning appliances or attached garages and when work requiring a permit occurs in such existing.
All newly constructed hotels built after Dec. 1, 2009 are required to install CO alarms near fossil fuel burning equipment, excluding fireplaces. CO alarms may be powered by battery, plug-in with or without battery backup, or hardwired with battery back-up.
Pontiac:
Required in owner occupied and renter occupied units.
Indiana
St. Joseph County
Effective January 1, 2018.
New Requirements
Ordinance passed requiring installation and maintenance of CO detectors within all single-family and multifamily rental dwellings.
(1) Single-family and multifamily rental dwellings include living quarters for rent or lease and hotels, motels, boarding houses, sleeping room houses, buildings or mixed occupancy having residential units, nursing homes, convalescent homes, licensed halfway houses, and lodging.
(2) Sleeping area defined as the area of a unit in which a bedroom or sleeping room is located. Bedrooms or sleeping rooms separated by another use area, such as a kitchen or living room, are separate sleeping areas. However, bedrooms or sleeping rooms separated by a bathroom are not separate sleeping areas. (3) Any single-family or multifamily dwelling rental unit or mobile home rental with a fireplace, wood-burning stove, attached garage, or fossil fuel-burning appliance shall have at least one operational carbon monoxide detector per unit.
Affected Building/Dwelling Types
(1) Rental Units
(2) Multi-dwelling properties, such as apartments, hotels, motels, nursing homes and other lodging establishments.
Alabama
Effective October 7, 2011.
Requires CO alarms to be installed outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms in all newly constructed one and two-family dwellings and town homes not more than three stories having fuel burning appliances or attached garages and when work requiring a permit occurs in such existing dwelling.
Florida
Effective July 1, 2008.
Requires CO alarms in the new construction of every building that includes a fossil-fuel-burning heater or appliance, fireplace, or an attached garage. CO alarms must be installed within 10 feet of each room used for sleeping. In public lodging establishments, every enclosed space or room that contains a boiler located in any portion of the establishment that contains sleeping rooms must install CO sensor devices. The CO sensor devices must be integrated with the public lodging establishment's fire detection system.
Effective January 1, 2015
House Bill 747
Allows 10-year battery-powered smoke alarms to replace AC-wired alarms in some new projects and mandates 10-year battery-powered alarms in lieu of all other battery-powered units.
Hialeah:
Effective December 1, 2006.
Required in all residential units.
Ohio
Effective January 1, 2019.
New Requirements
Updates to state fire code (OH 21936 2017) require carbon monoxide alarms in existing multi-dwelling properties.
Hotels, motels, care facilities, multifamily housing, etc. State law already requires CO alarms in newly constructed buildings, but this action extends the requirement to existing multi-dwelling properties.
CO alarms may be hardwired or solely battery-operated.
Affected Building/Dwelling Types
Hotels, motels, care facilities, multifamily housing, etc.
Effective January 1, 2016.
State of Ohio Building Standards
Requires smoke alarms with ionization and photoelectric technologies (separately or dual-sensor units) in new construction of one-, two-, and three-family dwellings.
West Virginia
Effective January 1, 2019.
New Requirements
Alarms must be hardwired with battery backup.
Affected Building/Dwelling Types
(1) Public/private schools
(2) Day care facilities
Effective January 1, 2013.
Requires CO alarms in NEW apartment buildings, hotels/ motels, one and two family dwellings intended to be leased/ rented, boarding houses, dormitories, long term care facilities, adult or child care facilities, assisted living facilities. CO alarms shall be installed in either a common area where the general public has access OR in all rooms used for sleeping that adjoin, are directly below, are directly above or which contain, permanently installed fuel-burning appliances and equipment. Only AC/DC hardwired CO alarms may be installed in all newly constructed dwellings.
Effective September 1, 2012.
Requires CO alarms in existing apartment buildings, hotels/ motels, one and two family dwellings intended to be leased/ rented, boarding houses, dormitories, long term care facilities, adult or child care facilities, assisted living facilities. CO alarms shall be installed in either a common area where the general public has access OR in all rooms used for sleeping that adjoin, are directly below, are directly above or which contain, permanently installed fuel-burning appliances and equipment.
Effective July 1, 1998.
Requires CO alarms to be installed outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms in all newly constructed one and two-family dwellings and town homes not more than three stories and when work requiring a permit occurs in such existing dwelling.
Virginia
Effective Jan. 1, 2011.
Requires CO alarms to be installed outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms in all newly constructed one and two-family dwellings and town homes not more than three stories having fuel burning appliances or attached garages and when work requiring a permit occurs in such existing dwelling.
Newly constructed Group R occupancies containing fuel-fired appliances or attached to a Group U private parking garage are required to install CO alarms. CO alarms are to be installed outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms.
North Carolina
Effective Jan. 1, 2010.
Requires CO alarms to be installed outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms in all newly constructed one and two-family dwellings and town homes not more than three stories and when work requiring a permit occurs in such existing dwelling.
Requires rental properties that have gas-burning heaters, appliances, fireplaces and attached garages to install CO alarms. One CO alarm must be installed per rental unit, per level of the unit and located in accordance to NFPA 720 or the manufacturer's instructions. Vacation rental properties are exempt from the law.
Mecklenburg County:
Required in all residential dwellings having a fuel burning appliance or an attached garage.
South Carolina
Effective July 1, 2013, South Carolina has adopted the 2012 IBC which requires CO alarms are required in newly constructed Group-R and Group-I occupancies containing a fuel-burning appliance or an attached garage. Buildings having an open parking garage or enclosed ventilated parking garages are exempt. CO alarms shall be installed per NFPA 72.
Effective July 1, 2013, South Carolina has adopted the 2012 IFC which requires existing Group-R and Group-I occupancies to follow the same requirements of the 2012 IBC for newly constructed occupancies. CO alarms shall be installed per NFPA 72. Exemptions to these requirements also extend to occupancies if dwelling units do not contain a fuel-burning appliance or do not have an attached garage, but are located in a building with a fuel-burning appliance or an attached garage, CO detection is not required if:
- The sleeping unit or dwelling unit is located more than one story above or below any story that contains a fuel-burning appliance or an attached garage
- The sleeping unit or dwelling unit is not connected by duct work or ventilation shafts to an attached garage or any room containing a fuel-burning appliance
Georgia
Effective January 1, 2009.
All newly constructed one and two-family dwellings and town homes not more than three stories, upon initial permit are required to install CO alarms in the vicinity of bedrooms.
New York
Assembly Bill 9207
Requires that all battery-powered smoke alarms have non-removable, 10-year batteries.
Moved effective date of 10-year smoke alarm law from 2017 to April 1, 2019.
New York City:
Effective November 1, 2004.
Requires residential and commercial property owners to install CO alarms within 15 feet of sleeping areas in all homes, apartments, schools, hospitals, and educational facilities that have fossil fuel burning appliances excluding cooking appliances and gas clothes dryers. Requires that all CO alarms having met or exceeded their stated useful life, to be replaced.
Rockland County:
Required in all newly constructed dwellings, and when existing dwellings are sold.
Suffolk County:
Required in all new and existing residential dwellings and hotels.
Pennsylvania
Effective Dec. 18, 2013
Requires CO alarms to be installed outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms and fossil-fuel burning heater or fireplace in all multi-family dwelling units. Impacted homeowners have 18 months to comply with new law, starting from Dec 18, 2013.
Rental unit owners must ensure a working CO alarm upon the occupancy of a new tenant.
Effective Jan. 1, 2010.
Requires CO alarms to be installed outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms in all newly constructed one and two-family dwellings and town homes not more than three stories having fuel burning appliances or attached garages and when work requiring a permit occurs in such existing dwelling.
Philadelphia:
Effective January 1, 2009.
Requires CO alarms in all new and existing one- and two-family homes and residential care/assisted living facilities with not more than 16 residents, excluding staff. CO alarms are to be installed within15 feet from bedrooms/ sleeping areas.
Maryland
Effective April 1, 2017.
Senate Bill 107
Requires existing hotels to install CO alarms in certain guest rooms.
Effective Jan. 1, 2008.
Effective October 1, 2012.
Effective January 1, 2011.
Requires CO alarms in all newly constructed one and two-family dwellings and town homes not more than three stories having fuel burning appliances or attached garages, and when work requiring a permit occurs in such existing dwelling.
Effective October 1, 2012.
The 2012 IBC requires CO alarms are required in newly constructed Group-R and Group-I occupancies containing a fuel-burning appliance or an attached garage. Buildings having an open parking garage or enclosed ventilated parking garages are exempt. CO alarms shall be installed per NFPA 72.Exemptions to these requirements also extend to occupancies if dwelling units do not contain a fuel-burning appliance or have an attached garage, but are located in a building with a fuel-burning appliance or an attached garage, CO detection is not required if:
- The sleeping unit or dwelling unit is located more than one story above or below any story that contains a fuel-burning appliance or an attached garage
- The sleeping unit or dwelling unit is not connected by duct work or ventilation shafts to an attached garage or any room containing a fuel-burning appliance.
Baltimore:
Effective March 1, 2010.
Required in all residential dwellings having a fuel burning appliance or an attached garage.
Baltimore County:
Effective October 4, 2010.
Required in all rental dwellings having a fuel burning appliance or an attached garage.
Ocean City:
Required in all new and existing single and multifamily dwellings and hotels.
Prince Georges County:
Required in newly constructed single and multifamily dwellings to include hotels.
Delaware
Wilmington:
Required in all residential dwellings and mixed use occupancies, to include hotels.
New Jersey
Effective February 7, 2016.
Assembly Bill 4073
Requires CO alarms in commercial buildings.
Connecticut
Effective October 1, 2005.
Required in all one and two-family homes that is issued a building permit for new occupancy.
Effective October 1, 2012.
Required in all one and two-family homes undergoing renovations.
Effective January 1, 2014.
Owners of all one and two family homes built before October 1, 2005 that is offered for sale must certify the home is equipped with working DIGITAL CO alarms.
Rhode Island
Effective September 1, 2013.
The 2012 IBC requires CO alarms are required in newly constructed Group-R and Group-I occupancies containing a fuel-burning appliance or an attached garage. Buildings having an open parking garage or enclosed ventilated parking garages are exempt. CO alarms shall be installed per NFPA 72.
Exemptions to these requirements also extend to occupancies if dwelling units do not contain a fuel-burning appliance or have an attached garage, but are located in a building with a fuel-burning appliance or an attached garage, CO detection is not required if:
- The sleeping unit or dwelling unit is located more than one story above or below any story that contains a fuel-burning appliance or an attached garage
- The sleeping unit or dwelling unit is not connected by duct work or ventilation shafts to an attached garage or any room containing a fuel-burning appliance.
Effective Jan. 1, 2002.
Requires the installation of CO alarms in all one, two and three family dwellings, hotels, dormitories, apartment buildings, and daycares. CO alarms may be battery, plug-in with battery backup, hardwired or wireless CO, except in new construction where the alarms may only be hardwired or wireless. CO alarms shall be installed in accordance with NFPA 720. Wireless CO alarms must be listed by UL.
Massachusetts
Effective Mar. 31, 2006.
Requires residential properties that contain fossil fuel burning equipment or contain enclosed parking to install CO alarms on every level of the home and within 10 feet of sleeping areas. Additionally, upon the sale or transfer of a dwelling, the seller must certify compliance with the requirements of the law. Combination alarms must incorporate voice warning.
Abington:
Required in newly constructed dwellings and when existing dwellings are sold or transferred.
Marshfield:
Required in dwellings when a fuel burning appliance or power vent system is replaced or first installed.
Mashpee:
Required in newly constructed or renovated dwellings or upon the sale, transfer or refinancing of the dwelling.
Vermont
Effective July 1, 2005.
Requires CO alarms installed in homes upon initial occupancy or upon sale or transfer.
Requires CO alarms to be installed outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms in all newly constructed one and two-family dwellings and town homes not more than three stories and when work requiring a permit occurs in such existing dwelling.
New Hampshire
Effective January 1, 2010.
All single-family dwellings and newly constructed or renovated multifamily buildings. One CO alarm per level of the dwelling and in each common stairway and in each common hallway of a multi-unit dwelling.
Maine
Effective March 16, 2016.
Senate Bill 574
Requires CO alarms in multi-family occupancies.
About Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide (CO) toxic gas is odorless, colorless, and tasteless, meaning it can endanger lives without warning. You can protect your residents from this "silent killer" with CO detectors. These live saving devices provide more peace of mind and safety for your residents while they are living on your properties.
General CO Alarm Guidelines*
- Install CO alarms outside sleeping areas or bedrooms on each level of the dwelling
- CO alarms may be battery powered, a plug-in with battery backup, or direct wire with battery backup
- CO alarms must be listed to comply with UL 2034 and installed in accordance with manufacturers' instructions
*Alarm requirements vary by state. Consult individual statute for specific details.
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
