Fire/Life Safety
Why CO Detector Choice Is Critical
Increasingly, states and local jurisdictions are mandating the installation of carbon monoxide (CO) detectors. Alarm professionals therefore must not only comply with the industry’s most recent product standards, but understand the differences among various new requirements.
CO Legislation on Track for Enduring Life-Safety Role
The fire/life-safety industry has a renewed opportunity to impart much of its wisdom on legislators who want to help protect their constituents from the lethal effects of carbon monoxide (CO).
Even with the new International Code Council (ICC) requirements for CO detection with individual state/local jurisdiction adaptations beginning in 2010, legislation around the country continues to gain traction for a long-term role.
Many states are stepping up to provide bills that require the installation of CO detectors. In 2009, seven states enacted such laws: Colorado, Maine, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon and Washington.
Requirements differ in each state. Montana, for example, only calls for a consensus when a transfer of ownership of a dwelling occurs; a written notice must be provided by the seller stating if there are CO detectors installed. Washington, on the other hand, requires the installation of CO alarms in newly constructed residences. Existing homes are exempt, except when reselling.
Now, with the ICC requirements, code and legislation developments are converging and bestowing a combined effort for maximum fire and life safety. From a roadmap perspective, this evolving code has yielded good results.
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