As of July 1, 2011, the Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act (Senate Bill- SB 183) requires all single-family homes with an attached garage or a fossil fuel source to install carbon monoxide alarms within the home. Owners of multi-family leased or rental dwellings, such as apartment buildings, are required to comply with the law by January 1, 2013.
The CAL FIRE/ Office of the State Fire Marshal has created these frequently asked questions (FAQ) on carbon monoxide devices for the citizens of California to provide information on this important matter.
SB-183 is also known as the “Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act” This senate bill requires that a carbon monoxide (CO) device be installed in all dwelling units intended for human occupancy.
Carbon Monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that is produced from heaters, fireplaces, furnaces, and many types of appliances and cooking devices. It can also be produced from vehicles that are idling.
A dwelling unit is defined as a single-family dwelling, duplex, lodging house, dormitory, hotel, motel, condominium, time-share project, or dwelling unit in a multiple-unit dwelling unit building. 4. Does a duplex qualify as a single family dwelling? By definition, a duplex is not considered a single family dwelling.
Yes. The law requires that CO alarms be installed in multi-unit occupancies if there is fossil fuel burning appliances or attached garages. There isn’t an exception for dwellings without direct access from the garage to the living area as CO from the garage can travel through openings and ventilation systems entering into the living space.
Yes. The law requires that CO alarms be installed when fossil fuel appliances are used. Since common areas and hallways leading to the living units can produce CO which could enter the living units by ventilation systems, an alarm would be located within the living unit.
A carbon monoxide alarm is a stand alone unit which is tested to Underwriters Laboratory (UL) Standard 2034 and has its own built-in power supply and audible device. These units are typically installed in your single family dwelling. A carbon monoxide detector is a system unit which is tested to UL Standard 2075 and is designed to be used with a fire alarm system and receives its power from the fire alarm panel.
There are two types of devices available. There are Carbon Monoxide alarms (CSFM category # 5276) and Carbon Monoxide detectors (CSFM category # 5278).
Yes. SB-183 prohibits the marketing, distribution, or sale of devices unless it is approved and listed by the State Fire Marshal.
http://osfm.fire.ca.gov/strucfireengineer/pdf/bml/CSFM%20listed%20carbon%20monoxi de%20devices.pdf (link does not work). This document is updated periodically.
a) Click this URL link, https://osfm.fire.ca.gov/strucfireengineer/pdf/bml/CSFM%20listed%20carbon%20monoxide% 20devices.pdf (link does not work) and click the desired listing’s listing number URL link, which will open up a pdf document of the full listing. -or-
b) To locate up to date listings and search by CSFM category or Company (Manufacturer) http://osfm.fire.ca.gov/licensinglistings/licenselisting_bml_searchcotest.php (link does not work)
The law requires that CO devices to be approved and listed by the State Fire Marshal prior to sale, marketing, or distribution. Existing CO devices installed prior to July 1, 2011 may continue to be utilized.
At this time the CAL FIRE/Office of the State Fire Marshal is not aware of any requirement for a 10 year life battery for CO alarms. However, if the device is a combination battery operated (primary power source) smoke/CO alarm, commencing January 1, 2014, in order for the State Fire Marshal to approve and list the device, the device must display the date of manufacture, provide a place where the date of installation can be written, incorporate a hush feature, incorporate an end-of-life feature providing notice that the device needs to be replaced, and, contain a non-replaceable, non-removable battery that is capable of powering the smoke alarm for a minimum of 10 years as required per Senate Bill 1394 recently chaptered into law.
CO devices should be installed outside each sleeping areas of the home including the basement. The manufacturer’s installation instruction should also be followed.
No. They are required by SB-183 to be installed outside of each sleeping area. For maximum protection against CO gas, it is recommended that a CO device be installed in each sleeping room.
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 720, the location for effective performance is not generally dependent on mounting height. The density of carbon monoxide is similar to that of air at room temperature, and carbon monoxide generally mixes readily with air. The manufacturer’s installation instruction should also be followed.
No. By law, both smoke alarms/detectors and carbon monoxide devices are required to be installed in all dwellings. However, a combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarm/detector will satisfy both requirements.
The CAL FIRE/Office of the State Fire Marshal approved and listed the CO alarms but enforcement of the requirement could fall upon the “Enforcing Agency” as designated by statue or regulations. Normally, a typical enforcing agency is your local fire and/or building department.
California Building Code, Chapter 2 and Health and Safety Code, Section 17920 provide a definition that states, “…diligent effort to secure compliance, including review of plans and permit applications, response to complaints, citation of violations, and other legal process. Except as otherwise provided in this part, “enforcement” may, but need not, include inspections of existing buildings on which no complaint or permit application has been filed, and effort to secure compliance as to these buildings”. As always, it is advisable that enforcing agencies consult with their legal counsel regarding the enforcement of these provisions on existing single-family residence.
For other questions, contact your local enforcing agencies, such as local building and fire departments. Regulation information is available on the California Department of Housing and Community Development website at http://www.hcd.ca.gov/. Information on the hazards of carbon monoxide is available from the California Department of Public Health website at http://www.cdph.ca.gov/Pages/DEFAULT.aspx.
