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.
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Visit Cal Fire's Office of the State Fire Marshal Building Materials Listings Search Engine, and select the type of device you are seeking information on from the Category dropdown and "search".
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.
Information on the hazards of carbon monoxide is available from the California Department of Public Health Center For Preparedness and Response website.
Smoke alarms sense smoke well before you can, alerting you to danger.
In the event of fire, you may have as little as 2 minutes to escape safely, which is why smoke alarms need to be in every bedroom/sleeping area, outside of the sleeping areas (like a hallway), and on each level of the home (including the basement). Do not put smoke alarms in your kitchen or bathrooms.
Test your smoke alarms once every month. Just push the test button once to make sure you hear the loud beep, beep, beep sound. That means it’s working. If it doesn’t sound, then change its battery or, if the unit is over 10 years old, replace the entire unit.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning to keep smoke alarms working properly. Cleaning instructions are included in the package or can be found on the internet.
Learn the sounds of your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms by checking the user guide or search the brand and model online.
Choose an alarm that is listed with a nationally recognized testing laboratory, meaning it has met certain standards for protection. Whether you select a unit that requires yearly changing of batteries, or a 10-year unit that you change out at the end of the 10 years, either will provide protection.
There are many brands of smoke alarms, but they fall under two basic types: ionization and photoelectric.
Ionization alarms are more responsive to flaming fires, and photoelectric alarms are more responsive to smoldering fires. Photoelectric smoke alarms are the best type of alarms to be installed near the kitchen and bathrooms to reduce nuisance alarms.
For the best protection, use combination smoke alarms that are interconnected throughout the home. These can be installed by a qualified electrician, so that when one sounds, they all sound. This ensures you can hear the alarm no matter where in your home the alarm originates.
New multi-criteria smoke alarm technology will state “helps reduce cooking nuisance alarms” on the packaging. Consider using new multi-criteria alarms when it is time to replace existing photoelectric or ionization alarms.
There are smoke alarms and alert devices that alert people who are deaf or hard of hearing. These devices include strobe lights that flash to alert people when the smoke alarm sounds. Pillow or bed shakers designed to work with your smoke alarm also can be purchased and installed.
These work by shaking the pillow or bed when the smoke alarm sounds. These products can be found online and in stores that sell smoke and CO alarms.
Make sure to choose smoke alarms and accessories for people who are deaf or hard of hearing that are listed by a qualified testing laboratory. It’s also good practice to sleep with your mobile phone and your hearing aids or implants close to your bed.
There is a difference between a smoke “detector” and a smoke “alarm”.
A smoke detector is just a sensor that monitors for smoke and is connected to a whole building fire alarm system.
A smoke alarm has both the sensor to monitor for smoke and the speaker that makes the sound to notify the home occupants. When referring to the devices found in most homes, smoke alarms is the correct term to use.
Use a portable fire extinguisher when the fire is confined to a small area, such as a wastebasket, and is not growing; everyone has exited the building; the fire department has been called or is being called; and the room is not filled with smoke.
