Carbon Monoxide Regulations

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mshields

mshields

Senior Member
Location
Boston, MA
In Massachusetts, we have 527 CMR 31 as our relevantly new Carbon Monoxide regulations for all dwelling structures. I'm told that other states have regulations as well. I'd be interested in seeing some of these and comparing them to what we have here in Mass. When I good CO regulations or Carbon Monoxide Regulations, all I get is the Mass regulation. Can anyone point me to another states regulation on this subject.

Thanks,

Mike
 
To date, the state of Florida has no provisions for protection against CO poisoning in either the building codes or state statutes. Last year, a senator proposed some legislation on generator manufacturer's mandating more visible CO warning signs on the units themselves, but it has no made much of an impact.

There are currently 3 separate proposals to the 2007 FBC regarding CO alarms. (One happens to be mine) There are at least 10 states and 35 different municipalities in the US with carbon monoxide detection and alarm requirements. The states include Alaska, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Texas.
 
Awesome!

Awesome!

Bryon,

You're one of the reasons I love this web site. I've had a hard time finding the info you just rattled off. Thank you.

And good for you for being an active voice in getting a regulation in Florida.

In MA it took a high profile death of a child to light a fire under the legislature. Isn't it ashame that this is often the case with getting safety measures passed.

Thanks again,

Mike
 
Ma Co

Ma Co

The MA code has good intentions but as Mike said it was a result of a tragic accident and the legislature decided something needed to get done so they wrote the law themselves w/out any input from engineers, fire departments, etc. I am not sure how much you know about MA politics but they are not the brightest bulbs on the circuit...not everybody(including local FDs) are not happy with this law.
 
Here is what the Utah state amendment requires:

(F)907.2.10.2 Carbon monoxide alarms. Carbon monoxide alarms shall be installed on each habitable level of a dwelling unit or sleeping unit in Groups R-2, R-3, R-4 and I-1 equipped with fuel burning appliances.
(F)907.2.10.3. Power source. In new construction, required alarms shall receive their primary power from the building wiring where such wiring is served from a commercial source and shall be equipped with a battery backup. Alarms shall emit a signal when the batteries are low. Wiring shall be permanent and without a disconnecting switch other than as required for overcurrent protection.
Exception: Alarms are not required to be equipped with battery backup in Group R-1 where they are connected to an emergency electrical system.
23
(F)907.2.10.4 Interconnection. Where more than one alarm is required to be installed with an individual dwelling unit in Group R-2, R-3, or R-4, or within an individual sleeping unit in Group R-1, the alarms shall be interconnected in such a manner that the activation of one alarm will activate all of the alarms in the individual unit. The alarm shall be clearly audible in all bedrooms over background noise levels with all intervening doors closed. Approved combination smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors shall be permitted.
Click to expand...

Utah has also amended the IRC to have similar requirements.

Chris
 
120V CO detectors

120V CO detectors

My understanding is that the CO devices that are most often being put in to satisfy the various, new, state regulations are of the chemical sensing type. These might be effective for as little as 2 years. This despite the fact that the test circuit will continue to tell you that every thing is A OK. Wonder what the electorate who fought for these regulations in the various states would have to say if they knew this!

I know solid state devices are expensive and require 24V systems or tie into the 24V system that already there (fire alarm system) but if anybody is serious about CO detection, that's what you need.

Imagine the law suite several years from now, when this is discovered the hard way. i.e. the hardest, most permanent way!

Mike

PS: Our state government is structured horribly now that you mention it. There are two people with the real power, the speaker of the house and senate leader. If these two know they don't have the votes to pass something they want, they have the power to see that it doesn't go to a vote. If the rest of the legislature or a majority want a bill, but these guys don't, they have the power to not let it go to a vote.

And they wonder why Mitt Romney wasn't able to do very much here. But I digress!
 
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