FBC proposal for CO alrams

Status
Not open for further replies.
B

bphgravity

Senior Member
Location
Florida
Here is a rough draft of a proposal I am considering for the FBC. Any comments or opinions?

Text of Modification [additions underlined; deletions stricken]:

Revise Section Title: Section R313 Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Alarms.

New Sections and Text: R313.3 Carbon Monoxide Alarms. At least one carbon monoxide alarm shall be installed in the immediate vicinity of the bedroom(s) on the lowest floor level of the dwelling unit containing bedroom(s).

All carbon monoxide alarms shall be listed and installed in accordance with the provisions of this code and the provisions of NFPA 720.

R313.4 Power Source. Carbon monoxide alarms are permitted to be permanently connected to the building wiring when such wiring is served from a commercial source or shall receive power from one or more batteries.

Where a battery is employed as a main supply, its depletion below the level at which an alarm signal would be obtained shall be indicated by a distinctive audible trouble signal that persists for at least seven days.

Carbon monoxide alarms are not to be used as a substitute or in lieu of the smoke alarms required in this section.


Fiscal Impact Statement [Provide documentation of the costs and benefits of the proposed modifications to the code for each of the following entities. Cost data should be accompanied by a list of assumptions and supporting documentation. Explain expected benefits.]:

A. Impact to local entity relative to enforcement of code: Minimal. The code already requires the installation of similar devices such as smoke alarms. No additional training would be required or time allotted for inspections of CO devices.


B. Impact to building and property owners relative to cost of compliance with code: CO alarms cost in a range of $25 for the most basic units to as high as $55 for combination type and digital devices.


C. Impact to industry relative to cost of compliance with code: The state of Florida construction industry currently builds an average of 165,000 homes per year. At an average cost of $40 dollars per home for CO alarms, the fiscal impact could be as high as 6.5 million dollars per year.


Rationale [Provide an explanation of why you would like this Proposed Modification to the Florida Building Code.]:

Carbon Monoxide is an odorless, colorless, tasteless, and highly poisonous gas that can cause ill-effects at concentrations of only 50 ppm. The Journal of American Medical Association estimates approximately 1,600 deaths each year to CO poisoning in the US. The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that 200-300 persons die each year to equipment/ventilation malfunction of fuel burning household appliances. Over 10,000 are diagnosed each year with CO-related injuries. Based on this information, it appears many more people die each year from CO poisoning than those that do from electrocution.

In Florida alone, the use of portable generators resulted in the death of 18 persons in 2001, 40 in 2002, and 36 in 2003. 6 persons died in the state of Florida following the 2004 hurricane season from CO poisoning, 4 following the 2005 hurricane season. 167 persons were hospitalized in Florida following the 2004 hurricane season

More than 50% of CO deaths are persons of 65 and older. The major symptoms of CO poisoning are commonly misdiagnosed in the elderly. Florida has the largest number of 65 and older persons in the US.

Since the year 2000, sales of portable generators have been increasing. In 2004 alone, 380,000 units were sold in the US to households. The cost of portable generators has been steadily decreasing over this same period.

Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the exhaust produced by the typical 5.5 kW generator contains as much CO as six idling automobiles.

96% (160) of all non-fatal and 5 of the fatal incidents of CO poisoning following the 2004 hurricane season were directly related to gasoline-powered generators. The CDC reports that 17.5% of Florida households used a portable generator after at least one of the 2004 hurricanes. Medical records from patients indicated that generators were installed in garages, in porches, and within the home to protect the units from weather or from being stolen. Other locations included near open windows and near room air conditioners (window-mounted units).


Hurricanes seasons since 2000 are lasting longer and producing more intense and more land falling storms. In 2002 there were 14 named storms and 4 hurricanes, in 2003 there were 21 named storms and 7 hurricanes, in 2004 there were 16 named storms and 9 hurricanes ? 6 storms directly effecting Florida, in 2005 there were 27 named storms, 15 hurricanes, seven major hurricanes of Category 3 or higher with 6 having a US landfall.


Please explain how the proposed modification meets the following requirements:

1. Has a reasonable and substantial connection with the health, safety, and welfare of the general public: Yes, see the above substantiation.

2. Strengthens or improves the code, and provides equivalent or better products, methods, or systems of construction: Yes, adds a needed safeguard for public safety.

3. Does not discriminate against materials, products, methods, or systems of construction of demonstrated capabilities: Yes

4. Does not degrade the effectiveness of the code: Yes, meets the purpose of the code as stated in Section R101.3 of the Florida Residential Code.
Click to expand...
 
By the way,

There are at least 10 states in the US that have enacted state wide carbon monoxide laws including Alaska, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Texas.

There are at least 35 municipalities in the US that have enacted carbon monoxide detection and alarm requirements.

(Per the Carbon Monoxide Manufacturers Group of the NEMA Signaling, Protection, and Communications Product Group.)
 
This has been brought National before by the Utah chapter of ICC and was rejected for the 2003 cycle. It is being brought National again for the 2006 cycle by the Utah chapter, and I think that once again it will be rejected.

Regarding your proposal to the Florida code:
1) Why not have an excpetion to permit a combination smoke alarm/CO alarm, since they are redily available?

2) Why not require it to be tied in with the smoke alarms, so that the alarm initiates the smoke alarms as well?

3) Why on the lowest floor level? Carbon Monoxide has a vapor density of 0.97, which makes it slightly lighter than air.

4) What about the other levels of the house? If I have a gas furnace in the basement, a gas range on the main floor and a gas dryer on the upper floor, your proposal doesn't help.

5) Why the bedrooms?

6)
Where a battery is employed as a main supply, its depletion below the level at which an alarm signal would be obtained shall be indicated by a distinctive audible trouble signal that persists for at least seven days
Click to expand...
Is there such a device?
 
For comparison here is a run down of the MA law.

Provisions of New Regulations for CO Detectors

For buildings with fossil-fuel burning equipment or enclosed parking areas, the new regulations require carbon monoxide detectors on every level of the home and within ten feet of each sleeping area and in habitable portions of basements and attics. The CO detectors may be:

Battery operated with battery monitoring; or
Plug-ins with battery back-up; or
Hard-wired with battery backup; or
Low voltage system; or
Wireless, or
Qualified combination (smoke/carbon monoxide alarm)

Acceptable combination smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms must have simulated voice and tone alarms that clearly distinguish between the two types of emergencies. The State Building Code mandates that only photoelectric combination alarms are permitted within twenty feet of a bathroom or kitchen.
Click to expand...
 
Thanks for the replies.

I will try to answer all your questions Ryan:

1. That would be fine. I don't think there is anything in the language of the proposal that would restrict that method of compliance, however I could amend the wording a bit to indicate that.

2. That would great too.

3. I basically took that wording from the New York Fire Code requirement on CO alarm installation.

4. I don't know. I will have to consider that. The installation requirements is basically as described by the NEW YORK fire code, the instructions from one manufacturer I purchased an alarm from and NEMA / NFPA 720 recommendations.

5. My research indicated that many people succumb to CO poisoning while sleeping at night.

6. Yes. This requirement is actually specified by UL 2034.

Thanks to both of you for providing something to work with!
 
Bryan,

I didn't have time to digest your entire proposal, but MA has 2 new CO regulations. What I wonder in MA, and I'd ask you, why not just adopt NFPA 720 requirements?

I'll read your proposal in detail later and offer more comments.

thanks,

John
 
Bryan
NYS has quite an extensive proposal in for CO detectors. I will try to find the page and email it to you. I ran across the page when I was searching for something else. I was quite surprised at how much of a change it would be if it is adopted.
 
For rental units, hardwiring w/battery backup should probably be required. Tenents are notorious for stealing the batteries out of battery only powered smoke detectors.
 
My county office of emergency managment has released this years "ALL HAZARD GUIDE" which provides information for everything from hurricanes to terrorism. One particular article covers generator safety. Here is one interesting quote:


quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After Hurricane Charley, the Cape Coral Fire Department conducted over 400 safety inspections of households in the City using generators. One-fourth of the homes had potentially dangerous levels of Carbon Monoxide in their houses, and ten people required hospital treatment.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Just some more food for thought... Here is the link to the article:

http://www.charlottecountyfl.com/Emergency/2005AllHazardsGuide/Generator Safety.htm
 
CO detectors should have (required in NY) a distinctly different audible alarm than smoke detectors, so tieing them into the smokes would not be a good idea.

I have not looked for the proposal on CO detectors for NY, but I remember it as being pretty strict and much more encompassing...NY State has had its fair share of CO deaths in the last few years and I guess the proposer wants more prevention measures added.
 
An update:

Nelson: New generator labels will save lives
Media Release
May 24, 2006

WASHINGTON – With the start of hurricane season just a week away, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson lauded today’s unveiling of new generator warning labels aimed at protecting consumers from injuries and deaths caused by carbon monoxide poisoning.

In a letter sent today to Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Chairman Hal Stratton, Nelson said the move to update generator safety labels could save many lives. “This is a key step towards reducing the number of deaths associated with portable generator use,” Nelson wrote.

It was Nelson who, late last year, criticized the CPSC for failing to enact mandatory safety standards for portable generators. At the time Nelson chided the agency for ignoring alarming increases in deaths caused by generator use and for failing to heed its own experts’ advice. A staff review undertaken by the commission in 2003 recommended the use of conspicuous labels to better inform the public of the threat posed by using generators indoors or in poorly ventilated areas.

The commission’s inaction prompted Nelson to file legislation in December requiring warning labels on generators and emergency shut-off devices. Nelson said he still wants the commission to require the use of emergency switches that shut off generators when carbon monoxide levels reach dangerous levels.

The new generator warning label unveiled today by the commission contains an ominous warning to consumers: “Using a generator indoors WILL KILL YOU IN MINUTES.” The improved labels will appear on newly manufactured generators that receive Underwriters Laboratories (UL) certification. Giant retailers, Wal-Mart and Home Depot have also planned generator displays highlighting the new labels.
Click to expand...
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top