MA CO requirements

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JohnE

JohnE

Senior Member
Location
Milford, MA
Our plumbing inspector has just given me the latest (1/03/06) MA requirements for CO detectors when sidewall vented gas appliances are installed. If anyone wants them I could fax them. I also have the requirements for all homes beginning 3/31/06 if anyone needs them, too.
 
Re: MA CO requirements

are these listed on the states web site? i just dealt with this on friday and the local inspector(building) could not give me a clear answer on where to put the detector.

Kelley

[ January 15, 2006, 09:41 AM: Message edited by: kelley ]
 
Re: MA CO requirements

Kelley, why are they requiring a detector?

[ January 15, 2006, 09:55 AM: Message edited by: electricmanscott ]
 
Re: MA CO requirements

I'm not sure if they are available on the state website yet, which is why I've offered to forward them to anyone. It's certainly causing a lot of headaches. Right now gas inspector has jurisdiction when therre is a sidewall vented appliance, and Fire department will have jurisdiction on all dwellings when requirements go into effect as of 3/31/06. I hear though that building inspectors will have jurisdiction, too, in the future, as provisions will be adopted into the building code. No specifics on that yet.
 
Re: MA CO requirements

Scott,
Plumber installed a new direct vent gas furnace which requires carbon detector. I called the local building dept to get a location where to install detector (ceiling or other) and they could not give me an answer as to where. I said to him would you accept it on ceiling he said yes so thats is where i installed it.

Kelley
 
Re: MA CO requirements

CO is only about 3% lighter than air, so any CO present will be thoroughly mixed by convection and forced air currents in the home. Ceiling or wall would be equally effective. Since most CO poisonings happen while people are sleeping, outside the bedrooms is probably the best place for a single detector.

Mike
 
Re: MA CO requirements

CO Detectors,
Where- All Residences(where someone sleeps)
1. where fossil fuel is used.
2. if there is an attached garage.
a. exception- if parking garage is open to the air 40% or if there is a seperate monitoring ventilation system.
Location
1. One on every habitable level( including basement)
2. There must be a CO detector within 10' of any bedroom door.
Type- CO must be:
1. Battery Operated
2. plug-in with battery backup
3. ac with battery backup
4.wireless
Buildings with 6 or more units must be hard wired.
When-
1. where battery is allowed - March 31, 2006
2. where hardwire is required- January 2007
3. all public housing- January 2007
Who Will Enforce
1. Local Fire Dept.- at the time of sale or at renewal of lease
2. Health Department- if the landlord is not in compliance, the tenant will be able to withhold any rent due to a violation of the health code.

CO Detectors will have to be replaced every 7 years
The landlord is responsible for maintaining the co detectors and batteries each year.

This is for Mass. only

[ January 19, 2006, 10:35 AM: Message edited by: mattburke ]
 
Re: MA CO requirements

I am a MA electrical contractor and quite familiar with the new CO 2 detector requirements. First, it is part of the plumbing code, it is not in our code and we do not have responsibility for it. You can get your final electrical inspection without a CO 2 detector installed. Occupancy permits will not be held up by the electrician.

I suggest we leave it the responsibility of the plumbers and let them figure it out. They should figure out if they need one and carry a number in their bid to cover this requirement. If they do install one, they will need an electric permit and a licensed electrician to install it. Permit fees are spelled out in the regulation.
 
Re: MA CO requirements

pcoleman, (Paul coleman?) you are right that it is plumbing code, but only for another month and a half. Then it is all us. Just like smoke detectors.
 
Re: MA CO requirements

Originally posted by pcoleman44:
I am a MA electrical contractor and quite familiar with the new CO 2 detector requirements. First, it is part of the plumbing code, it is not in our code and we do not have responsibility for it. You can get your final electrical inspection without a CO 2 detector installed. Occupancy permits will not be held up by the electrician.

I suggest we leave it the responsibility of the plumbers and let them figure it out. They should figure out if they need one and carry a number in their bid to cover this requirement. If they do install one, they will need an electric permit and a licensed electrician to install it. Permit fees are spelled out in the regulation.
Click to expand...
I'd hope that you are talking about replacement systems when you say let the plumbers handle it. In terms of new construction, the electricians are already wiring the heatiing systems, and as Scott said, the smoke detectors. Why wouldn't we want to wire and install the CO's? As long as we're getting paid.
 
Re: MA CO requirements

The point of my post was not to deny the need for a CO2 detector or to say we don't need to install it. It was to say it should be considered an "extra" whoes need was created by another code, not ours. We should do the installation, but be paid over and above any agreed upon price for the job. Either by the builder/contractor or the plumber unless you were instructed by your customer to include it in your quote.
 
Re: MA CO requirements

I agree completely. I've finished many houses in the last 3 months and have been paid to add CO detectors.
 
Re: MA CO requirements

last winter a power venter was covered with snow,and a little kid got poisoned by the cm fumes,,this happened in mass.not sure where,,
i think its a good idea,,
last year on the way up to newhampshire for our anual deer hunting trip,we bought a plug in one for the cabin we were staying in,,
now i take one in my on all my road trips,,
we did'nt want to wake up dead,,,,,,,,
 
Re: MA CO requirements

Originally posted by larryl:
last winter a power venter was covered with snow,and a little kid got poisoned by the cm fumes,,this happened in mass.not sure where,,
Click to expand...
Yes that happened in Plymouth and inspired "Nicole's Law" in memory of 7-year-old Nicole Garofalo, who died after a snowdrift blocked an exhaust vent from her family's propane-fired boiler.

A newspaper account can be seen here
 
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