CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR REQUIREMENTS

FOR RESIDENTIAL DWELLINGS

 

 

All residential dwellings in the state of Massachusetts with fossil- fuel burning appliances or enclosed parking areas must have installed approved Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detectors by March 31, 2006.  Existing dwellings prior to March 31, 2006 will have the option of installing any of the following:

 

-          Battery operated with battery monitoring; or

-          Plug-in with battery back-up; or

-          Hard-wired with battery back-up; or

-          Low voltage system; or

-          Wireless; or

-          Qualified combination (smoke/ carbon monoxide alarm)

 

 

Specific locations and requirements will be:

 

-          On every level of the home including habitable portions of basements and attics.

-          On levels with sleeping areas, the alarms must be placed within ten feet of the bedroom doors.

-          Approved combination detectors must have simulated voice and tone alarms to distinguish between the different emergencies.

-          Approved combination detectors must be of the photo- electric type if installed within twenty feet of a kitchen or bath.

 

 

Alternative compliance option:

 

            The regulations allows for alternative compliance options that may be more practical in larger buildings with multiple dwelling units that contain minimal or no sources of CO inside the units.  The option allows owners to target the CO alarm protection only in areas that could be potential; sources of CO.

 

-          Installation of carbon monoxide alarms in and adjacent to rooms that contain boilers, hot water heaters, and central laundry areas, in addition to enclosed parking areas.

-          Carbon monoxide alarms are required to be hard- wired or low voltage

-          Carbon monoxide alarms are required to be monitored and may require signal transmission

-          The deadline for alternative compliance is January 1, 2007.  The owner is also required to submit to the fire department, written intent to install CO alarms under alternative compliance.

 

 

Specific questions regarding carbon monoxide detectors should be directed to a fire prevention officer for clarification.

 

 

 

** This document is to be used as a guideline and is not all- inclusive of all requirements of carbon monoxide detectors