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Due to inconsistent installation requirements mandated by local governments and a multitude of
questions raised by property owners concerning California’s new carbon monoxide alarm law, the
state Housing and Community Development Department has issued emergency regulations to bring
clarify to the law.
There are a number of exceptions in the regulations concerning the installation requirements, which
owners will find helpful. At the same time, the regulations clarify that the July 1, 2011,
installation date for single family homes only applies to detached homes, not to
condominiums. Here’s a look at some of the clarifications made through the
regulations.
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All single-family detached homes (owner or tenant occupied) must be equipped with an alarm on
or before July 1, 2011.
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All other residential units must be equipped with an alarm on or before January 1,
2013.
As outlined below and with specific exceptions, a carbon monoxide alarm may be battery powered, a
plug-in device with battery backup, or hard-wired into the dwelling unit with a battery
backup.
“Fossil fuel” is defined as coal, kerosene, oil, wood, fuel gases, and other petroleum or
hydrocarbon products, which emit carbon monoxide as a byproduct of
combustion.
An open parking garage as defined in the California Building Code or an enclosed parking garage
ventilated in accordance with the California Mechanical Code shall not be deemed to be an attached
garage.
Exceptions
Rental property owners who have individual dwelling units that do not contain a fuel-burning
appliance or a garage attached directly to the unit, but that are located in a building with a
fuel-burning appliance or a garage attached to the building, need not install a carbon monoxide
alarm if:
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The unit is located more than one story above or below any story that contains a fuel-burning
appliance or an attached garage; and
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The unit is not connected by duct work or ventilation shafts to any room containing a
fuel-burning appliance or to an attached garage; and
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The building is equipped with a common area carbon monoxide alarm system that includes all
enclosed common area spaces.
Carbon Monoxide Alarm Location
Carbon monoxide alarms must be installed and maintained in the following
locations:
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Outside each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms.
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On every level of a dwelling unit, including basements.
Type of Alarms and Power Supply
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Existing Dwelling Units – Carbon monoxide alarms in existing buildings may be solely battery
operated or plug-in type with battery back-up in areas where no construction is taking
place.
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Existing Dwelling Units Where Permit Required – When a permit is required for alterations,
repairs, or additions with a total cost that exceeds $1,000, owners of existing dwellings units
with a fossil fuel-burning heater or appliance, fireplace, or an attached garage shall install
a carbon monoxide alarm that receives their primary power from the building wiring where such
wiring is served from a commercial source and shall be equipped with a battery back-up.
Alarm wiring shall be directly connected to the permanent building wiring without a
disconnecting switch other than as required for overcurrent protection. The requirement
shall apply only in the specific dwelling unit for which the permit was obtained.
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New Construction – New residential units with a fuel-burning appliances or an attached garage
must be equipped with a carbon monoxide alarm. The alarms must receive their primary
power from the building wiring where such wiring is served from a commercial source and shall
be equipped with a battery back-up. Alarm wiring shall be directly connected to the
permanent building wiring without a disconnecting switch other than as required for overcurrent
protection.
Exceptions Power Source:
Where there is no commercial power supply, the carbon monoxide alarm may be solely
battery operated. Alternatively, other power sources recognized for use by National Fire
Protection Association (NFPA) 720 may be used.
In existing dwelling units, a carbon monoxide alarm is permitted to be solely battery operated or
plug-in with a battery backup when the repairs and alterations (for which a permit is required and
which exceed $1,000) do not result in the removal of wall and ceiling finishes. The same
exception applies when work is done to the exterior surfaces of dwellings, such as replacement of
roofing or siding, or the addition or replacement of windows or doors or the addition of a porch or
deck. An exception is also provided when work is done to the plumbing or mechanical systems,
electrical systems, which do not result in the removal of interior wall or ceiling finishes
exposing the structure.
Interconnected Alarms – New Construction and Repairs to Existing
Units
When more than one carbon monoxide alarm is required to be installed within the unit, the alarms
shall be interconnected in a manner that activation of one alarm shall activate all the alarms in
the individual unit.
Exceptions to Interconnected Alarms
– In existing units, interconnected alarms are not required where repairs do not result in the
removal of wall and ceiling finishes and no previous method for interconnection existed.
In existing units, interconnected alarms are not required where no construction is taking
place.
In existing units, interconnected carbon monoxide alarms are not required where repairs or
alterations are limited to the exterior surfaced of dwellings, such as the replacement of roofing
or siding, or the addition or replacement of windows or doors, or the addition of a porch or
deck.
In existing units, interconnected carbon monoxide alarms are not required when works is limited to
the installation, alteration, or repair of plumbing or mechanical systems or the
installation, alteration, or repair or electrical systems, which do not result in the removal
of interior wall or ceiling finishes exposing the structure.
Installation and Maintenance
The carbon monoxide alarm must be operable at the time the tenant takes possession. A tenant is
responsible for notifying the owner or owner's agent if the tenant becomes aware of an inoperable
or deficient carbon monoxide alarm within his or her unit. The owner or owner's agent must correct
any reported deficiencies in the carbon monoxide alarm and will not be in violation of this section
for a deficient or inoperable carbon monoxide detector when he or she has not received notice of
the deficiency or inoperability.
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