|
Carbon
Monoxide Detectors
There’s
a New State Law Requiring the Installation of Carbon
Monoxide Detectors In Your Home. What Do You Need To Know?
In 2006, the Illinois General Assembly passed a new law
which requires the placement of Carbon Monoxide Detectors
in residences. Find out what you should know about
detectors and your compliance with this law.
Public Act 94-741 mandates that every dwelling unit in
Illinois must be equipped with at least one carbon
monoxide alarm within 15 feet of every room used for
sleeping purposes.
This law is effective January 1, 2007.
WHAT IS CARBON MONOXIDE?
Carbon Monoxide (also known as CO) is a colorless,
odorless, poisonous gas which can cause poisoning when
inhaled. Carbon Monoxide is produced by the
incomplete combustion of organic fossil fuels such as oil,
gas, or coal. In normal conditions, the combustion
process (the addition of oxygen) will result in carbon in
the fossil fuel, combining with oxygen, in the air, to
produce Carbon Dioxide (CO2), the same substance we exhale
when we breathe.
However, if there is a lack of air for the combustion
process or the heating appliance is faulty, Carbon
Monoxide can be produced. When CO is inhaled in the
body it combines with the blood, preventing it from
absorbing oxygen. If a person is exposed to CO over a
period, it can cause illness and even death.
WHAT IS THE MAIN REQUIREMENT UNDER THE NEW LAW?
The new law mandates that every dwelling unit must be
equipped with at least one approved carbon monoxide alarm
in an operating condition within 15 feet of every room
used for sleeping purposes. A dwelling unit, defined
as a room or suite of rooms used for human habitation,
would include a single-family residence as well as each
living unit of a multiple-family residence and each living
unit in a mixed use building.
ARE THERE ANY EXEMPTIONS TO THIS REQUIREMENT?
The law exempts residential units that are in buildings
that: (1) do not rely on combustion of fossil fuel for
heat, ventilation or hot water; and (2) are not connected
in any way to a garage; and (3) are not sufficiently close
to any ventilated source of carbon monoxide. Buildings
that have electric heat are exempt.
ARE THERE ANY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS ABOUT THE TYPE OF
DETECTOR OR ALARM THAT MUST BE USED?
The law allows three different types of alarms to be used
to meet the requirement. The alarm can be
battery-powered, a plug-in style (with battery back-up) or
it can be wired into the AC power line with secondary
battery back-up.
The Carbon Monoxide alarm must bear the label of a
nationally recognized testing laboratory and must comply
with the most recent standards of the Underwriters
Laboratories. Look for the “UL” symbol on the package.
If you are not sure, check with the retailer and read the
description and the instructions on the box containing the
alarm.
CAN YOU USE ONE ALARM SYSTEM TO MEET STATE LAWS THAT
MANDATE BOTH A SMOKE DETECTOR AND A CARBON MONOXIDE
DETECTOR?
YES. The Carbon Monoxide alarm may be combined with the
smoke detector provided that combined unit emits an alarm
in a manner that clearly differentiates the hazard.
GENERALLY, HOW MUCH DO ALARMS COST?
The price range per alarm is $18 to $50 depending on the
features of the alarm. Generally, alarms are available
from hardware stores or larger retailers of home products.
IS THERE A PENALTY IF I DO NOT INSTALL A DETECTOR?
Willful failure to install a detector is a Class B
misdemeanor. Tampering with, or removing, destroying,
disconnecting an alarm (except in inspection or
maintenance) is a Class A misdemeanor. |
