Carbon Monoxide Detector Laws in Various States

Carbon monoxide detectors are required in private homes in 26 states. This is a carbon monoxide detector that can be purchased for a home rather inexpensively. (Flickr / Creative Commons / HeatherMG)

Tuesday we blogged about the mandatory carbon monoxide detection systems in New York. The law took effect in June 2015, and allowed a one year transition period. With the deadline in June 2016, many businesses still had not installed the mandatory systems. Large businesses need to install hard-wired detection systems, which could cost thousands of dollars, while small businesses can install a plug-in detector that costs around $30. Today we look at the other states to see what kind of laws they have.

What we find is that the laws state legislatures enact vary from every enclosed room needing a detector, to only rooms with smoke detectors needing one, to only group homes and daycare centers needing one.

Thirty states have enacted statutes regarding carbon monoxide detectors, and an additional eleven have put into effect regulations on carbon monoxide detectors as of March 2016. Alaska requires detectors approved by the state fire marshal to be installed in all dwellings. Connecticut, New Hampshire, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, Washington and West Virginia require the detectors to be installed in all new construction. Florida requires it in all new construction and every room with a boiler.

Twenty-six states require carbon monoxide detectors in private homes by a state statute. These include Alaska, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Some states limit the requirement to only those with fossil-fuel burning devices, and some require it upon sale of the building.

California, Connecticut, Illinois, Maine and Maryland require carbon monoxide detectors in schools. Our carbon monoxide poisoning case in Girard, Illinois is the reason that Illinois passed such legislation. Unfortunately, the law had not taken place at the time of the poisoning in our case at Prussing School in Chicago in November of 2015. The law took effect in January of 2016.

Twelve states require carbon monoxide detectors in commercial properties like hotels and motels. You may view more about the state’s statutes here.

Source: Carbon Monoxide Detector Laws in Various States Carbon Monoxide Detector Laws in Various States

The full article can be read here cogashub.com