What Should You Know about Required Carbon Monoxide Alarms
in Multi-Family Dwellings?

The State of California has enacted new legislation (CA Senate Bill SB 183) regarding Carbon Monoxide Alarms.  In 2013 Multi-Family dwellings will be affected by this legislation that will require that CO Alarms be installed.  Here is the law in a nut shell:

Effective July 1st, 2011:

All existing single family dwellings that contain a fossil fuel burning heater or appliance, fireplace, or an attached garage must install carbon monoxide alarms.

All other existing dwellings (multi-family) shall comply by January 1, 2013.

CO alarms must be either battery powered or plug-in with battery backup.

CO alarms must be installed outside of sleeping areas and on every level of a dwelling, including the basement.

Landlords, property managers and property management companies should plan to install detectors in the properties they manage or rent out as they will be required installation.

There are a couple of important points to this that may not be immediately apparent.
                 a.    These CO Alarms will not substitute for Smoke Alarms.  
                 b.    There are approved units that will do both CO and Smoke Alarm but both areas will need to be covered by an approved method.

The cost to install a CO alarm that is battery operated is approximately $50.00 each.  If the CO alarm needs to be hard wired then the cost is approx. $135.00 for each one installed.  A battery operated combination CO and Smoke alarm installed is approx. $65.00 each.