Still a Great Deal of Confusion Regarding New Carbon Monoxide Requirements in New York State

Media Release

WATERTOWN, N.Y., March 23, 2010  —  With Amanda’s Law now in effect in New York State, many residence are still questioning what is required, and what they may need to do to come into compliance with the new requirements for carbon monoxide (CO) detection. 

First, it is important to recognize that these new requirements are for RESIDENTIAL occupancies and do not include non-residential property uses such as businesses, mercantile, storage, educational, and the like.  With this in mind, nearly all residential housing units (single family, duplex, townhomes, multi-family) will need to install CO detection to come into compliance with the law. 

Basically, the legislature separates households into two classes.  Houses build prior to January 1, 2008 (existing) and those constructed after January 1, 2008 (new). 

The majority of people will be included in the “existing” class - meaning that their homes were constructed before January 1, 2008.  For these people, the requirements are pretty simple.  You must have at least one CO detector in each unit - located on the lowest level of the home containing a sleeping area (an area where people sleep).  This unit can be battery operated, plug-in, or hard wired, and you should follow the manufacturer’s specifications to help you place the unit.  Units should not be placed in garages, bathrooms, or mechanical rooms or near the openings into these areas. 

If you have a newer home – constructed after January 1, 2008 – you will need to place CO detectors on each level of the home containing a sleeping area, as well as on each level of the home that contains a potential CO source.  Again, avoid placing CO units in garages, bathrooms, or mechanical rooms or near the openings into these areas.

In these newer homes, CO detectors must be hard wired – and where more than one unit is required to be installed, they must be interconnected so that the activation of any unit sets off the entire system of CO detectors. 

The current law does NOT require units to be installed in bedrooms. However, the area of the bedrooms can be a good place to put your CO detector as the majority of CO deaths seem to occur when people are sleeping.  It is important to place your CO detector where it can be heard over normal background noise and potential barriers like closed bedroom doors. 

If you have any questions – no matter where you may live – please feel free to contact out office at 785-7809, and we would be happy to assist you in any way that I can. 

by Todd DeMar, Watertown Fire Department's Prevention Chief 



Official: NNYFire.com


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