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Carbon Monoxide Alarm Detector Act - (Jan 1, 2007) 
The "Carbon Monoxide Alarm Detector Act" is a new state law that will go into effect on January 1, 2007. It will require all residences (single family & multi family dwelling units) to have carbon monoxide detectors installed. The law applies to both new and existing properties with few exceptions. Who is impacted by this law?Generally speaking anyone who owns residential property regardless of size (i.e., 1-& 2- family homes, multi family buildings, apartments, condos, townhouses, etc.) that contains fossil burning fuel equipment (i.e., oil, gas, wood, coal, etc.) OR contains enclosed parking (i.e., attached or enclosed garages). What do I have to do?Install CO alarms on every level of your home except for basements and attics that do not have habitable living spaces (i.e., family rooms, dens, etc.). Where do I have to put these CO alarms?In most residences, CO alarms are required to be located on every level of a home or dwelling unit including habitable portions of basements and attics. On levels with sleeping areas the alarms must be placed within 15 feet of the bedroom doors. CO alarms do not go inside garages, but in the adjacent living areas. 
What kind of CO alarms are allowed?There are several types of alarms that are allowed:
What am I required to do if I'm a landlord?The owner of the property must supply and install all required alarms. The owner must provide the tenant with written information regarding testing and maintenance and must make sure the batteries in the CO alarm are in operating condition when the tenant takes possession of the dwelling unit. The tenant must take responsibility to test and provide general maintenance for the alarms; notify the owner or owner's agent in writing of any deficiencies the tenant can not correct and allow the owner or the owner's agent access to the dwelling unit to correct any deficiencies in the CO alarm reported in writing to the owner or agent. Why do I have to do this?Carbon monoxide (CO), known as the Invisible Killer, is a colorless, odorless, poisonous gas that results from incomplete burning of fuels such as natural gas, propane, oil, wood, coal, and gasoline. Each year many people die from accidental CO poisoning and thousands more are injured. This law was passed to protect all of us from the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning. Failure to install or maintain a CO detector is a Class B misdemeanor. Tampering with, removing, destroying, disconnecting, or removing the batteries from any installed CO alarm is a Class A misdemeanor in the case of the first conviction and a class 4 felony in the case of a second subsequent conviction. What are Qualified combination detectors and alarms?Acceptable combination smoke detectors and CO alarms must have simulated voice and tone alarms that clearly distinguish between the two types of emergencies. If you have any questions about various types of alarms, please contact the fire department. 
How do I know if I have CO poisoning?The first symptoms of CO poisoning are similar to the flu (without the fever).
If you think you have symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning or your CO alarm is sounding, contact 911 and leave the building immediately.
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Sugar Grove Fire Protection District
