What is Senate Bill No. 183 (SB-183)?
SB-183 is also known as the “Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act” This senate bill requires that a carbon monoxide (CO) device be installed in all dwelling units intended for human occupancy.
Featured Carbon Monoxide Detectors and Alarms
Nest Protect Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarm, Battery (2nd gen)
Nest Protect looks for fast-burning fires, smoldering fires, and carbon monoxide. It tells you where the danger is and alerts your phone in case you’re not home.
Kidde KN-COPP-3 Nighthawk Plug-In Carbon Monoxide Alarm with Battery Backup
The Kidde 900-0076-01 Plug-In Carbon Monoxide Alarm utilizes sophisticated electronic components and sensor technology to protect your family from the silent killer, carbon monoxide.
Background
What is Carbon Monoxide and where can I go to receive further information on Carbon Monoxide?
Carbon Monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that is produced from heaters, fireplaces, furnaces, and many types of appliances and cooking devices. It can also be produced from vehicles that are idling. For more information, please see California Fire - Carbon Monoxide and California Fire Carbon Monoxide Fact Sheet PDF.
What is the definition of a dwelling unit?
A dwelling unit is defined as a single-family dwelling, duplex, lodging house, dormitory, hotel, motel, condominium, time-share project, or dwelling unit in a multiple-unit dwelling unit building.
Does a duplex qualify as a single family dwelling?
By definition, a duplex is not considered a single family dwelling.
Are apartments with attached garages with no direct access to the apartment and no fossil fuel appliances required to have a CO alarm?
Yes. The law requires that CO alarms be installed in multi-unit occupancies if there is fossil fuel burning appliances or attached garages. There isn’t an exception for dwellings without direct access from the garage to the living area as CO from the garage can travel through openings and ventilation systems entering into the living space.
If there is a two story apartment building equipped with electric appliances and the building has a common hallway having fossil fuel central heat, is a CO alarm required and where?
Yes. The law requires that CO alarms be installed when fossil fuel appliances are used. Since common areas and hallways leading to the living units can produce CO which could enter the living units by ventilation systems, an alarm would be located within the living unit.
What is the difference between a carbon monoxide alarm and a carbon monoxide detector?
A carbon monoxide alarm is a stand alone unit which is tested to Underwriters Laboratory (UL) Standard 2034 and has its own built-in power supply and audible device. These units are typically installed in your single family dwelling. A carbon monoxide detector is a system unit which is tested to UL Standard 2075 and is designed to be used with a fire alarm system and receives its power from the fire alarm panel.
How many types of CO devices are available?
There are two types of devices available. There are Carbon Monoxide alarms (CSFM category # 5276) and Carbon Monoxide detectors (CSFM category # 5278).
Are CO devices required to be approved by the State Fire Marshal?
Yes. SB-183 prohibits the marketing, distribution, or sale of devices unless it is approved and listed by the State Fire Marshal.
Where can I find a list of CSFM listed carbon monoxide devices?
You can search for CSFM listed carbon monoxide devices here
If someone has a CO device that is not listed by the State Fire Marshal prior to the law, can they maintain it or does it have to be replaced?
The law requires that CO devices to be approved and listed by the State Fire Marshal prior to sale, marketing, or distribution. Existing CO devices installed prior to July 1, 2011 may continue to be utilized.
Is there a plan for a 10 year battery combination smoke/CO alarm?
At this time the CAL FIRE/Office of the State Fire Marshal is not aware of any requirement for a 10 year life battery for CO alarms. However, if the device is a combination battery operated (primary power source) smoke/CO alarm, commencing January 1, 2014, in order for the State Fire Marshal to approve and list the device, the device must display the date of manufacture, provide a place where the date of installation can be written, incorporate a hush feature, incorporate an end-of-life feature providing notice that the device needs to be replaced, and, contain a non-replaceable, non-removable battery that is capable of powering the smoke alarm for a minimum of 10 years as required per Senate Bill 1394 recently chaptered into law.
Effective Date
What is the effective date for installing a CO device?
• For a single-family dwelling having fossil fuel burning appliances and/or attached garages, the effective date is July 1, 2011.
• For all other dwelling units having fossil fuel burning appliances and/or attached garages, the effective date is January 1, 2013.
• For hotels and motels having fossil fuel burning appliances and/or attached garages, the effective date is January 1, 2016.
Installation
Where should CO devices be installed in homes?
CO devices should be installed outside each sleeping areas of the home including the basement. The manufacturer’s installation instruction should also be followed.
Are CO devices that are required by SB-183 to be installed in each room?
No. They are required by SB-183 to be installed outside of each sleeping area. For maximum protection against CO gas, it is recommended that a CO device be installed in each sleeping room.
At what height/location should a CO device be mounted?
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 720, the location for effective performance is not generally dependent on mounting height. The density of carbon monoxide is similar to that of air at room temperature, and carbon monoxide generally mixes readily with air. The manufacturer’s installation instruction should also be followed.
Can I replace my existing smoke detector with a carbon monoxide device?
No. By law, both smoke alarms/detectors and carbon monoxide devices are required to be installed in all dwellings. However, a combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarm/detector will satisfy both requirements.
Enforcement
Who is responsible for enforcing the CO installation requirements?
The CAL FIRE/Office of the State Fire Marshal approved and listed the CO alarms but enforcement of the requirement could fall upon the “Enforcing Agency” as designated by statue or regulations. Normally, a typical enforcing agency is your local fire and/or building department.
How do enforcing agencies gain entry into private single-family residence to enforce the requirements?
California Building Code, Chapter 2 and Health and Safety Code, Section 17920 provide a definition that states, "...diligent effort to secure compliance, including review of plans and permit applications, response to complaints, citation of violations, and other legal process. Except as otherwise provided in this part, "enforcement" may, but need not, include inspections of existing buildings on which no complaint or permit application has been filed, and effort to secure compliance as to these buildings". As always, it is advisable that enforcing agencies consult with their legal counsel regarding the enforcement of these provisions on existing single-family residence.
Who can we contact for additional information?
For other questions, contact your local enforcing agencies, such as local building and fire departments. Regulation information is available on the California Department of Housing and Community Development website. Information on the hazards of carbon monoxide is available from the California Department of Public Health website.
More Approved Carbon Monoxide Detectors and Alarms
First Alert CO910V 10-Year Carbon Monoxide Alarm with Voice Alert, White
The CO910V Carbon Monoxide Alarm features an unprecedented ten year life span that complies with the Current 10-Year Legislation.
First Alert BRK SC-9120B Hardwire Combination Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Alarm with Battery Backup
The BRK SC9120B hardwire combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarm detects two hazards with one simple unit.
Kidde KN-COB-B-LPM Carbon Monoxide Alarm
The Kidde 9CO5-LP battery operated carbon monoxide alarm utilizes sophisticated electronic components to protect you and your family from the dangers of carbon monoxide.
Kidde P3010K-CO Worry-Free Kitchen Photoelectric Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm with 10 Year Sealed Battery
This unit comes equipped with a sealed-in lithium power supply that lasts the entire ten-year life of the alarm and eliminates concerns about battery removal and unauthorized alarm deactivation.
First Alert BRK SC7010BV Hardwired Talking Photoelectric Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm
The First Alert BRK SC7010BV hardwire combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarm with Voice & Location is easy to program with 11 pre-programmed home locations.
First Alert CO615 Dual Power Carbon Monoxide Plug-In Alarm with Battery Backup and Digital Display
The First Alert CO615 carbon monoxide alarm uses an electrochemical carbon monoxide sensor-the most accurate technology available.
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