Carbon Monoxide Detectors Now a Must for Escondido Homes

July 1^st marks the day that Escondido home owners are required to install Carbon Monoxide Detectors. Carbon monoxide detectors can prevent further increase of death toll and injuries due to carbon monoxide exposure.

According to the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 500 people get killed and 20,000 people get injured due to carbon monoxide annually. To counteract this, California legislature SB 183 (Lowenthal) was recently approved in order to decrease these incidences. This Senate Bill orders Escondido real estate homeowners to install carbon monoxide detection devices. The dwelling units targeted are those that have these: Fuel-burning heater(natural or propane gas), fuel-burning appliances (natural or propane gas), fossil fuel, fireplace, and/or attached garage.

These are the types of "fossil fuel"- coal, kerosene, wood, oil, petroleum gases, fuel gases, and hydrocarbon products that emit carbon monoxide.

Places where the Carbon Monoxide Devices should be installed:

As of July 1, 2011

E Single-Family Dwellings- dwellings having Fuel-burning heater(natural or propane gas), fuel-burning appliances (natural or propane gas), fossil fuel, fireplace, and/or attached garage.

As of July 1, 2013

Duplex
Lodging house
Hotel
Dormitory
Motel
Condominium
Time-share project
Stock cooperative
Dwelling unit in a multiple-dwelling unit building or buildings

The Office of the State Fire Marshal (SFM) has provided a list of certified CO devices that meet the specific requirements within the Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention (Act of 2010). Please visit http://osfm.fire.ca.gov/licensinglistings/licenselisting_bml_searchcotest.php for the complete and updated list of approved.

Added details that are within the Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention (Act of 2010):

Owners should install Carbon Monoxide devices in a manner corresponding with building standards applicable to further development and/or construction for the type of occupancy if it is technically viable. Please see the 2010 California Building Code, Section 420.4, and the 2010 California Residential Code, Section R315.

Carbon Monoxide devices shall produce distinct audible alarm
Carbon Monoxide devices may be combined with a smoke detector, if the combination device meets all specified SFM listing and approval requirements.
A local enforcement agency shall provide the property owner a 30-day notice to correct.
Violation of Health & Safety Code Section 17926 is an infraction punishable by a maximum fine of two-hundred dollars for each offense.
Local jurisdictions are authorized to adopt ordinances requiring CO devices if the ordinance is consistent with the requirement of this bill.

For Escondido real estate homeowners, please take time to review the Department of Housing and Community Development's Information Bulletin 2011-01. For complete list of this legislation visit http://www.hcd.ca.gov/codes/shl/infobulls/IB2011-01.pdf.