1	CARVER FIRE DEPARTMENT Massachusetts Carbon Monoxide Alarm Requirements
2	Introduction Background: CO associated with 500 non-fire related deaths each year 60% of deaths from motor vehicle exhast 40% of deaths from consumer products
3	Properties of Carbon Monoxide Odorless, colorless, tasteless, non-irritating gas Virtually undetectable without specialized equipment A natural by-product of incomplete combustion from equipment burning carbon based fossil fuels such as: Gasoline Wood Coal Propane Oil Methane
4	Properties of Carbon Monoxide Flammable gas Auto ignition temperature = 1128° F Lower Explosive Limit 12.5% Upper Explosive Limit 74% Vapor Density of .968 Slightly less than that air CO will rise with warm air CO disperses evenly once it cools
5	Possible Sources of CO Attached garages with running automobiles Cooking and heating appliances Improperly vented Not serviced Inefficient/improper operation
6	Health Hazards A “silent killer”: CO will kill before its presence is known No early warning signs Displaces O2 in the bloodstream Victims die from asphyxiation
7	Health Hazards Absorbed into the body through lungs Transferred to the blood Combines with hemoglobin to become carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) CO poisoning is measured by the % of COHb in the blood
8	Health Hazards Individual CO poisoning levels depend on several factors Initial COHb concentration Concentration of CO inhaled Length of exposure Activity while inhaling CO Body size and physiological factors
9	Legislative Highlights Carbon Monoxide (CO) alarms shall be equipped in all residential structures that contain: Fossil Fuel Burning Equipment, or Have Enclosed Parking
10	Legislative Highlights Establishes minimum CO protection requirements Grants regulatory authority to BFPR. To implement law with necessary technical details Creates landlord maintenance obligations Dovetailed with State Sanitary Code Requirements
11	Legislative Highlights Creates Fire Department Inspection requirements On sale or transfer Modifies the existing inspection fee structure for smoke detector and carbon monoxide inspections Allows BBRS to create stricter standards for new or substantially renovated buildings
12	Legislative Highlights Establishes Compliance Deadlines 3-31-06 (non-hard wired -- battery/plug-in) 1-1-07 (hardwire & state owned buildings and local housing authorities
13	31.02: Definitions Adjacent Spaces: any area, space, room or dwelling unit located directly next to, below or above any area space, room or dwelling unit that contains fossil fuel burning equipment.
14	31.02: Definitions Centralized Fossil Fuel Burning Equipment (CFFBE): Area or room that contains: Central heating plant, hot water heater, a combustion driven generator or fire pump, central laundry area, roof mounted air handling unit or similar purposes that emits CO as a by product of combustion Does not allow for air exchange between CFFBE and dwelling units or common areas.
15	31.02: Definitions Carbon Monoxide Alarm Protection: Battery powered with battery monitoring – chirp indicator (includes wireless battery) Plug-in with battery back up – not allowed on a switched circuit AC (hard wired) w/ battery back up Low voltage or wireless alarms Qualified Combination smoke/CO units
16	31.02: Definition Combination Appliance – a combination smoke detector and carbon monoxide alarm with battery back up. Can be battery or ac hardwired depending upon application Photoelectric or Ionization Employ both simulated voice and tone alarm Clearly distinguishes between CO and Smoke Complies with NFPA 720, 5.3.4 Ionization must maintain 20 ft rule
17	31.02: Definitions Enclosed Parking: An area or room enclosed within the overall building or structure that is designed or used for the parking of vehicles.
18	31.02: Definitions Habitable – shall mean that portion of a cellar or basement or attic that is designed, used and furnished for living purposes
19	31.02: Definitions Fossil Fuel Burning Equipment: any device, apparatus or appliance which is designed or used to consume fuel of any kind which emits carbon monoxide as a by-product of combustion Examples: oil, gas, wood, coal, LPG, pellet, corn-husks
20	31.02: Definitions Residential Structures: shall include any dwelling, building or structure classified as use group R-2 through R-5, as defined by the State Building Code and those unclassified occupancies that have similar characteristics. Examples: single/multiple dwellings, apartment buildings, Condos, Licensed Group Homes.
21	31.03: General Installation Provisions Building Code can create more stringent requirements for new/substantial renovations. The fire department will inspect to more stringent requirement. The CO alarm required for unvented appliances or gas appliances (527 CMR or 248 CMR) is considered acceptable to meet the regulations as long as the CO detector is located in accordance with this regulation.
22	31.04: Specific Installation Requirements Residential Structures: Effective March 31, 2006 every residential structure that presently or in the future contains Fossil Fuel Burning Equipment or has enclosed parking shall be equipped by the owner, landlord or superintendent, with working and listed Carbon Monoxide Alarm Protection.
23	31.04: Specific Installation Requirements A Single Station Carbon Monoxide Alarm shall be located in each level of each Dwelling Unit including Habitable portions of basements, cellars and attics, but not including crawl spaces. The method of installation of the unit shall be in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. When mounting a carbon monoxide alarm on a level of a Dwelling Unit with a sleeping area, the alarm shall be installed in the immediate vicinity of the sleeping area, not to exceed 10 ft. as measured in any direction from any bedroom door.
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27	31.04: Specific Installation Requirements Alternative Compliance Option May be a more practical option for larger buildings with limited or no FFBE in each Dwelling Unit Requires a more sophisticated system Targets the Sources of CO: Areas or rooms containing Centralized Fossil Fuel Burning Equipment and all Adjacent Spaces and/or Adjacent Spaces of Enclosed Parking Also: any dwelling unit
28	31.02: Definitions (review) Adjacent Spaces: any area, space, room or dwelling unit located directly next to, below or above any area space, room or dwelling unit that contains fossil fuel burning equipment.
29	31.04: Specific Installation Requirements Alternative Compliance Option (CFFBE) Employ CO protection in all CFFBE rooms and adjacent spaces with single station CO alarms meeting UL 2034 or 2075 using either ac or low voltage systems, in accordance with the mfg’s instructions. Required to be monitored as a supervisory signal (trouble alarm) “Carbon Monoxide Alarm” signal (as per 720 NFPA 5.3.9) Supervisory signal is required to be retransmitted to a constantly attended location. Retransmission to the fire department dispatch center is at the discretion of the Head of the Fire Department (as per 720 NFPA 5.3.9.3 (1)
30	31.04: Specific Installation Requirements Alternative Compliance Option (Enclosed parking) In all adjacent spaces of Enclosed Parking employ single station CO alarms meeting UL 2034 or 2075 using either ac or low voltage systems, in accordance with the mfg’s instructions.
31	31.04: Specific Installation Requirements Required to be monitored as a supervisory signal (trouble alarm) “Carbon Monoxide Alarm” signal (as per 720 NFPA 5.3.9) Supervisory signal is required to be retransmitted to a constantly attended location. Retransmission to the fire department dispatch center is at the discretion of the Head of the Fire Department (as per 720 NFPA 5.3.9.3 (1)
32	31.04: Specific Installation Requirements Alternative Compliance Option (Enclosed parking) CO Alarm Protection shall also be installed in any dwelling unit the contains FFBE in accordance with 31.04 (1)(a) and (b). Written Notification of Hard Wire Option: The owner shall provide written notification to the Head of the Fire Department by May 15, 2006 of the intent to install protection by 1/1/07. This submission shall be deemed consent by the owner to be inspected on or before 1/1/07.
33	31.05: Inspection and Maintenance Requirements Head of the Fire Department enforces provisions including inspection upon sale or transfer Does not limit the fire department from taking action after effective implementation dates
34	31.06: Landlord Duties Owner, landlord, or superintendent At a Minimum: maintain, test, repair or replace, if necessary every CO alarm upon renewal of any lease term for any dwelling unit or on an annual basis which ever is more frequent Batteries: replaced annually Exception – low voltage batteries. Follow NFPA 720
35	31.07: Hearing Impaired Consideration Refers to the Architectural Access Board, 521 CMR, for standards.
36	Phase #2: Anticipated CO Regulatory Action Regulations under consideration Effective Date: 1-1-07 Anticipates application to R-1, I-1, I-2, and I-3 use groups Examples: Hotels, hospitals, nursing homes, jails Anticipate method that targets CO Sources Anyone interested in these areas contact the OSFM Scheduling meetings with groups that are anticipated to be affected.
37	Resources www.mass.gov/dfs Consumers Guide www.nfpa.org www.firstalert.com www.kiddeus.com www.cpsc.gov
38	Questions? Thank you !
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