Carbon Monoxide Alarms – Maryland Rental Properties
In 2016, the Maryland General Assembly passed House Bill
0849 and its companion Senate Bill 0182. Both bills require the installation of
carbon monoxide alarms for any new and existing rental dwelling units. This includes any type of dwelling unit that can be rented to an individual or
family.
This legislation requires that a carbon monoxide alarm (CO) be
installed outside of each sleeping area and on every level to include the
basement in a building that contains any fuel burning equipment, wood burning
appliance or has an enclosed attached garage. They are not required in rental
dwelling units that are powered solely by an electric power supply.
Carbon monoxide alarms can be hardwired with a battery backup, battery
powered that has a ten year battery with a sealed tamper resistant compartment
or connected to an on-site control unit that monitors the carbon monoxide
alarm remotely so that a responsible party is alerted when the device activates
the alarm signal and receives its primary power from a battery or the control
unit. Our recommendation for multi-family units is to replace the current hard
wired smoke alarm with a combination smoke alarm/carbon monoxide alarm unit. The applicable
requirements of Title 9 of the Public Safety Article regarding the installation
of smoke detection systems would still apply for this installation.
The installation of the carbon monoxide alarms
shall be in accordance with the manufacturers recommendations and NFPA 720 for
the Installation of Carbon Monoxide Warning Equipment in Dwelling Units. Carbon monoxide alarms must
be listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory that is approved by the
Office of the State Fire Marshal.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless,
tasteless, and potentially toxic gas that is produced by the incomplete
combustion of liquid fuels, solid fuels, or natural gases. Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause symptoms similar to the flu, such
as: headache, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, and irritability. High concentrations of CO can cause
vomiting, loss of consciousness, and even death. Carbon monoxide poisoning can occur in small
amounts over a long period of time and in large amounts in a short period of
time.
Although earlier is highly recommended, carbon monoxide alarms must be
installed in all rental dwelling units by April 1, 2018.
The
Office of the State Fire Marshal is an agency of the Department of
State Police dedicated to helping protect citizens from fire and
explosion through a comprehensive program of education,
inspection, investigation and fire protection engineering. For more
information on fire safety call 1-800-525-3124, log onto our website at: Maryland State Fire Marshal and/or our Facebook Page.
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