March 2006– In November of 2005, Governor Mitt Romney signed “Nicole’s Law” which places certain requirements on owners of all residential properties to install and maintain carbon monoxide (CO) alarms.
The Board of Fire Prevention Regulations has developed the regulations (527 CMR 31.00) establishing the specific requirements of the Law including the type, location, maintenance and inspection requirements for the alarms.
Who is impacted by this Law?
Generally speaking anyone who owns residential property regardless of size (i.e. 1 & 2 family homes, multi family homes, apartments, condominiums, Townhouses, etc.) that contains fossil burning fuel equipment (i.e. Oil, gas, wood, coal, etc.) OR contains enclosed parking (i.e. Attached Garage or Enclosed garage) in Massachusetts, is required to install CO alarms by March 31, 2006.
Provisions of New Regulations for CO Detectors
For buildings and all residences, regardless of size, with fossil-fuel burning equipment or enclosed parking areas, the new regulations require carbon monoxide detectors on every level of the home and within ten feet of each sleeping area and in habitable portions of basements and attics. The CO detectors may be:
· Battery operated with battery monitoring; or
· Plug-ins with battery back-up; or
· Hard-wired with battery backup; or
· Low voltage system; or
· Wireless, or
· Qualified combination (smoke/carbon monoxide alarm)
Acceptable combination smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms must have simulated voice and tone alarms that clearly distinguish between the two types of emergencies. The State Building Code mandates that only photoelectric combination alarms are permitted within twenty feet of a bathroom or kitchen.
All affected residences must install approved carbon monoxide alarms by March 31, 2006, although, where hard-wired systems are required, the deadline is January 1, 2007.
Fire Marshal Coan indicated that the board is continuing to develop additional CO alarm requirements for certain transient residential buildings such as hotels and motels, in addition to requirements for certain institutional buildings. It is anticipated that the regulations for these types of buildings will be promulgated in the very near future in order to meet the statutes January 1, 2007 deadline.
Any Questions please contact Fire Prevention at 978-692-5542.
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