requires ALL homes to have carbon monoxide detectors beginning on February 1,
2011. This new law expands the current carbon monoxide detector requirements to all
one and two family homes and parallels requirements for smoke alarms for ease of
installation. Specifically, this new law will require carbon monoxide alarms to be
installed in the basement of the dwelling and on each floor level except the attic or
storage area of both newly constructed and existing homes. For new construction, the
alarms must be hard-wired in order to be current with national model safety codes. For
existing homes the alarms can be battery operated and can be multipurpose (both smoke
and carbon monoxide). Dwellings with no attached garages, no fireplaces and no fuel
burning appliances are exempted from this requirement.
Also, beginning April 1, 2010, all existing multifamily units are required to have carbon
monoxide detectors. Plug-in alarms are acceptable to comply with this new law in
existing multifamily units.
Where to Place the Detectors
It is important to properly place the smoke detectors in the home. In most locations
throughout the U.S., smoke detectors are required in all new homes. The number and
location are listed below:
Number and Location Requirements
The minimum standard as stated in the National Fire Prevention Association's National
Fire Alarm Code (NFPA 72): There should be a smoke detector on every level of the
house, including the basement and outside every bedroom.
New homes require hard-wired alarms to be interconnected so that if one alarm is
activated, all alarms will sound the alarm signal. New homes require smoke detectors in
every bedroom. On floors without bedrooms smoke alarms should be installed in or near
living areas, such as family rooms and living rooms.
Placement Requirements
As stated by the NFPA: "Since smoke and deadly gases rise, alarms should be placed
on the ceiling at least 4 inches from the nearest wall, or high on a wall, 4-12 inches
from the ceiling. This 4-inch minimum is important to keep alarms out of possible
"dead air" spaces, because hot air is turbulent and may bounce so much it misses
spots near a surface. Installing alarms near a window, door or fireplace is not
recommended because drafts could detour smoke away from the unit. In rooms where
the ceiling has an extremely high point, such as in vaulted ceilings, mount the alarm at
or near the ceiling's highest point."
Additional Guidelines for Installation
If you sleep with your bedroom doors closed, it is recommended that a smoke detector
be installed inside each bedroom. Alarms should also be installed in other areas of
your home where people sleep.
Wired systems should not be connected to a circuit that could be turned off with a wall
switch.
Plug-in systems should have a restraining device at the outlet to prevent the plug from
accidentally coming loose.
Hard-wired systems should be installed by a qualified electrician.
Do not install the smoke detector near windows, doors or forced-air registers where air
flow would interfere with the operation of the detector.
