Carbon Monoxide & Selling Your Home

The General Assembly enacted a new carbon monoxide detector law during the 2001 legislative session. Senator John Celona was the prime sponsor of Senate Bill 339 "An Act Relating to Health and Safety" which is now Public Law Chapter 177.

The new law requires that the following, occupied residential properties which are transferred by sale on or after January 1, 2002, must be equipped with the required number of carbon monoxide detectors: all existing, single-family, two or three-family homes. Those apartment buildings and rooming houses which were built or converted to residential use before 1976 must also comply. There is no exemption for summer homes.

For more information, contact the State Fire Marshal's office at 401-294-0861 or the local fire marshal in the town where the property is located.

What is Carbon Monoxide?

Carbon Monoxide is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in America, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). 1,500 people die annually due to accidental carbon monoxide exposure, and additional 10,000 seek medical attention. (Medical experts agree that it's difficult to estimate the total number of carbon monoxide incidents because the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning resemble so many other common ailments.)

Carbon monoxide is a flammable, colorless, odorless, tasteless toxic gas produced during incomplete combustion of fuel - Natural Gas, Oil, Coal, Wood, Kerosene, etc.

During normal combustion, each atom of carbon in the burning fuel joins with two atoms of oxygen - forming a harmless gas called carbon dioxide. When there is a lack of oxygen to ensure complete combustion of the fuel, each atom of carbon links up with only one atom of oxygen - forming carbon monoxide gas.

How does carbon monoxide enter the home?

Carbon Monoxide (CO) can escape from any fuel-burning appliance, furnace, water heater, fireplace, woodstove, or space heater.

Most newer homes are built very air-tight, which cuts down on the supply of fresh air to your furnace - creating an oxygen starved flame. Tight closing replacement windows and doors, as well as additional insulation can cause similar problems in older homes.

CO can spill from vent connections in poorly maintained or blocked chimneys. If the flue liner is cracked or deteriorated, CO can seep through the liner and into the house. If a nest or other materials restrict or block the flue, CO will leak into the house.

Warming vehicles in an attached garage, even with the garage door opened can allow concentrated amounts of CO to enter your home through the car port door or near-by windows.

What properties are covered?

The law applies to existing, occupied single-family homes and other residential buildings which are transferred on or after January 1, 2002. The law will also apply to new single-family homes and other residential buildings with gas utilities which are constructed or converted for residential occupancy on or after January 1, 2002. Residential buildings which are required to have a fire alarm system are exempt.

What kind of carbon monoxide detectors must be installed? Carbon monoxide detector emit an audible signal with a minimum rating of eighty-five decibels at a distance of ten feet and have a "power on" indicator. The detectors must be listed and/or approved by Underwriters Laboratories Inc., Factory Mutual, or some other nationally recognized testing laboratory approved by the state fire marshal and installed according to the manufacturer's specifications.

How expensive are carbon monoxide detectors?

Prices typically range from $25 - $70 per detector.

Where must the carbon monoxide detectors be placed?

An approved smoke and approved carbon monoxide detector must be installed in the access space immediately adjacent to bedrooms or sleeping rooms, and in bedrooms, or sleeping rooms, which are separated by other use areas, such as kitchens or living rooms, but not bathrooms. If a bedroom opens directly into the kitchen, a smoke detector must be installed in the bedroom, and a carbon monoxide detector must be installed in the kitchen, located in accordance with manufacturer's specifications in relation to fuel burning appliances. All carbon monoxide detectors must be mounted in accordance with manufacturer's specifications.

Who will inspect the carbon monoxide detector?

Inspections will be performed by the same department in each town or city which performs smoke detector inspections. Typically, this will be the fire department.

How much will a carbon monoxide detector inspection cost?

The cost of a carbon monoxide detector inspection will be $30, which will be the same price as a smoke detector inspection beginning on January 1, 2002. However, a town or city may charge an additional fee of $30 if the detectors must be reinspected due to improper installation, wrong location, improper wiring, or the owner's failure to keep his inspection appointment.

Must a carbon monoxide certificate be recorded?

Yes, a carbon monoxide detector certificate must be recorded with the town or city clerk's office in the same way that a smoke detector certificate is recorded.

What responsibility does a real estate broker or salesperson have?

The new law requires only the property owner to assume legal responsibility for installing the carbon monoxide detectors and ensuring that they are working.