New Regulations for Carbon Monoxide to Impact Condominiums in 2011

The building code adopted in 2010 by Washington State has a new provision that requires Carbon Monoxide (CO) detectors in the immediate vicinity of the bedroom in all dwelling units. For new construction this requirement takes effect on January 1, 2011. More important, EXISTING dwelling units (read that as any residential condo unit) must be equipped with CO alarms by July 1, 2011.

The code makes no exceptions for homes with electric heat, and no exceptions for existing construction. Compliance can be achieved with battery operated devices that can be purchased for around $30 each. It is unknown if any building departments or fire officials will enforce compliance, but we know that at least one western Washington fire district is currently enforcing requirements to retrofit existing buildings with fire alarm systems as a result of a code change a few years ago that required existing buildings to have systems, even if they met code requirements at time of construction.

CO alarms can be found on the internet or at local home improvement stores.

See International Building Code section 907.2.9 and 907.2.10.

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