Sorry, this page has moved!
Please click here to go to the new location.
Fire & Life SafetyCourage Honor Service
Carbon Monoxide Alarms Required in All Single Family Homes as of July 1, 2011

As of July 1, 2011, state law requires all single family homes to have carbon monoxide alarms installed.  Multi-family dwellings, such as apartments, must have at least one carbon monoxide alarm installed in each unit by January 1, 2013.

 In May 2010, Governor Schwarzenegger signed Senate Bill 183 into law, requiring the installation of carbon monoxide detectors in all new and existing homes.

Why are carbon monoxide alarms necessary? 
  • Carbon monoxide is aleading cause of accidental poisoning death in the U.S.  - American Medical Association
  • Approximately 500 people die from carbon monoxide each year and another 20,000 are injured by the colorless and odorless gas.  - Centers for Disease Control
  • 30-40 Californians are killed by carbon monoxide each year and another 175-700 are treated in emergency rooms as a result of carbon monoxide exposure. - California Air Resource Board

Carbon monoxide is produced whenever most common fuels like gasoline, oil, natural gas, kerosene, propane, wood and charcoal are burned.  In a typical home, there are several sources of carbon monoxide:  

  • Furnace
  • Clothes dryer
  • Water heater
  • Fireplace

Where can I purchase a Carbon Monoxide Alarm?
Local hardware and home improvement stores carry a variety of carbon monoxide alarms including battery powered devices, plug-in devices with a battery backup, or a hard-wired unit that has a battery backup.   Combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are available and are approved for use.

How many and where should Carbon Monoxide Alarms be installed in the home?
The recommendation is one carbon monoxide alarm on every level of the home and outside each sleeping area (i.e. the hallway outside of the bedrooms).

What to do if your Carbon Monoxide Alarm sounds
Immediately move yourself and others outdoors.
Report the CO alarm warning by calling an emergency number - 9-1-1.

Camping stoves, charcoal grills, portable fire pits, and propane fueled barbecues should never be used indoors.   Some propane fueled space heaters are designed for use indoors and inside of tents. Be sure to read the instructions carefully to determine if a propane fueled heater is designed and approved for indoor use. For more information about indoor approved propane heaters visit these sites:

 http://www.thepropaneheaters.com/propane-heaters/indoor-propane-heaters

 http://www.coleman.com/coleman/ColemanCom/subcategory.asp?CategoryID=3000

 http://www.mrheater.com/index.aspx

The legislation includes a new disclosure requirement when real estate is sold or transferred. The property seller is required to disclose whether or not the property has a carbon monoxide alarm.  Lack of a carbon monoxide alarm will not invalidate the sale; it just provides an advisory to the buyer that the property lacks a required safety device.

 View the complete text of Senate Bill 183.