code_ceis
enthusiast
Reged: 04/29/09
Posts: 294
Loc: western ny state
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CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS REQUIRED
UNDER NEW LAW
Amanda’s Law, passed in the 2009 Session of the New York State Legislature, will
establish a new requirement for installation of carbon monoxide detectors in homes.
Under the law, one-family homes, two-family homes, dwellings located in condominiums
or cooperatives, and multiple dwellings must have a carbon monoxide detector installed
regardless of the date of construction or sale.
The law was named after Amanda Hansen, a teenager whose life was tragically ended by
a carbon monoxide leak from a defective boiler while she was sleeping at a friend’s
house in January 2009.
The new law requires that the carbon monoxide detector be a device meeting New York
State standards, and that it be installed in an operable condition in dwellings where there
are appliances or systems that may emit carbon monoxide or have an attached garage.
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3phase
Electrician
Reged: 09/09/02
Posts: 6440
Loc: Licensed Electrical Contractor...
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Good idea. I have one in my home also. But being an ex Firefighter those and smokes are definitely in my home, daughter's home and parent's home. Ironic isn't it, ex Firefighter and now electrician, since the NFPA is responsible for the NEC. 
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Rule of thumb,Keep your thumb from under the hammer!
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JasonB
Sharp Shooter
Reged: 04/27/04
Posts: 7941
Loc: Cape Spencer, New Brunswick, C...
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With an oil furnace in our home, we've long had CO detectors too. Small price to pay for the peace of mind. It still amazes me how many house fire stories on the news include a "no working smoke detectors" sentence. People freak out over the vanishingly small risk of flying, but think nothing of disabling their fire-safety devices, with a much more real risk.
J
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er, somethin'....
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phonegod
journeyman
Reged: 03/29/04
Posts: 79
Loc: Twin Cities, Minnesota
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Minnesota has had a CO detector law since 2007. At the current time all dwellings in the state are required to have one within 10 feet of every bedroom regardless of when the dwelling was built. Here's a link to the Minnesota information. I've had them in my house since I moved in in 2004.
http://www.indoor-air-health-advisor.com/minnesota-carbon-monoxide-law.html
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TJZ
newbie
Reged: 12/06/08
Posts: 5
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NH has a similar law which took effect 1/1/2010. Existing rental units and multi-families have a two year window to comply, single family homes built or renovated after 1/1/10 must add CO detection. 
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MCA
Super Handyman
Reged: 03/09/06
Posts: 2375
Loc: Illinois
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Chicago had that requirement for a while, I think it was one of the first. I couldn't beleive the greedy landlords that were against it, they didn't want to spend $20 per unit for a CO alarm.
On a side note, some cities in Illinois were talking about requiring sprinklers in houses. One of the state senators who is running for governor (Brady, who may have won the republican primary last week, he is ahead but almost tied with another) tried to prohibit towns from requiring sprinklers in houses. Its one thing for a city council member to be against it, but he is a state senator who was trying to prohibit cities from enacting a safety law. Guess what his business is?...a residential real estate developer of course. And he talks about bring honesty to state government 
Builders were also fighting against the few extra dollars in costs for AFCI's., I bet the cheep greedy builders were against installing GFCI's and smoke alarms when they were required decades ago.
Edited by MCA (02/10/10 12:22 PM)
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3phase
Electrician
Reged: 09/09/02
Posts: 6440
Loc: Licensed Electrical Contractor...
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I would also be against fire sprinklers in a home. Ex Firefighter here and worked industrial/insitutional where they have sprinklers and they require maintenance. Far more trouble than the average homeowners wants to do. Also they trip accidently, if not maintained, and can cuase horrific water damage. Trying to plug a sprinkler head by driving a wooden wedge in it is like standing in your shower fully clothed. Which means all of our homeowners rates go up! Just can't really see the justification for them in a resi setting with smokes and all.
Just adding my opinion on the matter. Not saying if I am right or wrong.
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Rule of thumb,Keep your thumb from under the hammer!
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code_ceis
enthusiast
Reged: 04/29/09
Posts: 294
Loc: western ny state
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Quote:
Just adding my opinion on the matter. Not saying if I am right or wrong.
My opinion also.
I agree with that. With arc faults now required,new laws banning smoking inside most buildings and fire safe cigarettes for those that still are not smart enough to quit. Have reduced fires I think sprinklers in a residential setting are not cost effective for the benefit. Sprinklers do not prevent or put out fires. They are designed to provide safe passage out of building for occupants and slow down the fire until the FD gets there.
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MCA
Super Handyman
Reged: 03/09/06
Posts: 2375
Loc: Illinois
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I just thought it was wrong for a state politician/builder to attempt to prohibit local governments from enacting a code requirement. I know many are against residential sprinklers but it appears his intent was to protect the profit of developers. I think sprinklers are absolutly necessary in multi-occupancy buildings, whey will limit fire size which will limit smoke, plus sprinklers will contain the fire to within that unit. Theres no telling what the other occupants do in their units. As far as maintenance, I do some building maintenance in a commercial building, and all I do is open the test valve to ensure the fire alarm activates when it senses water flow. I assume there is more but thats all my inspector asked for.
As far as CO alarms, they may need to be replaced after a while. I put mine in several years ago and it just went out. I got a more expensive one with a digital read out, it shows the peak level even when under the alarm threshold. I thought that was a good feature so I can keep an eye on the lower CO levels, expecially since I have an old furnace, but CO can be a problem with any gas appliance.
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code_ceis
enthusiast
Reged: 04/29/09
Posts: 294
Loc: western ny state
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BINGHAMTON, N.Y. -- It's the sound that saved the lives of all four members of the Mott family -- the alert of their carbon monoxide (CO) detector.
"Sunday morning, the thing went crazy it wouldn't shut off for anything," said James Mott, as he sat inside his parents' 12 Maple Avenue residence.
The Binghamton family had just installed the device earlier in the week at James' insistence.
"Our son saw your commercial on News 10 that it's going to become the law and something told our son, 'his mom and dad were in trouble and to get a CO detector,'" said Robin Mott, James' mother.
Here you can see the fire department arriving and listen to the call confirming the noxious gas.
"We have a viable CO leak. Contact NYSEG."
The fire department determined a 50-year-old furnace had leaked the poisonous fumes to 110 part per million, well above the 70 ppm threshold.
And if it wasn't for their detector...
"We probably wouldn't have been here today," concludes James. "That's what the fire department said, 'if we were here a few more days, we would have been found dead.'"
They say it's impossible to put a price on life, but for the Mott's, that cost is under 20 bucks. The device that saved their life was purchased for $17.99. And that's why they say everyone should have one of these in their home.
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