New Carbon Monoxide Law Effective July 1, 2009, Colorado Springs

 

Colorado homebuilders will be required to install carbon-monoxide detectors in new homes under a proposal signed into law on March 24th. House Bill HB 1091 also requires installation of the detectors in new and resold homes near bedrooms as well as rented apartments and homes. It takes effect July 1, 2009. The new law will cover all new residential construction and existing single-family and multi-family housing units offered for sale, transfer or rent.

The law applies to any seller of residential real property containing a fuel-fired heater or appliance, a fireplace, or an attached garage. The seller will be responsible for assuring that a carbon monoxide alarm is properly installed within 15 feet of the entrance to each room lawfully used for sleeping. No person shall have a claim for relief against a property owner or their authorized agent if a carbon monoxide alarm is installed in accordance with the manufacturer's published instructions.

There have been several deaths in Colorado this year from Carbon-monoxide poisoning, including a family in Aspen and a graduate student in Denver. And carbon monoxide (CO) is responsible for more than 450 deaths and approximately 15,000 emergency department visits each year in the United States.

Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that cannot be seen or smelled and can be fatal within minutes of exposure. Most incidents happen in the winter, mainly due to an increased use in fuel-burning appliances. According to an article I found on Bill Ritter's Web Page, roughly 83 percent of Colorado single-family homes use gas, wood, kerosene, coal or fuel as their major heat source, all of which emit carbon monoxide. There are a couple of web sites that provide a comprehensive list of things to do to protect against Carbon Monoxide; and the best info I found was on the EPA's web site. It also includes information about buying a Detector.

Reference: http://coloradospringsvintagehomes.com/2009/03/28/new-carbon-monoxide-law-effective-july-1-2009/

For more information on home inspection issues, please call Lance Hayward, A Precise Home Inspection, Inc @ 719-272-0100 or visit us on line at www.aprecisehomeinspection.com