Where to install carbon monoxide detectors in california

Each floor of the home needs a separate detector. If you are getting a single carbon monoxide detector, place it near the sleeping areas and make certain the alarm is loud enough to wake you up. For more tips, see: the Underwriters Laboratories': Product Safety Tip - CO Alarms 

How do I install my CO alarm?

Follow the installation instructions found in the manufacturer's use and care booklet that accompanies the product. Proper installation is an important factor in receiving optimum performance. It's important to follow these instructions exactly.

Do CO alarms operate differently than smoke alarms?

Although they may look and sound similar, CO alarms and smoke alarms are designed and intended to detect two separate, distinct hazards. Therefore, to help protect your family from both hazards, it's important to install both UL Listed CO alarms and smoke detectors.

How do I take care of my CO alarm?

Like smoke detectors, CO alarms need to be tested regularly and cleaned as indicated in the manufacturer's use and care booklet. If the unit operates off a battery, test the detector weekly and replace the battery at least once a year.

Should I follow any safety tips for using and maintaining my CO alarms?

As with any product, read the manufacturer's use and care booklet for installation and maintenance guidelines. Keep these instructions on file for future reference.

If your unit operates off the battery, never allow anyone to "borrow" the battery. Like any appliance or power tool, a CO alarm can't work unless it has a functioning power source.

For more information, see:

  • CO Alarms - Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
  • Underwriters Laboratories': Product Safety Tip - CO Alarms 
  • Carbon Monoxide Detectors - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  • EPA's Carbon Monoxide's Impact on Indoor Air Quality
  • What is carbon monoxide?
  • What about carbon monoxide detectors?
  • What is the average level of carbon monoxide in homes?
  • What do I do if I suspect that combustion appliances are affecting my health?
  • What are combustion products?

Today we are going to talk about smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in your rental property. You must understand that the laws have changed for smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. 

Before 2014 a lot of landlords would put in their leases that the tenants were responsible for the maintenance and making sure that the smoke detectors worked but the laws have changed a lot since 2014 . Now it really puts a lot of responsibility back on the owner. The first law was July 1st of 2014, the law said all smoke alarms including combination smoke alarms and carbon monoxide, that are solely battery powered shall contain a nonreplaceable, non-removable battery that is capable of powering the smoke alarm for at least 10 years. This means using 10-year lithium batteries to be compliant. The law also said that people could finish their stock up at the time but at this point, we are in 2020 and your stock is done. 

If you are installing a smoke detector it needs to be a 10-year lithium battery, especially in a rental property. On January 1, 2015, they made some las that were for the manufacturers. In addition to the 10-year sealed battery requirements, the bill also requires smoke alarms and combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to display the manufacture date, provide a place to write the date of installation on the device. This means that it is your responsibility to write the installation date and the expiration date 

About 70% of the properties that we take over do not have the smoke detector date of installation written on them. This is putting you not up to code. The law also requires that by January 1, 2016, owners of a dwelling unit intended for human occupancy in which one or more units is rented or leased shall install an additional smoke alarm, as needed, to ensure that smoke alarms are located in compliance with current building standards and incorporate a hush feature. (A “hush” feature will momentarily silence the alarm to allow whatever set off the alarm, such as smoke from the kitchen, a chance to dissipate. A “hush” feature, however, does not turn off the smoke alarm, and after a few minutes, the alarm will return if the smoky conditions persist.) 

Presently the California State Building Code requires that smoke alarms be located in 1) the hallway outside the bedrooms 2) in each bedroom and 3) on every floor regardless of whether there is a bedroom on that floor. … For all other homes, the smoke alarm may be battery operated. (Cal. Health & Safety Code § 13113.7.) Carbon monoxide detectors do not need to be in bedrooms just one per floor. So if it is a 3 story house you need to have 3 carbon monoxide detectors. 

Where is a carbon monoxide detector required California?

On every level of a dwelling unit including basements. ✓ Where a fuel-burning appliance is located within a bedroom or its attached bathroom, a carbon monoxide alarm shall be installed within the bedroom. Alterations, repairs, and additions.

Where should a carbon monoxide detector be placed?

The International Association of Fire Chiefs recommends a carbon monoxide detector on every floor of your home, including the basement. A detector should be located within 10 feet of each bedroom door and there should be one near or over any attached garage. Each detector should be replaced every five to six years.

How many carbon monoxide detectors are required in California?

Beginning July 1, 2011, at least one CO alarm is required in all existing single-family dwellings with either a fuel-burning heater, fuel-burning appliance, fireplaces or an attached garage. All other single-family dwellings will be required to have at least one CO alarm installed by July 1, 2013.