Air Quality, Home Maintenance

How Many Carbon Monoxide Detectors You Need For Each US State

Posted on by Anela
23
Sep

 

Carbon monoxide is one of the biggest dangers in your home, yet it’s barely detectable. So, it’s important to monitor it at all times.

But how many carbon monoxide monitors do you need? As a general rule, a carbon monoxide alarm is required on every floor of a home, including a basement. For example, a 2-story home with a basement will need 3 carbon monoxide detectors or more. However, there are some variations, including the layout of your home, whether you have an attached garage, how your ventilation systems are connected, and specific state law requirements.

 

The General Requirements

Most states have adopted something called the International Residential Code (specifically, Section R315), with new states being added each year. In basic terms, R315 requires a carbon monoxide detector on each level of a home where both the sleeping areas and carbon monoxide hazards coexist, such as a shared ventilation system, attached garage, or fuel-burning appliance.

The states that have adopted this code generally require the detector to be within 10 to 20 feet of the sleeping areas (measured from the door of each room). If a room has a fuel-burning appliance, however, it will need to have its own carbon monoxide detector inside the room itself.

The code also requires a detector on the basement level, although most states don’t count the lower level of a split level home. Attics require a detector only if they have living space.

There are some nuances and exceptions, so you’ll still need to research the specific laws in your own state.

You’ll also have to research what kind of carbon monoxide detectors are allowed. Some states require a hardwired detector, others are fine with a battery-operated one. Some allow a smoke/carbon monoxide alarm combo, others don’t.

In recent years, some states have also adopted legislation to require each carbon monoxide detector to have a 10-year sealed battery, so you’ll have to search for the most recent laws in your state to stay current. In my opinion, it’s wise to buy them anyway since the trend seems to be in that direction.

NOTE: This post primarily discusses single-family and dual-family residential units. The research here may not apply for other types of buildings.

 

State Specific Requirements

Alaska

Alabama

  • Has adopted the International Residential Code (Section R315), which:
    • Requires one alarm near each sleeping area and one alarm per floor overall, including the basement, but excluding attics and crawl spaces in all homes that:
      • Have an attached garage or fuel-burning appliance on the same floor as the sleeping area.
      • Have sleeping areas that are connected to the fuel-burning appliance or attached garage through the ventilation system with.
  • All residential homes that don’t fall in the above description are required one common alarm per home.
  • Read more about this state’s recommendations.

Arizona

  • No specific state law exists as of writing this post, but many individual cities in Arizona have their own requirements in place. If they do exist on a city level, they usually follow the International Residential Code.

Arkansas

  • Law: AR 20-7-138.
  • Requires an alarm on each level of the home. Cannot be more than 3 feet from the floor and can’t be directly near garages, furnace rooms, and bathrooms. It appears that this code is only pertinent to new construction homes at the moment.
  • Read more about this state’s recommendations.

California

  • Law: CBC 907.2 and CRC 314/315.
  • Follows the International Residential Code. Generally requires an alarm outside or near the general sleeping area, but you may also need to install a carbon monoxide alarm in each room. Fine of $200,000 if not followed.
  • Read more about this state’s recommendations.

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware

Florida

  • Law: Title 33, Chapter 553, Section 553.885.
  • Follows the International Residential Code, where each carbon monoxide detector must be within 10 feet of each sleeping room. Currently only applies to homes and alterations/additions built after 2008.
  • Read more about this state’s recommendations.

Georgia

Hawaii

  • No law exists as of now.

Idaho

  • Law: Idaho Fire Code, Chapter 9, section 908.7.
  • Follows the International Residential Code. Each home must have one detector minimally, and near sleeping areas provided they are on the same level as a fuel-burning appliance or share the ventilation system with it. Detectors must be UL 2034 compliant and follow NFPA 720 guidelines.
  • Read more about this state’s recommendations.

Illinois

  • Law: Illinois Smoke Detector Act (425 ILCS 60).
  • Follows the International Residential Code. Specifically, must have a detector within 15 feet of any sleeping area, with one detector at minimum per story, including the basement. Illinois also requires all homes to have carbon monoxide detectors with sealed 10-year batteries by 2023.
  • Read more about this state’s recommendations.

Indiana

  • Indiana has no state law requiring carbon monoxide detectors, and the local municipalities that require them are often blocked by special interests in the construction industry. Check your local laws as there may be existing ordinances that require carbon monoxide detectors.

Iowa

Kansas

  • No law exists as of now.

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

  • Law: Title 25, Chapter 317, Section 2468.
  • Newer homes must have at least one detector near the sleeping area, following the International Residential Code. Also requires that each carbon monoxide have a sealed battery with a 10-year life.
  • Read more about this state’s recommendations.

Maryland

Massachusetts

  • Law: 527 CMR, Section 13.7.6.5.
  • Follows the International Residential Code. Each level of the home must have an alarm, regardless of whether there is a sleeping area on each level. In addition, all alarms have to be within 10 feet of sleeping areas.
  • Read more about this state’s recommendations.

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

  • Law: N/A.
  • Newer and existing homes must have at least one detector.

Missouri

  • Law: N/A.
  • Newer and existing homes must have at least one detector.

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada

  • Law: N/A.
  • Detector is required in and outside of each sleeping area, and overall at least one unit is needed on each level of the home, including the basement. Follows the International Residential Code.
  • Read more about this state’s recommendations.

New Hampshire

  • Law: New Hampshire Revised Statutes, Title 12, Chapter 153, Section 10-a.
  • Follows NFPA 720. Just like R315, it also requires a detector on each level of a home, including basements, and near sleeping areas.
  • Read more about this state’s recommendations.

New Jersey

  • Law: Annotated Statutes, Title 52, Chapter 27D, Section 133.3.
  • Must have at least one detector near the sleeping area and on each floor, following the International Residential Code. Homes built before 1977 must have a detector with a 10-year sealed battery, while newer homes must all have hardwired detectors.
  • Read more about this state’s recommendations.

New Mexico

New York

  • Law: Standards for New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code (Section 378)
  • Must have at least one detector near the sleeping area, following the International Residential Code.
  • Read more about this state’s recommendations.

North Carolina

North Dakota

  • Law: North Dakota Administrative Code, Chapter 24.1-06-01, Section 40.
  • Must have at least one detector near the sleeping area, following the International Residential Code, installed according to NFPA 720 standards.
  • Read more about this state’s recommendations.

Ohio

  • Law: Ohio Fire Code, Section 915.
  • Homes must have at least one detector near the sleeping area, following the International Residential Code. All detectors must be UL 2034 listed and hardwired. Can do smoke/carbon monoxide combination detectors.
  • Read more about this state’s recommendations.

Oklahoma

  • Law: Oklahoma Statutes, Title 74, Section 324.11d.
  • Homes must have at least one detector near the sleeping area, following the International Residential Code. Detectors must be hardwired.
  • Read more about this state’s recommendations.

Oregon

  • Law: 2017 ORS, Volume 12, Chapter 476, Section 476.725.
  • Law defers authority to the State Fire Marshall. Requires to install alarms within 15 feet of sleeping areas, although it doesn’t specifically state to require an alarm inside each bedroom on their website (assuming the room has a fuel-burning appliance), and it doesn’t require an alarm on each level, either. Detector can be hardwired, battery-operated, or smoke/carbon monoxide combo alarms.
  • Read more about this state’s recommendations.

Pennsylvania

  • Law: Carbon Monoxide Alarm Standards Act.
  • As of writing this, law only exists for existing multi-family units and when a residential building is sold. Detector must be UL 2034 listed and installed according to NFPA 720 standards.
  • Read more about this state’s recommendations.

Rhode Island

  • Law: Fire Safety Code (Found in Rhode Island General Assembly, Chapters 23 – 28).
  • Must have a carbon monoxide monitor near sleeping areas, according to the International Residential Code. Except for homes built between 1977 and 2001, the detectors must be interconnected. Homes built after 2002 must be hardwired and have a battery backup. Homes built after 2013 must have carbon monoxide detectors that are installed following NFPA 720 standards.
  • Read more about this state’s recommendations.

South Carolina

  • Law: State Marshal Policy 14-001.
  • Must have at least one detector near the sleeping area, following the International Residential Code. Can use a smoke/carbon monoxide dual combo alarm, but must be installed according to NFPA 720 standards.
  • Read more about this state’s recommendations.

South Dakota

Tennessee

  • Law: Tennessee Code, Title 68, Chapter 120, Sections 101 and 112.
  • Homes built after 2016 must have at least one detector within 10 feet of the the sleeping area, following the International Residential Code. Detector must be hardwired and have a battery backup. Homes built prior to 2016 need at least one carbon monoxide detector in the home. It can either be hardwired and/or battery operated.
  • Read more about this state’s recommendations.

Texas

Utah

  • Law: Utah Code, Chapter 5, Part 1, Section 15A-5-204.
  • Carbon monoxide detectors are required on each level. All alarms must be interconnected. New construction homes must have hardwired alarms with a battery backup. All alarms must be UL 2034 compliant and installed according to NFPA 720.
  • Read more about this state’s recommendations.

Vermont

  • Law: Vermont Statutes, Title 9, Chapter 77, Section 2882.
  • Must have at least one detector near the sleeping area, following the International Residential Code. All detectors must follow NFPA 720 and NFPA 101 guidelines and can be hardwired and/or battery-operated.
  • Read more about this state’s recommendations.

Virginia

  • Law: Administrative Code, Title 13VAC5, Chapter 63, Section 240.
  • Must have at least one detector near the sleeping area and on each level, following the International Residential Code. Must be UL 2034 compliant and installed following NFPA 720.
  • Read more about this state’s recommendations.

Washington

  • Law: Washington Administrative Code, Title 51, Chapter 51, Section 315.
  • One or more carbon monoxide detectors are required near the sleeping area, following the International Residential Code. Detector must be UL 2034 compliant. May use smoke/carbon monoxide combo alarms.
  • Read more about this state’s recommendations.

West Virginia

Wisconsin

Wyoming

  • Law: Title 8, Chapter 2, Section 20.
  • Carbon monoxide detectors must be installed in the basement and each other level of a home, within 21 feet of each sleeping area. Must be installed on every level, even if there are no sleeping areas. Must be hardwired, have a battery backup, and be UL 2034 compliant.
  • Read more about this state’s recommendations.

 

Recommendations and Useful Links

 

DISCLAIMER: The above is my cursory research only and may not be entirely accurate or detailed. It should not be used as advice, but rather to guide you to the resources necessary to find out the full and most current information. You should also go beyond the state level and research local rules and regulations as those may have stricter requirements.