Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors- What You Need to Know

 

It starts on April 1, but it’s no joke.

A new carbon monoxide detector law goes into effect on the first of April (House Bill 3450) that will require landlords and those selling their dwelling place to ensure that it is equipped with a fully functional carbon monoxide detector system. Now would also be a good time to brush up on your knowledge of smoke detector laws in Oregon.

Did you know that you can have a combination smoke/carbon monoxide detector with battery back-up hardwired right into your home? It’s probably the best way to attain peace of mind about both of these very real risks, and it can be retrofitted to just about any type of house.

Carbon Monoxide- Definition, Risks.

Carbon Monoxide is an invisible, odorless, colorless gas that is created when fuels (gasoline, wood, coal, oil, kerosine, propane, methane, natural gas, charcoal) burn incompletely. Learn more about the chemistry of CO (with lots of pictures!).

Carbon monoxide is created by heat producing appliances that use any of the above fuels- heaters, gas ovens, furnaces, etc. It is also produced by cars (poorly ventilated garages are dangerous for this reason), lawn mowers, power washers, and other outdoor machinery that burns fuel.

Carbon monoxide is extremely deadly to humans and animals. It is especially dangerous because it cannot be detected by any human senses. CO displaces oxygen in the blood and thus deprives the heart, brain, and other vital organs of oxygen. The symptoms of low-to-moderate carbon monoxide poisoning are very similar to those of influenza (without the fever):

• Headache
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea
• Dizziness

Higher levels of CO poisoning manifest in:

• Mental confusion
• Vomiting
• Loss of muscular coordination
• Loss of consciousness
• Ultimately death

The New CO Detector Law

In an effort to reduce the number of carbon monoxide related deaths, Oregon passed a new law effective April 1st with the following requirements:

1. Landlords must provide properly functioning carbon monoxide alarms for all rental dwelling units within a structure containing a carbon monoxide source.

2. Home sellers of 1-2 family dwellings, manufactured dwellings, or multifamily dwelling units with a CO source must have one or more properly functioning CO alarms before conveying fee title or transferring possession of a dwelling.

3. CO alarms are required in new construction or reconstruction/alteration/repair for which a building permit is required and the structure is identified as a residential Group R structure.

If you are a landlord or a homeowner and you need to have CO detectors installed, contact us for options. A hard-wired unit with battery-back up is always the safest option.

Visit this link for an informative Q&A from the OR State Fire Marshall.

Smoke Detector Law

Click here for a summary of OR smoke detector laws.

Some main points include:

*Landlords must provide functioning smoke detectors in all dwelling units and must provide instructions for testing upon new tenancy and/or written notice of any deficiency.

*Hard-wired systems cannot be replaced by battery-only systems. (Contact us if your hard-wired system is not functioning.)

*Dwellings cannot be sold or transferred without the required smoke alarms installed in accordance with state building code.

*Smoke alarms should be tested monthly and vacuumed to remove dust and cobwebs. Alarms 10 years or older must be replaced- check the date stamp on the back of the device.

3D Electrical Services is offering a discount of the installation of hard-wired smoke detectors at this time.

If you live in a rented dwelling but you do not have a carbon monoxide detector and/or your smoke detector is out of date or you suspect that it is not functioning properly, contact your landlord immediately. When smoke or carbon monoxide is present in your home, seconds count. Be proactive about your safety!