On March 24, 2009, Governor Ritter signed HB 09-1091, a bill requiring carbon monoxide alarms to be installed in all new dwelling units and in existing multi-family and single family dwelling units that include fuel fired appliances or an attached garage whenever they are altered, rented to a different tenant, or sold. This bill will be effective for tenant changes or permits issued after July 1, 2009. The currently adopted building code also requires smoke alarms to be installed in the home whenever interior alterations are made that require a building permit. Therefore, for permits issued after July 1, 2009, inspections for all interior alterations and additions will include verification of correct installation of smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms in dwelling units that include fuel fired appliances or an attached garage. Approved combination smoke/carbon monoxide alarms may be used. Interior alterations include, but are not limited to remodels, basement finishing, replacement of furnaces, water heaters, installation of air conditioning, and window replacements.
Carbon monoxide alarms shall produce a distinct, audible alarm, may be combined with a smoke detecting device if the combined device produces an alarm, or an alarm and voice signal, in a manner that clearly differentiates between the two hazards, and shall be listed by an approved, nationally recognized, independent product-safety testing and certification laboratory.
Carbon monoxide alarms shall be powered by one of the following methods: fully battery powered, plug-connected into a dwelling's unswitched electrical outlet and include a battery backup, wired into a dwelling's electrical system and include a battery back-up, or connected to an electrical system via an electrical panel.
Carbon monoxide alarms shall be installed within 15 feet of the entry to each sleeping room.
Smoke alarms shall be listed by an approved, nationally recognized, independent product-safety testing and certification laboratory per IRC Section 313.1. Smoke alarms shall be installed in accordance with the current building code: on each floor level of the home, in the immediate vicinity outside each separate sleeping area, and in each sleeping room. When more than one smoke alarm is required, the devices shall be interconnected in such a manner that the actuation of one alarm will activate all of the alarms in the individual dwelling unit.
Smoke alarms shall receive their primary power from the building wiring and include a battery backup. For alterations, interconnection and hard-wiring of smoke alarms will be required only if the alterations include electrical work in the area requiring a smoke alarm; in all other cases, battery powered smoke alarms will be acceptable. The installation of carbon monoxide alarms and smoke alarms shall comply with the manufacturers installation instructions.