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Friday, July 01, 2011 | 
That's right, the Los Angeles Fire Department has often warned of the dangers of "the silent killer", Carbon Monoxide (CO).
Now, we are here to tell you that as of July 1, 2011, the State of California requires Carbon Monoxide detectors in most single family homes - and soon in every residence. This new law is to be enforced by the City of Los Angeles, Housing Department.
Carbon Monoxide is the leading cause of unintentional poisoning deaths in America, claiming more than 400 lives each year. CO is an odorless, tasteless and invisible gas that can lead to brain damage and even death. CO is produced whenever fuel such as gas, oil, kerosene, wood or charcoal is burned - and can be produced by common household appliances. Sources of CO poisoning can include:
· Gas water heaters
· Home heating systems
· Kerosene space heaters
· Grills, hibachis or portable gas camp stoves
· Idling motor vehicles
· Cigarette smoke
· Propane-fueled forklifts
· Gas-powered concrete saws
· Indoor tractor pulls
· Swimming behind a motorboat
· Spray paint, solvents, degreasers, and paint removers
· Portable Generators
It is not uncommon for your firefighters to respond to accidents that involve CO poisoning during the winter months, as people often burn various fuels and use appliances as a source of heat. However, we often respond to these accidents during the summer months as well.
There is some good news...these accidents are preventable. Please take the necessary steps to ensure proper ventilation around any appliance that may generate this toxic gas, use a little common sense and get your CO detectors today. Remember, once installed, these alarms should be tested monthly, just as with your (already installed) smoke alarms. It is important to note, these do not replace your traditional smoke alarms! There are, however, some units available that will serve a dual function and provide protection against both.
Carbon Monoxide detectors are affordable, widely available at most home improvement/hardware stores and now... in California they are required by law!
For more information and some helpful tips on preventing the dangers of Carbon Monoxide, read a previous post on our blog: "Carbon Monoxide, the 'Silent Killer".
Submitted by Matt Spence, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department
12 comments:
Wait a minute. 400 deaths a year! Nationally! And the number quoted in California is 30 to 40 deaths a year.
What special interest group pushed this garbage through the legislature?
Let's see, there are approximately 35 million people in California; average 4 people per household; say 60% live in single-family homes. That is over 5.25 million homes. Say one-third of those are two-story requiring one sensor per floor -- that is 7 million detectors. At an average cost of $50 per detector, that is $350 million.
I can think of no other cause of death that has a lower yearly mortality rate than carbon monoxide poisoning. Yet in these hard economic times, the legislature is going to force Californians to shell out $350 million to save 30 to 40 lives per year. Moreover, that does not even count dorms, condos, and all the rest that were given a reprieve. Wonder how many of those deaths occur in dorms, condos and all those other non-single family dwellings?
No wonder this State is broke! Pardon me, but I have to call my Broker and tell him to invest heavily in companies making carbon monoxide detectors.
are CO detectors required in every room in each home or is one CO detector adequate?
Anonymous 12:42,
Thanks for visiting the LAFD News & Information blog, and politely yet passionately sharing your personal opinion on this matter.
Members of your LAFD know firsthand the danger of Carbon Monoxide (CO), and we have yet to meet a responder who did not have a detector in their home or see a compelling need for same.
Regardless of our personal opinions regarding what is now law in California, we believe every American has a need to know the danger of CO - as well as applicable laws, when they seek to make informed choice of the tools they can use in an quest to be safe.
Again, thanks for taking the time to share your personal viewpoint.
Respectfully Yours in Safety and Service,
Brian Humphrey
Firefighter/Specialist
Public Service Officer
Los Angeles Fire Department
Eshel,
Thanks for the note. The new California law expressly mentions:
17926. (b) With respect to the number and placement of carbon monoxide devices, an owner shall install the devices in a manner consistent with building standards applicable to new construction for the relevant type of occupancy or with the manufacturer’s instructions, if it is technically feasible to do so.
While we are currently guiding residents of 'single family homes' in Los Angeles to the City's Department of Building and Safety, and those living in 'multi-occupant dwellings' to the City's Housing Department for such non-Fire Department ("Building Code" not "Fire Code") issues, things may indeed be different in your community.
As such, and while awaiting a local interpretation for the letter of the law applicable to your community, we encourage every Californian to promptly install, test and maintain *at least* one Carbon Monoxide detector in their residence.
We hope this information helps.
Respectfully Yours in Safety and Service,
Brian Humphrey
Firefighter/Specialist
Public Service Officer
Los Angeles Fire Department
Is there a local or statewide program where seniors can receive a discounted or free detector?
Anonymous 11:13,
Though we are not familiar with such a program in Los Angeles, we strongly suggest contacting senior service agencies in your community, State or province to determine if such a program or project is available in your area.
Respectfully Yours in Safety and Service,
Brian Humphrey
Firefighter/Specialist
Public Service Officer
Los Angeles Fire Department
Consumer Product Safety Commission
Excerpt from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission
Q: How many people are unintentionally poisoned by CO?
A: On average, about 170 people in the United States die every year from CO produced by non-automotive consumer products. These products include malfunctioning fuel-burning appliances such as furnaces, ranges, water heaters and room heaters; engine-powered equipment such as portable generators; fireplaces; and charcoal that is burned in homes and other enclosed areas. In 2005 alone, CPSC staff is aware of at least 94 generator-related CO poisoning deaths. Forty-seven of these deaths were known to have occurred during power outages due to severe weather, including Hurricane Katrina. Still others die from CO produced by non-consumer products, such as cars left running in attached garages. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that several thousand people go to hospital emergency rooms every year to be treated for CO poisoning.
Brian will you answer the room question. Every room or not? You wrote a bunch a nonsense without answering the question.
Anonymous 10:37,
Thanks for the note, and for patiently awaiting a reply while I was away. My sincerest apology if the earlier reply was hard to interpret.
In short...
As members of the Los Angeles Fire Department, we understand your need for a legally binding [emphasis] answer for questions regarding installation of carbon monoxide alarms.
As this matter *in the City of Los Angeles* is currently within the exclusive domain of the City's Department of Building and Safety as well as the Housing Department, it is those agencies to whom Angelenos must (currently) turn to for official information of what is "legally required".
Those living in other areas must turn to their local regulatory agencies (most often Building and Safety agencies) for specifics that are applicable to their community.
As background to others...
It is of key importance to note that the earlier question was what is required [to be in 'local' compliance with a State Law], vs. what we might suggest.
If we were to merely offer a suggestion [emphasis added], it would probably be to install, test and maintain a carbon monoxide alarm in every room of your home - but even that may not meet the specifics of what is "locally required" - and that was indeed the question.
Please understand that my reply to Eshel (see above) - whose hometown and size/type/design of residence was unstated, was merely to offer the California law (quoted verbatim) and to suggest *at least* one carbon monoxide alarm be installed promptly, while s/he contacts local authorities to know what compliance is mandated in his/her particular City or County. I considered it the most prudent response then, and stand by that assertion - given the information at hand. I am sorry if anyone considered that to be unresponsive.
Indeed the interpretation and enforcement of this new law is taking a different track in many of California's 58 counties, and we would be profoundly remiss if told someone in Salinas, Sacramento or Sunnyvale how to be compliant with their local enforcement of the State Law that is just now coming before local regulatory agencies across The Golden State.
Anonymous 10:37, if you still need assistance in contacting the responsible agencies in your California community, please let me know, and I will be happy to identify and connect you with them at my earliest opportunity. You can find my email contact information here.
I hope this information helps.
Respectfully Yours in Safety and Service,
Brian Humphrey
Firefighter/Specialist
Public Service Officer
Los Angeles Fire Department
What is the standard required for a detector? I just bought a reputable brand off of Amazon, which I received the unit today. The packaging says the unit meets 2003 standards. Are there newer standards? That's 9 years old, so just checking. How do I know that I have a unit that it up to current standards?
Thanks so much.
Anonymous 8:57,
Thanks for the question (and your follow-up answer), which we are pleased to offer below...
For a recent roster of California State Fire Marshal Approved Carbon Monoxide Alarms, please click here
We hope this information will help you and others who seek to remain safe from the menace of Carbon Monoxide.
Respectfully Yours in Safety and Service,
Brian Humphrey
Firefighter/Specialist
Public Service Officer
Los Angeles Fire Department
How does this law relate to CO detectors for commercial buildings with parking garages or warehouse facilities?
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