SPECIAL REPORT News, Major Incidents, Hot Topics

Carbon Monoxide Detectors Required

Amanda’s Law becomes effective February 22, 2010

By: Eli George (WIVB) BUFFALO, N.Y. - For the first time in the state of New York, carbon monoxide (CO) detectors will be required in nearly all homes. A new piece of legislation called “Amanda’s Law,” which passed in the 2009 Session of the NYS Legislature and will go into effect on February 22nd, will require that virtually all one-family and two-family homes, dwellings located in condominiums or cooperatives, and multiple dwellings must have a carbon monoxide detector installed, regardless of the date of the building’s construction or sale. The law was named after 16-year-old Amanda Hansen of West Seneca, just outside Buffalo, who lost her life due to carbon monoxide leaking from a defective boiler. She died on January 17, 2009 while sleeping at a friend’s house. This tragic incident had brought the importance of carbon monoxide detectors back in the spotlight last year. A CO detector, which costs $20 on average, detects the presence of carbon monoxide, also known as the Silent Killer, and sounds an alarm before dangerous levels of the gas accumulate so that occupants can escape.
The new law requires that CO detectors meet New York State standards and be installed in operable condition in dwellings where there are appliances or systems that may emit carbon monoxide, or have an attached garage. The law makes an exception for homes that use combustion-free energy sources, such as electric for heating and cooking, and have no potential sources of carbon monoxide, i.e. an attached garage. “Amanda’s Law will create a safer environment for homeowners, renters and all residents of the state of New York,” said Firemen’s Association of the State of New York President Thomas J. Cuff, Jr. “The use of carbon monoxide detectors is just as critical as the use of smoke alarms. The purpose of both safety devices is to give occupants of a home enough time to escape danger. A CO detector is another effective tool that will help prevent terrible incidents like the one that happened to young Amanda Hansen from happening again.” Carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas that is able to make its way into a residence when fuels from heating and cooking equipment are improperly burned. Vehicles and home generators with blocked vents can release the toxic gas into the home, which can be harmful to those inside. Small amounts of CO over a long period of time or large amounts of CO over a shorter period of time can be poisonous.	Also On This Topic Sleepover Quickly Turned Tragic - Saturday, 17 Jan 2009 Carbon Monoxide Poison warnings – Signs, Symptoms, and What to do Heating Safety –Electric, Gas, Kerosene and Wood
The National Fire Protection Association says CO poisoning can be confused with flu symptoms, food poisoning and other illnesses. Some symptoms include shortness of breath, nausea, dizziness, light-headedness or headaches. High levels of CO can be fatal, causing death within minutes. CO is almost the same in weight to air and thus mixes freely in it. CO can be emitted from fuel-fired furnaces (not electric), gas water heaters, fireplaces & wood stoves, gas stoves, non-electric space heaters, gas dryers, charcoal grills, lawnmowers & snow blowers, automobiles, and gas-powered generators, and other appliances and equipment. According to the NFPA, almost 9 out of every 10 (89%) reported non-fire carbon monoxide incidents take place in the home. In 2005, municipal fire departments responded to an estimated 61,100 non-fire carbon monoxide incidents, where CO was present – an average of seven such calls an hour and an 18% increase from 2003. FASNY strongly recommends that a CO detector be installed near each sleeping area, and for added protection, alarms should be located on each level of a home. Interconnect CO detectors, so they sound simultaneously in larger homes. Maintain CO detectors by testing them, and replace batteries at least twice a year. Notify your local fire department when your CO detector sounds – however, before calling, make sure to identify whether or not the device is simply sounding due to a low battery. Do not warm a vehicle in an enclosed garage space. During and after a snowstorm, make sure all vents connected to stoves, furnaces, and fireplaces leading outside are clear. In order to further educate New Yorkers on the importance of installing carbon monoxide detectors in accordance with Amanda’s Law, FASNY and The Home Depot are working together in a new safety education initiative. On Saturday, March 6th, they will administer clinics and distribute free CO detectors at select stores in suburban areas throughout the state, specifically in Utica, Albany, Rochester, Syracuse, Buffalo, and on Long Island. In New York State, Amanda's Law, (A6093A/C.367) requires one- and two-family residences which have fuel burning appliances to have at least one carbon monoxide alarm installed on the lowest story having a sleeping area, effective February 22, 2010. Although homes built before Jan. 1, 2008 will be allowed to have battery-powered alarms, homes built after that date will need to have hard-wired alarms. In addition, New York State contractors will have to install a carbon monoxide detector when replacing a fuel burning hot water tank or furnace if the home is without an alarm. Read draft copy of New York State Law (Amanda’s Law) A6093A/C.367 For more information on Amanda’s Law, carbon monoxide, and CO detectors visit www.fasny.com or www.nfpa.org.

This article as content is sole property of WIVB and is published in its original entirety. In publishing this article UnionFireco.com endorses the original publisher, its author, and website. We ask that you take the time to visit the WIVB website for additional features and original material.