Carbon Monoxide Detector Act

Overview

To be used as a reference to answer questions regarding Public Act 094-0741, Carbon Monoxide Alarm Detector Act, signed into law on May 8, 2006.

Compliance Date: January 1, 2007

  • Every dwelling unit shall be equipped with at least one approved carbon monoxide alarm in an operating condition within 15 feet of every room used for sleeping purposes.
  • Every structure that contains more than one dwelling unit shall contain at least one CO alarm within 15 feet of each sleeping area.
  • Exemptions – a residential unit in a building that:
    • Does not rely on combustion of fossil fuel for heat, ventilation or hot water
    • Is not connected in any way to a garage
    • Is not sufficiently close to any ventilated source of carbon monoxide, as determined by the local building commissioner.
  • Failure to install or maintain is a Class B misdemeanor
  • The carbon monoxide alarms required under this Act may be:
    • Battery powered
    • Plug-in with battery back-up
    • Wired into the structure AC power line with battery back-up
  • The CO alarm can be combined with smoke detecting devices, provided each unit has a distinct alarm that differentiates the hazard.
    • The owner of the property must supply and install all required alarms.
    • Tampering with, removing, destroying, disconnecting, or removing the batteries from any installed CO alarm is a Class A misdemeanor in the case of the first conviction and a Class 4 felony in the case of a second subsequent conviction.

Links to Additional Information