Starting April 1.2011 Oregon law requires carbon monoxide alarms to be installed in all homes and multi unit residences prior to the close or transfer of possession.
What is carbon monoxide?
A dangerous invisible, odorless, colorless gas created when fuels burn incompletely.
Where does carbon monoxide come from?
From the following fuel sources; heaters, fireplaces, furnaces, appliances and cooking sources using coal, wood, gasoline ,natural gas, propane, oil, or kerosene.
Who is required to install carbon monoxide alarms?
All home sellers of one and two family dwellings, manufactured dwellings, or multifamily units must install an alarm(s) prior to closing the sale.
All new construction and any reconstruction and/or repairs requiring a building permit must install alarms.
Why should homes have alarms?Approximately 2,100 people die from carbon monoxide poisoning every year in the United States
There are more than 10,000 injuries annually for carbon monoxide.
Car exhaust in an attached garage may leak carbon monoxide into a house even with the main garage door open.
Why is carbon monoxide harmful?It displaces oxygen in the blood and deprives the heart, brain and vital organs of oxygen.
Where to install carbon monoxide alarms.
Install an alarm(s) on each level of a home with sleeping areas.
Install an alarm in each bedroom or within 15 feet of each sleeping area.
What types of carbon monoxide alarms are available? Carbon monoxide only alarm which only activate by carbon monoxide.
May be battery-operated, plug-in or hard-wired.
Battery back-up is recommended for plug-in and hardwired alarms.
Combination smoke/carbon monoxide alarms; activated by either smoke or carbon monoxide.
Ionization smoke/carbon monoxide alarm.
Photoelectric smoke/carbon monoxide alarm
Photoelectric smoke/carbon monoxide voice alarm
Explosive gas & carbon monoxide alarm
For more information visit http://www.oregon.gov/OSP/SFM/CommEd Co Program.shtml
