The Long Beach Fire Department would like to remind the community about the Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act (Senate Bill – SB 183).\u00a0 SB-183 requires that a carbon monoxide (CO) device be installed in all dwelling units intended for human occupancy.\u00a0\u00a0 The effective date for Multi-family dwelling units such as apartments, having fossil fuel burning appliances and\/or attached garages, is January 1, 2013.\u00a0 On July 1, 2011 SB-183 went into effect for a single-family dwelling having fossil fuel burning appliances and\/or attached garages.\u00a0 It will go into effect for hotels and motels having fossil fuel burning appliances and\/or attached garages on January 1, 2016.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
CO is a colorless, odorless gas that is produced from heaters, fireplaces, furnaces, and many types of appliances and cooking devices.\u00a0 The only way to detect the poisonous and potentially fatal gas is with a detector.\u00a0 According to the State Fire Marshal\u2019s Office CO claims the lives of an average of 480 people, and sends more than 20,000 people to emergency rooms across the nation.\u00a0 The best way for homeowners to stay protected from carbon monoxide is to have a CO detector installed on every floor and outside each sleeping area. \u00a0The California Office of the State Fire Marshal cited a recent study that found nearly nine in 10 California households do NOT have a CO detector.\u00a0 Many consumers are likely unaware of the need to have their homes equipped, and many may need to remind their landlords to act.<\/p>\n
Owners or landlords of multi-family leased or rental dwellings, such as apartment buildings, are required to comply with the law and are responsible for installation, so for tenants whose units do not have a CO detector now is the time to follow up with landlords by requesting one.\u00a0 Failure to equip a property with CO detectors puts families in danger, and is a violation of State law that is punishable by a maximum fine of $200 for each offense.\u00a0 CO detectors do not take the place of smoke detectors; you must have both to fully protect occupants.\u00a0 If you already have both a CO detectors and smoke detectors in your home it\u2019s a good time of year to replace the batteries.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Here are some guidelines to help protect against CO poisoning:<\/p>\n