A. CO detector(s) shall be centrally located outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms or sleeping rooms and on each level of the residence. Residential occupancies shall be considered to be in compliance with this requirement if CO detector(s) are installed within a dwelling unit such that an audible signal not less than 70 decibels reaches each sleeping area. CO detectors shall be hard wired or connected to a system via an approved control panel in new construction. In interior alterations, repairs or additions requiring a permit, or when one or more sleeping rooms are added or created in existing dwellings, detectors shall be hard wired or connected to a system via an approved control panel where the alterations or repairs result in the removal of interior wall or ceiling finishes unless there is an attic, crawlspace or basement available which would provide access for hard wiring.
B. CO detectors are required in sleeping units containing fuel burning appliances, e.g. gas clothes dryer, decorative gas fireplace, wood burning appliance, etc.
C. It is the intention of this chapter to implement the requirements of the existing building codes, including the latest edition of National Fire Protection Association #720, to the greatest extent practicable for existing residential occupancies. The building official or the fire marshal may approve alternative locations or methods for the installation of CO detectors, if the result would meet the spirit and intent of the building codes and NFPA #720. The building official, in coordination with the fire marshal, may also adopt written guidelines illustrating or describing required locations of CO detectors, and any approved alternative locations or methods for bringing residential occupancies into compliance with the requirements of this chapter.
D. A CO detector is deemed approved for purposes of this chapter if it complies with all applicable state and federal regulations, and bears the label of a nationally recognized standard testing laboratory and meets the revised standard of at least ANSI/UL 2034, Single and Multiple Station Carbon Monoxide Alarms, or ANSI/UL 2075, Gas and Vapor Detectors and Sensors, and subsequent revision or its equivalent. The CO detector may be a combination smoke/gas/CO device.
E. Each CO detector will be mounted in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, though ceiling mounting is preferred. CO detector(s) will not be mounted in areas of low air movement (dead air spaces),
F. If a CO detector is required to be installed in a common hallway and found to be tampered with it shall be replaced with a hard-wired device (missing or inoperable batteries shall not constitute tampering) or replaced with a system-connected detector.
G. In new construction, the required CO detector shall receive its primary power from the building wiring when such wiring is served from a commercial source, and when primary power is interrupted, shall receive power from a battery or from an approved control panel. Wiring shall be permanent and without a disconnecting switch other than those required for over current protection. CO detectors shall be permitted to be battery operated when installed in buildings without commercial power or in buildings that undergo alterations, repairs or additions as stipulated in Section 11.38.050 A.