Section 915 — California Building Code (Title 24, Part 2)

CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTION

[F] 915.1 General. Carbon monoxide detection shall be installed in new buildings in accordance with Sections 915.1.1 through 915.7 . Carbon monoxide detection shall be installed in existing buildings in accordance with Chapter 11 of the California Fire Code .

Pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 17926, car- bon monoxide detection shall be installed in all existing Group R buildings as required in Section 915.

[F] 915.1.1 Where required. Carbon monoxide detection shall be provided in Group I-2, I-4 and R occupancies and in classrooms in Group E occupancies in the locations specified in Section 915.2 where any of the conditions in Sections 915.1.2 through 915.1.6 exist.

[F] 915.1.2 Fuel-burning appliances and fuel-burning fireplaces. Carbon monoxide detection shall be provided in dwelling units, sleeping units and classrooms that contain a fuel-burning appliance or a fuel-burning fireplace.

[F] 915.1.3 Fuel burning, forced-air furnaces. Carbon monoxide detection shall be provided in dwelling units, sleeping units and classrooms served by a fuel-burning, forced-air furnace.

Exception: Carbon monoxide detection shall not be required in dwelling units, sleeping units and classrooms if a carbon monoxide detector is provided in the first room or area served by each main duct leaving the furnace, and the carbon monoxide alarm signals are automatically transmitted to an approved location.

[F] 915.1.4 Fuel-burning appliances outside of dwelling units, sleeping units and classrooms. Carbon monoxide detection shall be provided in dwelling units, sleeping

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FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS

units and classrooms located in buildings that contain fuelburning appliances or fuel-burning fireplaces.

Exceptions:

Carbon monoxide detection shall not be required in dwelling units, sleeping units and classrooms without communicating openings between the fuel-burning appliance or fuel-burning fireplace and the dwelling unit, sleeping unit or classroom.
Carbon monoxide detection shall not be required in dwelling units, sleeping units and classrooms where a carbon monoxide detector is provided in one of the following locations:

2.1. In an approved location between the fuelburning appliance or fuel-burning fireplace and the dwelling unit, sleeping unit or classroom.

2.2. On the ceiling of the room containing the fuel-burning appliance or fuel-burning fireplace.

[F] 915.1.5 Private garages. Carbon monoxide detection shall be provided in dwelling units, sleeping units and classrooms in buildings with attached private garages.

Exceptions:

Carbon monoxide detection shall not be required in dwelling units, sleeping units and classrooms without communicating openings between the private garage and the dwelling unit, sleeping unit or classroom.
Carbon monoxide detection shall not be required in dwelling units, sleeping units and classrooms located more than one story above or below a private garage.
Carbon monoxide detection shall not be required where the private garage connects to the building through an open-ended corridor.
Where a carbon monoxide detector is provided in an approved location between openings to a private garage and dwelling units, sleeping units or classrooms.

[F] 915.1.6 Exempt garages. For determining compliance with Section 915.1.5, an open parking garage complying with Section 406.5 or an enclosed parking garage complying with Section 406.6 shall not be considered a private garage.

[F] 915.2 Locations. Where required by Section 915.1.1, carbon monoxide detection shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s published instructions in the locations specified in Sections 915.2.1 through 915.2.3.

[F] 915.2.1 Dwelling units. Carbon monoxide detection shall be installed in dwelling units in the following loca- tions:

1 . Outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms.

2. On every occupiable level of a dwelling unit, includ- ing basements.

3. Where a fuel-burning appliance is located within a bedroom or its attached bathroom, carbon monoxide detection shall be installed within the bedroom.

[F] 915.2.2 Sleeping units. Carbon monoxide detection shall be installed in sleeping units.

Exception: Carbon monoxide detection shall be allowed to be installed outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the sleeping unit where the sleeping unit or its attached bathroom does not contain a fuel-burning appliance and is not served by a forced air furnace.

[F] 915.2.3 Group E occupancies. Carbon monoxide detectors shall be installed in classrooms in Group E occupancies where classrooms include any of the conditions identified in Sections 915.1.2 through 915.1.6. Carbon monoxide alarm signals shall be automatically transmitted to an on-site location as approved by the authority having jurisdiction.

Exception: Carbon monoxide alarm signals shall not be required to be automatically transmitted to an on-site location that is staffed by school personnel in Group E occupancies with an occupant load of 30 or less.

[F] 915.3 Carbon monoxide detection. Carbon monoxide detection required by Sections 915.1 through 915.2.3 shall be provided by carbon monoxide alarms complying with Section 915.4 or carbon monoxide detection systems complying with Section 915.5.

[F] 915.4 Carbon monoxide alarms. Carbon monoxide alarms shall comply with Sections 915.4.1 through 915.4.5.

[F] 915.4.1 Power source. Carbon monoxide alarms shall receive their primary power from the building wiring where such wiring is served from a commercial source, and when primary power is interrupted, shall receive power from a battery. Wiring shall be permanent and without a disconnecting switch other than that required for overcurrent protection.

Exception s :

1. Where installed in buildings without commercial power, battery-powered carbon monoxide alarms shall be an acceptable alternative.

2. Carbon monoxide alarms in Group R occupan- cies shall be permitted to receive their primary power from other power sources recognized for use by NFPA 720.

3. Carbon monoxide alarms in Group R occupan- cies shall be permitted to be battery-powered or plug-in with a battery backup in existing build- ings built prior to January 1, 2011, under any of the following conditions:

3.1. No construction is taking place.

3.2. Repairs or alterations do not result in the removal of interior wall and ceiling fin- ishes exposing the structure in areas/ spaces where carbon monoxide alarms are required.

3.3. Repairs or alterations are limited to the exterior surfaces of dwellings, such as the replacement of roofing or siding, or

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the addition or replacement of windows or doors, or the addition of a porch or deck.

3.4. Work is limited to the installation, alter- ation or repair of plumbing, mechanical or electrical systems, which do not result in the removal of interior wall or ceiling finishes exposing the structure in areas/ spaces where carbon monoxide alarms are required.

[F] 915.4.2 Listings. Residential carbon monoxide alarms shall be listed in accordance with UL 2034.

No person shall install, market, distribute, offer for sale, or sell any carbon monoxide device in the State of California unless the device and instructions have been approved and listed by the Office of the State Fire Mar- shal.

[F] 915.4.3 Locations. Carbon monoxide alarms shall only be installed in dwelling units and in sleeping units. They shall not be installed in locations where the code requires carbon monoxide detectors to be used.

[F] 915.4.4 Combination alarms. Combination carbon monoxide/smoke alarms shall be an acceptable alternative to carbon monoxide alarms. Combination carbon monoxide/smoke alarms shall be listed in accordance with UL 2034 and UL 217.

Combination carbon monoxide/smoke alarms shall comply with Section 915, and all requirements for listing and approval by the Office of the State Fire Marshal for smoke alarms.

915.4.5 Interconnection. Where more than one carbon monoxide alarm is required to be installed within a dwell- ing unit or within a sleeping unit in Group R occupancies, the alarms shall be interconnected in a manner that acti- vation of one alarm shall activate all of the alarms in the individual unit.

Exception: Interconnection is not required in existing buildings, built prior to January 1, 2011, under any of the following conditions:

1. Physical interconnection is not required where listed wireless alarms are installed and all alarms sound upon activation of one alarm.

2. No construction is taking place.

3. Repairs or alterations do not result in the removal of interior wall and ceiling finishes exposing the structure in areas/spaces where car- bon monoxide alarms are required.

4. Repairs or alterations are limited to the exterior surfaces of dwellings, such as the replacement of roofing or siding, or the addition or replacement of windows or doors, or the addition of a porch or deck.

5. Work is limited to the installation, alteration or repair of plumbing, mechanical, or electrical sys- tems, which do not result in the removal of inte- rior wall or ceiling finishes exposing the

FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS

structure in areas/spaces where carbon monox- ide alarms are required.

[F] 915.5 Carbon monoxide detection systems. Carbon monoxide detection systems shall be an acceptable alternative to carbon monoxide alarms and shall comply with Sections 915.5.1 through 915.5.3.

[F] 915.5.1 General. Carbon monoxide detection systems shall comply with NFPA 720.

[F] 915.5.2 Locations. Carbon monoxide detectors shall be installed in the locations specified in Section 915.2 or NFPA 720.

[F] 915.5.3 Combination detectors. Combination carbon monoxide/smoke detectors installed in carbon monoxide detection systems shall be an acceptable alternative to carbon monoxide detectors, provided that they are listed in accordance with UL 2075 and UL 268.

Combination carbon monoxide/smoke detectors shall comply with all requirements for listing and approval by the Office of the State Fire Marshal for smoke alarms.

[F] 915.6 Maintenance. Carbon monoxide alarms and carbon monoxide detection systems shall be maintained in accordance with NFPA 720. Carbon monoxide alarms and carbon monoxide detectors that become inoperable or begin producing end-of-life signals shall be replaced.

915.7 Visible alarms.¶

In buildings containing covered multi- family dwellings as defined in Chapter 2, all required carbon monoxide alarms shall be equipped with the capability to support visible alarm notification in accordance with NFPA 720.