News from Beacon Hill:
Carbon Monoxide Alarms Required in Residential Buildings...
(February 23, 2006)

In an effort to curb the number of recent deaths resulting from carbon monoxide poisoning, the Legislature passed a law, referred to as Nicole’s law, that is set to become effective March 31, 2006. Nicole’s law will require all residential dwellings, buildings or structures, including those owned by the Commonwealth, occupied for residential purposes and containing fossil-fuel burning equipment, such as a furnace, boiler, water heater, fireplace or any other apparatus, appliance or device that burns fossil fuel to be equipped with an approved carbon monoxide detector, in conformance with the requirements of the board of fire prevention. In addition, if these dwellings incorporate enclosed parking within its structure, the owner would be required to install a carbon monoxide detector as well.

The carbon monoxide alarm requirements shall include, but not be limited to, a requirement that the alarm be either an approved battery-powered alarm or an approved electrical wiring alarm as defined by the board. The board of fire prevention shall promulgate regulations to effectuate this new law.Every dwelling, building or structure occupied for residential purposes shall, upon sale or transfer, be inspected by the head of the fire department for compliance with the requirements of the law. A fee may be charged for the inspection ranging anywhere from $25 to $500 depending upon the number of units in the building.

Download Carboon Monoxide Safety Guide (221k)

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