Drafting a local CO ordinance, any help?

[rth]

New fire marshal, small town <30k pop. Been recomending CO detectors for the schools for a few months. After the Atlanta poisoning a few weeks ago spoke with the school maintenance super and they put them up in all the public schools. Now I'm looking at drafting an ordinance requiring CO detectors in all public buildings with gas furnaces and all rental properties with gas. Biggest question I've got is placement number/square footage, what parameters are safe and reasonable?

I feel let down by the fire/life safety codes on this issue. Be nice to see something in the 2015 codes about this.

Thank you,

Richard Hanks

 

[mtlogcabin]

Reference NFPA 720

Overhauled Code for Carbon Monoxide Detectors Now Applies to Commercial Buildings | Emergency Management content from EHS Today

 

[cda]

http://www.systemsensor.com/pdf/COAG103.pdf

there does not seem to be a spacing criteria for co detectors

For example, Chapter 5.5.5.3.1 states that carbon monoxide detectors

shall be installed in accordance with manufacturers published instructions

in the following locations:

(1) On the ceiling in the same room as permanently installed fuel

burning appliances

(2) Centrally located on every habitable level and in every HVAC zone

of the building

• If the installation can be interpreted as residential, consult the section of

NFPA 720 that outlines residential applications.

• For example, chapter 9.4.1.1 states that carbon monoxide alarms or

detectors shall be installed as follows:

(1) Outside each separate dwelling unit sleeping area in the immediate

vicinity of the bedrooms

(2) On every level of a dwelling unit, including basements

(3) Other locations where required by applicable laws, codes or standards

 

[cda]

one recommendation, but this is for a parking garage::

Location of Sensors and Controllers

Sensors shall be located in the garage area and mounted on columns at approximately 5 ft above the

floor. Each CO sensor can cover approximately 5,000 to 10,000 sq ft of open space. CO gas will

disperse and flow with natural air current and car movement.

Using the average of 7,500 sq ft per sensor and a circular radius of 49 feet, the sensors area coverage

could be scaled and placed on the garage floor plan layout to cover the open floor area.

Based on the number of CO sensors and the location of the exhaust fans and make-up air handlers,

one can determine the most cost effective CO detection equipment to minimize the total cost of

sensors, controllers, conduit, wiring, termination, startup and final commissioning.

http://inteccontrols.com/pdfs/CO_Parking_Garage_Design_Guidelines.pdf

 

[cda]

so the law is enacted, and a person makes the call to see how many are required, how can an ahj say you are not providing enough of them, or they are in the wrong place???