Aging Services of Washington has been actively involved in securing, in a draft carbon monoxide alarm rule currently under consideration, an exemption for licensed boarding homes (assisted living) in both new and existing construction, effective JANUARY 1, 2013 FOR EXISTING DWELLINGS and retroactive to JANUARY 1, 2011 FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION. See below for rule language and critical details of the proposal, including its impact on non-licensed retirement apartments.
The State Building Code Council will hold its second of two public hearings on recent rulemaking related to carbon monoxide alarms on October 14 at 10 am in Shoreline, Wa. Contact jmartin@agingwa.org for information.
The draft exemption reads as follows:
"EXCEPTION: Sleeping units or dwelling units in R-1 occupancies and R-2 college dormitories, hotel, and DSHS licensed boarding home and residential treatment facility occupancies which do not themselves contain a fuel-burning appliance, or a fuel-burning fireplace, or have an attached garage, but which are located in a building with a fuel-burning appliance, or a fuel-burning fireplace, or an attached garage, need not be provided with carbon monoxide alarms provided that:
1. The sleeping unit or dwelling unit is not adjacent to any room which contains a fuel-burning appliance, a fuel-burning fireplace, or an attached garage; and
2. The sleeping unit or dwelling unit is not connected by duct work or ventilation shafts with a supply or return register in the same room to any room containing a fuel-burning appliance, a fuel-burning fireplace, or to an attached garage; and
3. The building is provided with a common area carbon monoxide alarm system.
4. An open parking garage, as defined in the International Building Code, or enclosed parking garage ventilated in accordance with Section 404 of the International Mechanical Code shall not be deemed to be an attached garage."
Further, boarding home occupancies not already equipped with a carbon monoxide alarm system must be provided with a carbon monoxide alarm system when alterations, repairs or additions requiring a permit occur, or when one or more sleeping rooms are added or created.
Single station carbon monoxide alarms shall be listed as complying with UL 2034 and be installed and maintained in accordance with NFPA 720 and the manufacturer's instructions. Carbon monoxide detection systems that include carbon monoxide detectors and audible notification appliances installed and maintained in accordance with this section for carbon monoxide alarms and NFPA 720 are permitted. Plug-in, battery powered and hard-wired units are also allowed as long as they meet the above requirements.
Review the proposed rule and rule report here: https://fortress.wa.gov/ga/apps/SBCC/File.ashx?cid=1453.
NOTE: Private senior living and other apartments, as well as adult family homes, will BE REQUIRED to comply with the installation of alarms in both existing and new construction, with the effective dates identifed above.
It is not yet fully understood how implementation of these requirements will occur for communities which have both licensed and non-licensed units in the same building.
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