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Trash Task Force Report


Carbon Monoxide Requirements

Senate Bill 607 signed into law by Governor Corbett on December 20, 2013 requires all residential single family dwellings, multi-family dwellings, non-owner occupied dwellings of any type (apartments, tenant houses, summer homes, cabins, vacation rentals) to install and maintain at least ONE carbon monoxide alarm within the living space, when the dwellings’ appliances are served by a fuel burning source. (PROPANE, NATURAL GAS, FUEL OIL, KEROSENE, CHARCOAL, WOOD, GASOLINE). A carbon monoxide alarm is also required when a home has an attached garage.

CARBON MONOXIDE (CO) POISIONING is the most common type of fatal air poisoning to humans and animals. It is a colorless, ordorless, and tasteless gas that is otherwise undetectable to the human senses, and people may not know that they are being exposed.

The initial symptoms of low to moderate CO poisoning are similar to the flu but, without the fever, they include:
Shortness of breath

High level CO Poisoning results in progressively more severe symptoms, including:
Mental confusion
Loss of muscular coordination
Loss of Consciousness
Ultimately death

How Can I prevent CO poisoning??
l. Make sure appliances are installed and operated according to the manufacture’s instructions
near an enclosed space such as a garage, house.
3. Never use portable fuel-burning camping equipment inside a home, garage
4. Never burn charcoal inside a home, garage or near open windows.
6. Never operate unvented fuel-burning appliances in a room where people are sleeping.
8. During home renovations, ensure that appliance vents and chimneys are not blocked by
tarps or debris.
9. Make sure that appliances have been inspected and are in proper working order after
renovations are completed

How and where should I install a CO alarm?
Alarms should be installed per the manufactures instructions. The CPSC (Consumer Product
Safety Commission) recommends that one CO alarm be installed in the hallway outside the
Install an alarm in the area or room nearest to the door to your attached garage.
DO NOT install in kitchens or above fuel-burning appliances.

What should you do when the CO alarm sounds?
NEVER ignore an alarming CO alarm
Immediately move outside to fresh air
Call 911
NO NOT re-enter the premises until the emergency service responder has given you permission
to do so.
If the source of the CO is a malfunction appliance-DO NOT operate that appliance until it has
Be properly serviced and inspected by a certified technician