Carbon Monoxide detecting devices now required in California homes

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1 THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE CITY OF EL CENTRO BUILDING & SAFETY AND CODE ENFORCEMENT August 2011 City of El Centro Building & Safety Division PH: FAX: In this issue: Carbon Monoxide detecting devices California Residential Code requirements for carbon monoxide detectors Residential Automatic Fire Sprinkler system requirements Safe Haven Quiz Facts about CO poisoning Misc. Safety Tips Carbon Monoxide Safety Code Enforcement Division 1275 Main Street El Centro, CA Phone (760) Fax (760) Website: Carbon Monoxide detecting devices now required in California homes Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act of 2010 On May 7, 2010, then Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act of This act was created due to the alarming statistics related to carbon monoxide poisonings. According to the American Medical Association, carbon monoxide is the leasing cause of accidental poisoning deaths in the United States. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that carbon monoxide kills approximately 500 people each year and injures another 20,000 people nationwide. The need for a carbon monoxide detector in your home is great because a person cannot see or smell carbon monoxide. It is estimated that equipping every home with a carbon monoxide device would cut accident-related costs by 93 percent. Carbon Monoxide devices provide a vital, highly effective, and low-cost protection against carbon monoxide poisoning. Protect your family and install California approved carbon monoxide device in your home today. Do not delay this life saving measure. THIS JUST IN. Residential Automatic Fire Sprinklers now required Changes to the 2010 edition of the California Residential Code, requiring Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems in all new residential dwelling construction, will affect many Californians. The requirement for the installation of Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems in newly constructed homes, is not a new requirement in the International Residential Code. However the State of California did not adopt this requirement until the most recent, 2010 edition, of the California Residential Code. This new 2010 edition of the California Residential Code now mandates local jurisdictions to enforce this requirement in all new construction of single family and multiple family dwellings throughout the State of California. Continued on page 6 Volume 4 Issue 1 CHAT WITH THE C.B.O. Hello again, It is great to be back with you all again. I want to discuss a couple of important matters with you in this issue. One is the new requirement for Carbon Monoxide detectors. Carbon monoxide poisoning has become a very dangerous issue throughout the U.S., with many deaths being reported over the recent past. As reported in our feature article, The Center for Disease control and Prevention have estimated that Carbon Monoxide, or CO, kills approximately 500 people each year and injures 20,000 people nationwide. Because Carbon Monoxide is odorless, tasteless and colorless, it is an extremely dangerous poison gas. It is caused by incomplete combustion with some of its sources being from auto exhaust, faulty stoves, heating system fires and also cigarette smoke. So make sure you inspect all of these items in your residence and/or business. Carbon Monoxide is the leading cause of accidental poisoning in the U.S. Our feature article on Carbon Monoxide is highlighted due to a great question raised by one of our local real estate professionals. This leads me to my second point of discussion. That is, if any of you ever have a question or concern relating to requirements, guidelines, or any other matter pertaining to construction, plan review, remodeling, plumbing, HVAC, electrical, Code Compliance/Enforcement, demolition or any other issue which my staff and I can assist with, please do not hesitate to submit your questions or comments to us, either by filling out a service request on the City of El Centro website, by sending us an , by calling us at the office, or by visiting us here at City Hall. We are more than happy to assist you with your questions. If we don t have the answer, or are not directly responsible for the issue to your specific request, we will find it. You can find all contact information in this newsletter. Please be careful in this hot weather here in the beautiful Imperial Valley and enjoy the rest of your summer. As always, we are here to serve you, the great citizens of the City of El Centro. Until the next issue, I am Bob Williams, the Building Official.

2 2 Questions about Carbon Monoxide device installation? When do I need to install a carbon monoxide device? Carbon monoxide devices must be installed in all single-family dwellings by July 1, All other dwelling units must have carbon monoxide devices installed by January 1, This law applies only to homes and dwelling units that have a fossil fuel burning heater or appliance, fireplace or an attached garage. Where should I install the carbon monoxide devices? Outside of each separate dwelling unit sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedroom. On every level of a dwelling unit including basements. As specified in the manufacturer s installation instructions and in accordance with NFPA 720. Which carbon monoxide devices meet California's standards? The Office of the State Fire Marshal (SFM) has developed a list of certified CO devices that meet the requirement specified within the Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act of For a complete list of currently approved devices please visit the State Fire Marshal s website at Under the search categories provided, select Carbon Monoxide Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detectors for a complete list of devices. MEET THE STAFF City of El Centro Building & Safety Division & Code Enforcement Division Anna Garcia Secretarial Assistant Anna s duties involve answering the phones, processing building permits and helping customers at the front counter. She is a cheerful face, meeting customers at the front counter ready to assist with all Building and Safety and Code Enforcement process needs. She has been with the City of El Centro for almost 4 years and has become an integral part of this administrative team. DIVISIONS OF BUILDING AND SAFETY & CODE ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITY January 1-August 1, 2011 Building Permits Issued 417 Building Inspections 1400 Code Enforcement cases initiated 258 Code Enforcement Inspections 1500 Administrative Citations issued 85 Code Enforcement cases closed 157

3 3 The newly adopted 2010 California Residential Code also requires the installation of Carbon Monoxide Detectors in dwelling units and in sleeping units within which fuel-burning appliances are installed and in dwelling units that have attached garages California Residential Code requirements for Carbon Monoxide Alarms: R315.1 New construction: An approved carbon monoxide alarm shall be installed in dwelling units and in sleeping units within which fuel-burning appliances are installed and in dwelling units that have attached garages. R Power supply: For new construction required carbon monoxide alarms shall receive their primary power from the building wiring where such wiring is served from a commercial source and shall be equipped with a battery backup. Alarm wiring shall be directly connected to the permanent building wiring without a disconnecting switch other than as required for over-current protection. Exceptions: 1. In dwelling units where there is no commercial power supply the carbon monoxide alarm may be solely battery operated. 2. In existing dwelling units a carbon monoxide alarm is permitted to be solely battery operated where repairs or alterations do not result in the removal of wall and ceiling finishes or there is no access by means of attic, basement or crawl space. R Interconnection. Where more than one carbon monoxide alarm is required to be installed within the dwelling unit or within a sleeping unit the alarm shall be interconnected in a manner that activation of one alarm shall activate all of the alarms in the individual unit. Exception: 1. Interconnection is not required in existing dwelling units where repairs do not result in the removal of wall and ceiling finishes, there is no access by means of attic, basement or crawl space, and no Previous method for interconnection existed. R315.2 Where required in existing dwellings: Where a permit is required for alterations, repairs or additions exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), existing dwellings or sleeping units that have attached garages or fuel-burning appliances shall be provided with a carbon monoxide alarm in accordance with Section R Carbon monoxide alarms shall only be required in the specific dwelling unit or sleeping unit for which the permit was obtained. Carbon monoxide alarms required by Sections R315.1 and R315.2 shall be installed in the following locations: 1. Outside of each separate dwelling unit sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms. 2. On every level of a dwelling unit including basements. R Multiple-purpose alarms: Carbon monoxide alarms combined with smoke alarms shall comply with Section R315, all applicable standards, and requirements for listing and approval by the Office of the State Fire Marshal, for smoke alarms. CA joins 34 other states with CO legislation

4 4 Carbon Monoxide Safety Carbon Monoxide Can Be Deadly You can t see or smell carbon monoxide, but at high levels it can kill a person in minutes. Carbon monoxide (CO) is produced whenever any fuel such as gas, oil, kerosene, wood, or charcoal is burned. If appliances that burn fuel are maintained and used properly, the amount of CO produced is usually not hazardous. However, if appliances are not working properly or are used incorrectly, dangerous levels of CO can result. Hundreds of people die accidently every year from CO poisoning caused by malfunctioning or improperly used fuel-burning appliances. Even more die from CO produced by idling cars. Fetuses, infants, elderly people, and people with anemia or with a history of heart of respiratory disease can be especially susceptible. Be safe. Practice the DO s and DON Ts of carbon monoxide. CO Poisoning Symptoms Know the symptoms of CO poisoning. At moderate levels, you or your family can get severe headaches, become dizzy, mentally confused, nauseated, or faint. You can even die if these levels persist for a long time. Low levels can cause shortness of breath, mild nausea, and mild headaches, and may have longer term effects on your health. Since many of these symptoms are similar to those of the flu, food poisoning, or other illnesses, you may not think that Co poisoning could be the cause. Prevent CO Poisoning Play it Safe If you experience symptoms that you think could be from CO poisoning: CALL 911 or your local emergency number. GET FRESH AIR IMMEDIATELY. Open doors and windows, turn off combustion appliances and leave the house. DO NOT re-inter the premises until cleared by emergency personnel. GO TO AN EMERGENCY ROOM and tell the physician you suspect CO poisoning. If CO poisoning has occurred, it can often be diagnosed by a blood test done soon after exposure. Safety Tips Follow these guidelines to help keep your family safer. Install CO alarms outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home including the basement. The CO alarm can warn you if too much CO is in your home. Keep CO alarms clear of dust and debris. Ensure CO alarms are plugged all the way into a working outlet, or if battery operated, have working batteries. Prevention is the key to Avoiding Carbon Monoxide Poisoning DO have your fuel-burning appliances including oil and gas furnaces, gas water heaters, gas ranges, and ovens, gas dryers, gas or kerosene space heaters, fireplaces, and wood stoves - inspected by a trained professional at the beginning of every heating season. Make certain that the flues and chimneys are connected, in good condition, and not blocked. DO choose appliances that vent their fumes to the outside whenever possible, have them properly installed, and maintain them according to manufacturers instructions. DO read and follow all of the instructions that accompany any fuel-burning device. If you cannot avoid using an unvented gas of kerosene space heater, carefully follow the cautions that come with the device and keep doors to the rest of the house open. Crack a window to ensure enough air for ventilation and proper fuel-burning. DON T idle the car in a garage even if the garage door to the outside is open. Fumes can build up very quickly in the garage and living area of your home, even for a short time. DON T use a gas oven to heat your home, even for a short time. DON T sleep in any room with an unvented gas or kerosene space heater. DON T use any gasoline-powered engines (mowers, week trimmers, snow blowers, chain saws, small engines or generators) in enclosed spaces. DON T ignore symptoms, particularly if more than one person is feeling them. You could lose consciousness and die if you do nothing.

5 5 Are you doing all you can to keep your family safe? Take the quiz below. 1) What is the most common cause of injury in the home? A) Fire & Burns B) Poisonings C) Drowning D) Falls E) Choking/Suffocation 2) Which home safety topics should you discuss with your kids before they go to college and/or move out on their own? A) Keep their rooms organized to prevent clutter B) How to prevent fires C) How to prepare for an emergency D) How to create their own fire escape plan E) All of the above 3) Which of the following are safe activities to entertain children who live in or visit your home? A) Put a little water in a wading pool for children to play in while you read B) Have children help you cook dinner by the stove C) Plan and practice a fire escape plan D) Give children snacks to eat while they play on the floor E) All of the above 4) Where is the best place to store common household cleaners, medications and toiletries in your home? A) On the kitchen counter B) Under the sink C) On a shelf in the laundry D) In a high cabinet with a child safety lock 5) Which of the following is NOT part of a family disaster communication plan? A) Choose safe meeting places both inside and outside of your home B) Fill out a communication card for each member to always carry with them C) Prepare Ready-Kits with all the necessary supplies you ll need to stay in your home or leave it for a few days D) Have lots of candles and a generator inside the house in case the power goes out 6) Which of the following statements is true about home fire sprinklers? A) Smoke causes the sprinklers to go off B) Home fire sprinklers give your family more time to escape C) If one sprinkler goes off, they all do D) A home fire sprinkler causes more damage than a fire hose E) All of the above 7) What steps can you take to help protect older adults who live alone from home injury? A) Install grab bars and include non-slip mats in the shower/bath tub B) Make sure all stairways have handrails on both sides C) Track medications and throw away old medications D) Be sure walkways and stairs are clear of clutter E) All of the above Answers can be found on page 7

6 6 THIS JUST IN. Continued from page 1 The State of California Building Standards Commission, adopts the International Residential Code, which is published by the International Code Council. This is the model code for the majority of the United States. Through a lengthy and tedious process, the California Building Standards Commission then prepares amendments to the code which are added into this model code. The International Residential Code, with the California Amendments are then published and adopted together by California, thereby creating a document called the California Residential Code. This same amendment process is then completed for all the codes relating to construction in California, such as the Plumbing Code, the Mechanical Code, the Electrical Code, the Fire Code and all other codes pertaining to development and construction within the State of California. Previous editions of the International Residential Code contained this Automatic Fire Sprinkler System requirement for single family and multiple family dwellings; however the State of California did not adopt this requirement into their amendments until this current, 2010 edition of the codes. That is why this is now a mandated requirement for the entire State of California, which includes all County and City jurisdictions. Of course, this also includes the City of El Centro. So, although the requirement is new to most cities and counties in California, such as the City of El Centro, it is certainly not a new requirement for those jurisdictions adopting prior editions of the International Residential Code. California has always been the trend setters in construction and code technology. For that reason, they have an amendment process which allows the State Architect, Building Standards Commission, Department of Community Development, State Fire Marshal and other state agencies to amend the model code and remain on the cutting edge of life, health and safety concerns in regards to construction. Additional requirements of this code mandate that all new carports with habitable space above and attached garages also be protected with Automatic Fire Sprinklers, when constructed with new residential dwellings. These are minimum requirements in this current edition of the codes. Of course, as is always the case, there are exceptions and variances to these requirements. For example, rooms such as bathrooms, pantries, etc., smaller than 55 square feet in area are not required to be protected with automatic fire sprinklers. Another exception involves existing, unprotected construction. Any additions and/or alterations to existing residential construction which is not currently protected by automatic fire sprinklers, including attached garages and carports with habitable space above, will not be required to have automatic fire sprinklers installed during the construction. It would be wise however, to direct any questions relating to these exceptions should be directed to the City of El Centro s Department of Building and Safety. We will do our best to find the answers to all of your questions. So although this may slightly increase the cost of new construction, the benefits will be worth it. There has been much debate on this issue in many states as Home Builder Associations (HBA s) in many states have pulled out all the stops in an effort to block adoption of the International Residential Code automatic fire sprinkler provisions. However, the Residential industry in California supported the adoption of the IRC with the residential sprinkler requirement included. Again, California is always on the leading edge when it comes to life, health and safety issues affecting our citizens. Facts About Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Nearly nine in 10 California households (89%) are not in compliance with the national recommendation for the number of carbon monoxide detectors in a home set by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Only about 40 percent of U.S. households have at least one CO alarm. In contrast, 96 percent of homes report having a smoke alarm, according to the National Fire Protection Association (2002). Each year about 450 people die and nearly 21,000 CO exposures occur. CO alarms are critical to providing early warning if CO leaks or accumulation occurs in the home.

7 7 Gone But Not Forgotten As some of you may know, the old Southern Pacific building near 4th Street & Main has recently been demolished. Many of you have voiced your concerns over the demolition. But prior to the demolition, many complaints were received by the Code Enforcement Division regarding the deteriorating condition of the building. It was covered with graffiti and mostly unsecured, which left it accessible to curious individuals (i.e. vagrants, children, etc). Pieces of roofing material along with other debris from the building would blow onto adjoining properties when the wind would blow. As difficult as it was to see it go, the owners (Union / Southern Pacific) determined that it was time to remove the building. This was solely the owner s decision and perhaps we ll see a new building in the future. Current Photos by Melanie Sullivan Answers to Safe Haven Quiz 1) Answer: d Falls Falls are by far the leading cause of unintentional home injury death especially for older adults and young children. 2) Answer: e All of the above Before sending your kids off to college, teach them basic safety skills like having a fire escape plan and the importance of keeping a clean room to prevent falls. Along with school supplies, send them off with safety essentials like flameless candles, batteries and flashlights. 3) Answer: d Practice your fire escape plan with them. Make a fire escape plan and practice it with your children. Practice makes perfect. Hold fire drills during the day and at night, until they are comfortable. 4) Answer: d In a high cabinet with a child safety lock. Read the labels of the products you bring into your home. Look for the words Caution, Warning, Poison, Danger, or Keep Out of Reach of Children. Store these products in a locked cabinet, away from food and drink. 5) Answer: d Have lots of candles and a generator inside the house in case the power goes out. Candles and generators can help if the power goes out, but they also pose serious safety risks if used improperly. You should never use a portable generator inside your home. As a safer alternative to traditional candles, have flameless candles on-hand in case the power goes out. 6) Answer: b Home fire sprinklers give your family more time to escape. Home fire sprinklers keep the fire small and the smoke from spreading giving you and your family more time to get outside to safety. 7) Answer: e All of the above. Taking a comprehensive approach to home safety will help protect the older adults you love from falls and poisonings two of the leading causes of home injury.

8 8 D O I T Y O U R S E L F? Photo by Frank Soto Does this comply with code? Any code?? In each issue we will publish a photo of questionable construction. If you have a photo you think may enlighten homeowners or show how not to do-it-yourself, feel free to send it to us. You can either it to codeenforcement@cityofelcentro.org, or mail it to Newsletter c/o Code Enforcement Division, 1275 Main Street, El Centro, CA INFORMATION SOURCES Home Safety Council ( State of California ( Cal Fire ( California Residential Code Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( American Medical Association ( Flikr ( NEWSLETTER STAFF Editor in Chief..Bob Williams Assistant Editor, Graphic & Layout Design.Melanie Sullivan Photography provided by Frank Soto & Melanie Sullivan