Carbon Monoxide Bill
Signed into Law in California

The Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act of 2010 (SB 183), was signed into law by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger last month, marking a significant win for the citizens of California and the life safety community and industry.

“The enactment of this bill—and the adoption of similar provisions in the 2010 state codes—will reduce the likelihood of carbon monoxide poisoning and protect the health and safety of California’s families and tourists,” said NEMA President and CEO Evan R. Gaddis.

SB 183 requires existing homes and dwelling units to be outfitted with carbon monoxide (CO) alarms, beginning in July 2011. The new law will complement provisions in the 2010 California Residential Code and 2010 California Building Code that require the installation of CO detection and notification devices in new dwellings in the state, beginning in January 2011.

With passage of this law, California joins more than two dozen other states in requiring CO protection in homes and other residential and commercial occupancies.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is the leading cause of accidental poisoning death in the United States. High concentrations of CO—a colorless, odorless gas that is produced when fossil fuel is incompletely burned—can cause cognitive impairment, loss of consciousness, coma, and often death.

Carbon monoxide detection and notification devices installed in residential and other dwellings provide an effective way to reduce the incidence of CO poisoning, says NEMA, the association of electrical and medical imaging equipment manufacturers.

Founded in 1926 and headquartered near Washington, D.C., its approximately 450 member companies manufacture products used in the generation, transmission and distribution, control and end use of electricity. For more on NEMA, go to www.nema.org. FSM