Carbon Monoxide Alarm News

Carbon Monoxide Alarms – WAC 51-51-0315 Section R315-Carbon monoxide alarms
It is looking like carbon monoxide alarms are going to be required in all rental units by the first of the year. Get use to the idea and be pro-active in your compliance.
RCW 19.27.530 provides that the tenant is responsible for the maintenance once it is installed. This would include replacing the batteries if needed and checking the testing of the alarm. It would still be best to have this included in your lease agreement to cover all the basic information.
There are two different types of CO alarms, hard wired and plug in battery operated. You can have either one and be in compliance of the law since it does not state you have to have one over another. The battery or batter backup would seem to be the most preferred and the easiest to install and maintain. Plus you have an easier ability to place it in a location that may not have a power source.
Either way you must make sure the CO alarms are listed as complying with UL 2075. This designation means the alarms will alert occupants when CO levels reach a certain concentration and remain there for a period amount of time. Make sure you read the manufacturer’s instructions on the location of where to place the alarms and where not to place them.
Take notice of how many alarms are required in your units. Regulations states that the alarms must be installed outside of each sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms and on each level of the dwelling in accordance to manufacturer’s recommendations. See again the manufacturer’s instructions