A colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas, Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a life-threatening by-product found in fumes produced by burning gasoline, propane, wood, charcoal, or other fuel used in vehicles, furnaces, stoves, fireplaces, gas ranges, or grills. Most of the time CO is released in the air outside, where it is relatively harmless. But when CO accumulates in a tightly sealed or enclosed space, like a home or building, it can be very lethal, very fast.
As a result, the installation of mandatory carbon monoxide detection systems for commercial properties and indoor places of public assembly came into effect in New York State in June 2015. Named the Steven Nelson’s Law, the mandate was initiated after restaurant manager Steven Nelson died from a carbon monoxide leak. In 2018, the Department of Buildings (DOB) proposed an amendment to 1 RCNY 908-01 in compliance with LL191, relating to carbon monoxide detector placement and subsequent connection to fire alarm systems, encompassing additional occupancy types as well as retroactive requirements for existing buildings. The new law goes into effect 1/1/2021.
As a Facility Manager, staying up to date on all of the fire and life safety matters—especially with requirements for carbon monoxide alarms—in all of your locations, can be a lot to ask. Contracting with a National Fire & Life Safety Provider will help you stay in the know while keeping you up to code, like New City’s new Local Law 191 on CO detector placement and installation.
