Carbon Monoxide Law

Colorado House Bill 1091 requires all homes and apartment buildings for sale in
Colorado, as well as rented apartments and homes, must have Carbon Monoxide
Detectors installed within fifteen feet of the door to any room lawfully used for sleeping if
the home has a fuel-burning appliance, fireplace or attached garage. Fuel-burning
appliances would include, but are not limited to, space heaters, furnaces, water heaters,
ovens, stoves, gas fireplaces, etc. which are fueled by gas, coal, kerosene, wood or
other fuel that emits carbon monoxide as a byproduct. Homeowners and Apartment
Owners also have to install detectors if they complete any major renovations or
additions.

A Carbon Monoxide Detector or CO Detector is a device that detects the presence of
the Carbon Monoxide (CO) in order to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. CO is a
colorless and odorless compound produced by incomplete combustion that is lethal at
high concentrations. If a high concentration of CO is detected, the device sounds an
alarm, giving people in the area a chance to ventilate the area or safely leave the
building.

CO Detectors do not serve as Smoke Detectors and vice versa. However, dual
Smoke/CO Detectors are also sold. Smoke Detectors detect the smoke generated by
flaming or smoldering fires, whereas CO Detectors can alarm people about faulty fuel
burning devices.

If your CO Detector alarm sounds, turn off appliances or other sources of combustion at
once. Immediately get fresh air into the premises by opening doors and windows and
evacuate the premises. Call a qualified technician and have the problem fixed prior to
restarting any appliances. If anyone is experiencing symptoms of CO poisoning
(headaches, dizziness, vomiting) call emergency services and move to fresh air.