Carbon Monoxide Detectors Required In Summit Commercial Buildings

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SUMMIT, NJ - Changes in construction and fire codes have prompted officials in Summit to put the call out that carbon monoxide detectors are now required in commercial buildings.

“Carbon monoxide is primarily a concern in buildings with fuel-burning appliance,” said Summit Fire Chief Eric Evers. “If a building has natural gas or oil-fired appliances, including a furnace, boiler, water heater, stove or clothes dryer, then CO detection will be required. This requirement will be enforced during all annual fire inspections.”

According to Evers, the Summit Fire Department is providing area businesses with information on new code regulations for carbon monoxide detection in accordance with recently modified Uniform Construction Code (UCC) and Uniform Fire Code (UFC) to require Carbon Monoxide (CO) detectors in all businesses and commercial properties.

Carbon monoxide detection is required to be installed in the immediate vicinity of all sources of carbon monoxide.

In addition to providing detection at the source, the following additional areas need to be protected:

  • Spaces adjacent to the source of carbon monoxide.In the immediate vicinity of any shaft, including but not limited to, stair towers, elevator shafts and ventilation shafts at the level of the potential source of carbon monoxide.

  • At the first register or grill off the main duct trunk(s) from the HVAC equipment that is a potential source of carbon monoxide.

  • In any story that is within two stories of a source of carbon monoxide.

Carbon monoxide alarms must be UL 720 listed. The units may be battery-operated, plug-in, or hard-wired. Combination fire and carbon monoxide detection systems are permitted; there is no requirement for fire
department notification. There are specific cases where the Uniform Fire Code exempts the installation of carbon monoxide detectors, including repair garages, battery charging areas and most warehouses.

Those with questions or who need more information can contact the Summit Fire Departments Fire Prevention Division at 908-277-9360 or nfabrizio@cityofsummit.org

(Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

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