Thread: carbon monoxide detector requirement

Anyone know the requirement for carbon monoxide detectors for new construction? Years ago I was told that June 2010 and newer needed one CO detector per floor and that has been what I have found installed in new houses (if they remembered at all.) However, AHJ guy told me the other day that the requirement is one per house not per floor. Is he right?

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Don't have code reference but have always heard one per house. In Mecklenburg Co. it doesn't matter the age of the house, it can't be sold without one.

This is a building code issue, not an electrical code issue.

It also varies from state to state, area to area.

In Florida, in a house which has a fossil fuel burning appliance and/or an attached garage, a carbon monoxide detector is required within 10 feet of any room used for sleeping.

From the 2009 IRC:
- R315.1 Carbon monoxide alarms. For new construction, an approved carbon monoxide alarm shall be installed outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms in dwelling units within which fuel-fired appliances are installed and in dwelling units that have attached garages.

WakeGOV.com - Carbon Monoxide Alarm Requirements

Carbon Monoxide Alarm Requirements


The following code sections were approved by the North Carolina Building Code Council and became effective January 1, 2011. These concern the location for Carbon Monoxide Detectors in new and existing dwellings.


2009 NC Residential Code

R313 Carbon Monoxide Alarms. (090609 Item B-11)

R313.1.1 Carbon monoxide alarms. In new construction, dwelling units shall be provided with an approved carbon monoxide alarm installed outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedroom(s) as directed by the alarm manufacturer.
R313.1.2 Where required – existing dwellings. In existing dwellings, where interior alterations, repairs, fuel-fired appliance replacements, or additions requiring a permit occurs, or where one or more sleeping rooms are added or created, carbon monoxide alarms shall be provided in accordance with Section 313.1.1.
R313.1.3 Alarm requirements. The required carbon monoxide alarms shall be audible in all bedrooms over background noise levels with all intervening doors closed. Single station carbon monoxide alarms shall be listed as complying with UL 2034 and shall be installed in accordance with this code and the manufacturer’s installation instructions.
(subsequent sections will be renumbered)
The delayed effective date of this Rule is January 1, 2011.
The Statutory authority for Rule-making is G.S. 143-136; 143-138.