Includes More Places Of Assembly
The carbon monoxide (CO) detector requirement in its building code was expanded through legislation signed by Mayor Bill de Blasio last Friday, Apr. 25.
Intro. No. 11, which passed the City Council unanimously in an Apr. 10 vote, mandates the installation of CO detector systems in new buildings with assembly places and that feature a fire alarm system. Existing structures are grandfathered in, but owners will be required to install CO detectors if and when fire alarm systems are replaced.
The current building code requires that property owners install the detectors in dwelling units served by any kind of appliances (such as a stove or hot water heater) that may produce carbon monoxide-a colorless, odorless gas that is fatal to anyone exposed to excessive amounts in a short period of time.
“This important bill amends the New York City building code to increase the number of life-saving carbon monoxide detectors in our city,” de Blasio said before signing the bill last Friday. “East year, about 200 people are hospitalized because of accidental carbon monoxide poisoning, and people are dying needlessly.”
The law de Blasio signed requires CO detectors in places of assembly such as restaurants, taverns, nightclubs, bars, catering halls, movie theaters, houses of worship and other venues where large numbers of people gather.
The Department of Buildings will adopt rules and standards for the installation of CO detector systems. Provisions of the law take effect on Oct. 1.
Local sponsors of the legislation include City Council Majority Leader Jimmy Van Bramer and City Council Members Elizabeth Crowley, Daniel Dromm, Rafael Espinal, Julissa Ferreras, Karen Koslowitz, Antonio Reynoso, Donovan Richards, Eric Ulrich and Ruben Wills.
