Carbon Monoxide Detectors: What California Law Requires

In addition to the current Smoke Detector law on the books, in the year 2010 Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed California Senate Bill 183 (The Carbon Monoxide Poison Prevention Act of 2010) into law. The law applies to dwellings intended for human occupancy that have a fossil fuel burning appliance, fireplace or an attached garage. The law went into effect on January 1, 2011 for single family dwellings; July 1, 2011 for existing rental units; and January 1, 2013 for apartment building units.

Carbon monoxide alarms are one item on a longer list. California implies a warranty of habitability into every residential lease, and the standards behind it have been expanding, with appliance requirements arriving in 2026. We look at what that shift means for a landlord’s insurance exposure.

This article describes California requirements as we understand them and explains where they touch insurance. It is not legal advice, and carbon monoxide and habitability rules change at both state and local level. Confirm current requirements with the appropriate authority, or with an attorney, before relying on any of it.

For those of you who are absentee owners, you as landlords may enter the unit for purposes of installing, repairing, testing and/or maintaining carbon monoxide devices pursuant to the California Civil Code (section 1954). The bill also mandates that a tenant give the landlord notice if the tenant discovers that a detector is not working properly.

What is Carbon Monoxide?
Carbon monoxide (CO) is produced when fuels such as propane, wood and other natural gases are not burned completely. When it is inhaled, oxygen is displaced in the blood and starves vital organs of oxygen. In addition, appliances found inside our homes if they are not properly installed or maintained can produce carbon monoxide. Specifically, gas driven appliances such as dryers, refrigerators, stoves, fireplaces or water heaters are examples. Additionally, fumes from cars in an attached garage can work their way into our homes through doors and walls if the engine is left running. It is vital that your household heaters, chimney(s) and flue be inspected and maintained yearly.

Proper Placement:
Per the Consumer Product Safety Commission it is recommended that every household install at least one carbon monoxide detector near each sleeping area on each level of the home. For existing homes it may be battery operated, plug-in with a battery backup or hardwired with a battery backup as well. You can find these products inexpensively offered at home improvement stores or on-line.

In closing, there is no better time than the present to make sure all systems of your home are working properly. Remember, it’s the law.

NOTE: This information is a summary of California SB 183, Chapter number 19, 2010; 2010 Edition of the California Residential Code, Section 315; 2010 Edition of the California Building Code, Section 420 and is presented as general reference material ONLY.

For specific compliance requirements please refer to the actual law or regulation and follow the specific manufacturer installation material.

Detectors are a legal requirement rather than a coverage question, but the loss that follows a failure is squarely an insurance one. Request a quote if you want your liability and property limits reviewed alongside it.

Disclaimer

This article is provided by Schneiderman Insurance Agency for general informational purposes only. It is not legal, tax, financial, claims, or coverage advice. We are licensed insurance professionals, not attorneys, accountants, or financial advisors, and nothing here should be relied on as a substitute for advice from a qualified professional in those fields. This content is general in nature and is not a review of, or a recommendation for, any individual reader’s specific insurance needs, policies, or circumstances. Insurance coverage depends entirely on the specific terms, conditions, endorsements, exclusions, limits, underwriting eligibility, carrier, and facts of each situation, and the actual policy language always controls. We do not guarantee any coverage, pricing, eligibility, underwriting approval, or claim outcome. Reading this article does not create an agent-client relationship. To understand how these issues apply to your situation, please review your own policy and speak with a licensed insurance professional, and consult legal, tax, or financial advisors where appropriate.