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Oregon’s Carbon Monoxide Detector Law Became Effective April 1st

by | Apr 25, 2011

OnlineEd

(OnlineEd – Portland, OR) On April 1, 2011 a new law went into effect requiring carbon monoxide detectors in all residential dwellings with a carbon monoxide source (gas fireplace, furnace, etc).  Landlords must provide alarms for all units that contain a source of carbon monoxide as well as instruct tenants how to operate the alarm and leave them written instructions about the alarm. Property sellers or transferors must install the alarms before transferring their property.

The new owner of the property may bring suit against the prior for $250 per unit for failure to install working carbon monoxide detectors before transferring the property.

View Oregon’s carbon monoxide law in its entirety here: https://www.onlineed.com/Oregon_Carbon_Monoxide_Detector

Why?

In large quantities, carbon monoxide can be an extremely dangerous gas, fatal even. It is invisible and odorless, which makes it even harder to detect without the help of sensors or alarms. Carbon monoxide poisoning is a concern that many people don’t really ever think about, but it needs to be taken seriously.

Carbon monoxide is a threat because the molecules attach to your red blood cells much easier than oxygen molecules. This means that vital organs in your body like your heart and brain are greatly impacted and tissue can be damaged. Carbon monoxide poisoning, if severe enough, will kill you.

Carbon monoxide comes from a variety of places around your home, most of which are very common and easy to overlook. The obvious sources are your automobile’s exhaust, furnace, etc. Other common, lesser-known sources include barbecues, generators, and even your gas or wood burning fireplace. A car parked in an attached garage can still be a source in which deadly carbon monoxide gases can leak into the home, even if the garage door is open.

What can you do?

The law states that that a carbon monoxide alarm is required on each level of a home with a sleeping area or bedroom. Alarms may be placed in each bedroom or within 15 feet outside of each sleeping area. Many alarms come equipped with detection capabilities for smoke as well as carbon monoxide so it is possible to have combination alarms installed. Carbon monoxide detectors are not necessarily installed in the same location as your smoke detector, so please be sure to consult your installation instructions.

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