§ 11-295. Carbon Monoxide Detectors.

(a)

This Section shall apply to any new residential unit for which an initial building permit is issued on or after January 1, 2007 or any existing unit where there is a sale or transfer of ownership and which is to be constructed or has been constructed with a gas heating system, fuel burning appliances, and/or an attached garage. This Section shall also apply to all new and existing One- and Two- Family, Multi-family, Hotel, Motel, and Dormitory residential dwellings with a gas heating system, fuel burning appliances, and/or an attached garage. Carbon monoxide detectors shall be installed in new and existing residential dwellings by July 1, 2014, in the manner hereinafter provided, unless any other provision of County, State or Federal law shall require installation before that date.

(b)

General Requirements.

(1)

Requirements for new and existing one- and two-family residential dwellings. The requirements for installation and maintenance of a carbon monoxide detector in a new or existing one- and two-family residential dwelling shall be at least one (1) carbon monoxide detector installed on each level of the dwelling in close proximity to sleeping quarters in a residence constructed or to be constructed with a gas heating system, fuel burning appliances, and/or an attached garage. For a new residence, carbon monoxide detectors shall be directly hardwired to the building's power supply and have a battery-powered backup. For an existing residence, carbon monoxide detectors shall be AC and/or battery powered/backup. Each carbon monoxide detector must comply with all applicable Federal and State regulations and must bear the label of a nationally recognized standard testing laboratory. Each detector must be an Underwriters Laboratory (U.L.) 2034 listed product or its equivalent. The owner/occupant of each dwelling unit shall be responsible for installing, inspecting and maintaining the carbon monoxide detectors in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications.

(2)

Multi-family apartment house. It shall be the responsibility of the owner of each new or existing multi-family apartment house to install carbon monoxide detectors in each such multi-family dwelling unit intended to be used or originally built or designed to be used for residential purposes, not to include any dwelling unit within any structure which has been wholly converted to a non-residential use.

(3)

Hotels and motels. Subject to the limitations of Section 12-1104 of the Public Safety Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, the owner of each new or existing hotel and motel shall install a carbon monoxide detector in a central location outside of each sleeping area within a dwelling, in the manner hereinafter provided.

(4)

Dormitories. The owner of each new or existing dormitory shall install carbon monoxide detectors near sleeping areas, in the manner hereinafter provided.

(5)

Existing residential units that undergo a sale or transfer of ownership. It shall be the responsibility of the seller or transferor to install carbon monoxide detectors before or at the time of the transfer of ownership of the following residences:

(A)

One- and two-family residential dwellings. The requirements for installation and maintenance of a carbon monoxide detector in an existing one- and two-family residential dwelling shall be at least one (1) battery-powered carbon monoxide detector installed on each level of the dwelling in close proximity to sleeping quarters in a residence with a gas heating system, fuel burning appliances, and/or an attached garage. Each carbon monoxide detector must comply with all applicable Federal and State regulations and must bear the label of a nationally recognized standard testing laboratory. Each detector must be an Underwriters Laboratory (U.L.) 2034 listed product or its equivalent. The subsequent owner/occupant of each dwelling unit shall be responsible for inspecting and maintaining the carbon monoxide detectors in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications.

(B)

Multi-family apartment house. It shall be the responsibility of the seller or transferor of each multi-family apartment house to install carbon monoxide detectors in each such multi-family dwelling unit intended to be used or originally built or designed to be used for residential purposes, not to include any dwelling unit within any structure which has been wholly converted to a non-residential use.

(C)

Hotels and motels. Subject to the limitations of Section 12-1104 of the Public Safety Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, it shall be the responsibility of the seller or transferor of each hotel and motel to install a carbon monoxide detector in a central location outside of each sleeping area within a dwelling, in the manner hereinafter provided, unless any other provision of County, State or Federal law requires installation before January 1, 2007.

(D)

Dormitories. It shall be the responsibility of the seller or transferor of each dormitory to install carbon monoxide detectors near sleeping areas, in the manner hereinafter provided, unless any other provision of County, State or Federal law requires installation before January 1, 2007.

(c)

Location. At least one (1) carbon monoxide detector shall be installed in close proximity to the access for each sleeping area in a residence constructed or to be constructed with a gas heating system, fuel burning appliances, and/or an attached garage.

(d)

Installation. For a new residence, carbon monoxide detectors shall be directly hardwired to the building's power supply and have a battery-powered backup. For an existing residence, carbon monoxide detectors shall be AC and/or battery powered/backup. Each carbon monoxide detector must comply with all applicable federal and state regulations and must bear the label of a nationally recognized standard testing laboratory. Each detector must be an Underwriters Laboratory (UL.). 2034 listed product or its equivalent.

(e)

Maintenance of carbon monoxide detectors in multi-family apartment houses, hotels, motels, and dormitories. It shall be the responsibility of the property owner or agent to annually inspect and maintain any carbon monoxide detector, installed in compliance with the provisions of this Section, in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications and/or suggested maintenance schedule. In addition, the property owner shall provide any tenant access to a copy of the maintenance schedule, operating manual, and any other instructional or precautionary literature, which the manufacturer may supply with the unit.

(f)

Certification at change in occupancy. At every change of occupancy or tenancy in any multi-family dwelling unit occasioned by or incidental to a sale, lease, sublease, or change in tenancy, it shall be the duty of the grantor thereof to certify to the owner/occupant, at the time of conveyance and before occupancy, that all carbon monoxide detectors as required by this Section (or other applicable laws) are installed and in proper working condition.

(g)

It shall be the responsibility of the property owner/occupant to annually inspect and maintain any carbon monoxide detector, installed in compliance with the provisions of this Section, in accordance with the manufacturer's specification and/or suggested maintenance schedule.

(CB-80-2006; CB-34-2012; CB-96-2012; CB-75-2017)