NEW CO detector Law in NY

New Law Requires CO Detectors

Amanda’s Law, passed in the 2009 Session of the New York State Legislature, will establish a new requirement for installation of carbon monoxide (CO) detectors in homes.

Under the law, one-family homes, two-family homes, dwellings located in condominiums or cooperatives, and multiple dwellings must have a carbon monoxide detector installed regardless of the date of construction or sale. The law was named after Amanda Hansen, a teenager whose life was tragically ended by a carbon monoxide leak from a defective boiler while she was sleeping at a friend’s house in January 2009.

The new law requires that the carbon monoxide detector be a device that meets New York State standards, and that it be installed in an operable condition in dwellings where there are appliances or systems that may emit carbon monoxide, or have an attached garage. This creates a safer living environment for New York residents and creates a greater awareness of home safety issues that are intensified by seasonal heating issues prevalent in the Northeast.

Amanda’s Law took effect on February 22, 2010.

CO Facts
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas produced by burning material containing carbon. You can't see it, smell it, or taste it; but carbon monoxide can kill you.
It is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in America--known as the "silent killer." The Centers for Disease Control estimates that carbon monoxide poisoning claims nearly 500 lives, and causes more than 15,000 visits to hospital emergency departments annually.
It is produced by common household appliances. When not properly ventilated, carbon monoxide emitted by these appliances can build up.
Early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning such as headaches, nausea, and fatigue, are often mistaken for the flu because the deadly gas goes undetected in a home. Prolonged exposure can lead to brain damage and even death.

Sources of carbon monoxide:
Gas water heaters
Kerosene space heaters
Charcoal grills
Propane heaters and stoves
Gasoline and diesel powered generators
Gasoline powered concrete saws
Indoor tractor pulls
Any boat with an engine
Spray paint, solvents, degreasers, and paint removers

What are the suggestions for a location? Ceiling? Wall? I have one, but need to add others to be safer.

When all fails--read the directions all our smoke detectors are on the ceiling,by stairwells & arch ways---the CO2's we put 2 about 3 ft up on the walls & one close to the stove pipe going up through the ceiling---I'm not going to dig out the paperwork,but,I'm pretty sure that's what they suggested

I have them on the walls, one near the stove, one near the outlet of the furnace on the first floor and in the hallway upstairs, 3 are plug in, 1 is battery.
And various smoke alarms (4 or 5). I think I am covered.

Not to be anti coal , but doesn't that kinda tell ya something bout burning coal? I had 1 CO detector buy my oil burner. Never once went off in over 15 years. Sure I was a rookie to burning coal when I started. Pretty much learn as I went. If I told you guys about trying to light my first fire , one of ya come here and smack me upside head. I tryed get best burn from draft reduction. Well after 2 CO alarms , I finally got it dialed in. They are needed with burning coal. Now I probally could go without knowing the stove now. But I still keep 2 electric ones and the one by the oil boiler. Man I have keep changing my spelling. Keyboard sticks bad , have stay away from them porn sites.

Ken,hence the point,I'm sure you also know your keyboard & typing skills,but it still screws up-same with the co2 detecters--you may know the stove,but,just in case--I'd say they are one of those must haves Later my friend

ken wrote:Not to be anti coal , but doesn't that kinda tell ya something bout burning coal? I had 1 CO detector buy my oil burner. Never once went off in over 15 years. Sure I was a rookie to burning coal when I started. Pretty much learn as I went. If I told you guys about trying to light my first fire , one of ya come here and smack me upside head. I tryed get best burn from draft reduction. Well after 2 CO alarms , I finally got it dialed in. They are needed with burning coal. Now I probally could go without knowing the stove now. But I still keep 2 electric ones and the one by the oil boiler. Man I have keep changing my spelling. Keyboard sticks bad , have stay away from them porn sites.

Coal had nothing to do with it. The law was passed based on a death that didn't involve a coal fired appliance. Gas and Oil appliances are so automated that people get complacent and forget to even maintain them. This is why the lawmakers decided to mandate co detectors.

You sure the Kidde plant isn't in some NYS assemblyman's district? Or maybe they just wanted to boost Lowes and Home Depot sales figures.

I'm sure they believe they've done the "right thing" and they truly do care about those that will be saved by this law, but I have to wonder how many actually asked the question "Is it our role or the role of government to intervene in this way?" before they passed it into law. Somehow I doubt very many did. Somewhere along the way government and we as constituents got it in our heads that government's role is to protect ourselves from our own decisions and ignorance. If someone is stupid enough to have a combustion device heating their home without CO detectors, that is a shame, but it is not the role of government to correct that stupidity or to save someone's children from the stupidity of their parents. Preventable deaths are unfortunate, but they are not the fault of the state or our representatives and they certainly not pass laws and regulations into effect as if they were responsible or had some kind of meta-responsibility for adults who make bad decisions.

Seat belts, helmets, pool fences, warnings on window blind cords, regulations on railing rung spacing, salt use laws, trans fat laws, warnings on cigarette packs, cancer warnings on everything (in California), CFL bulb use laws (coming soon!), and on and on... Motives may be good, but it is all also oppressive in scale and scope. And ever growing.

Well my Syracuse friend,I would bet my meager monthly SSA check that we have lawyers to thank for these particular problems Oh geeze,I wonder how many politicians come from a legal background

Also has to do with the nexus between insurance companies and governments. So many of these laws and regs and codes are put in place because insurance companies, not wanting to pay out policies, lobby to get the regs put in place so they are off the hook on previously payable events.

And a whole bull pen full of lawyers manipulating the wording to enable them to NOT do what they should