Frank Cooper, an Atlanta Home Inspector, lists the new state of Georgia Carbon Monoxide detector requirements and discusses carbon monoxide risks, symptoms of CO poisoning and how to avoid problems with carbon monoxide.

2. Effective January 1, 2009,
the State of Georgia
adopted a new safety
requirement that all
New Construction Homes
will have at least one
carbon monoxide detector
CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS

3. Georgia Amendment R313.4
The new code requirement s:
•Listed with ANSI/UL 2034 or CSA 6.19 and
installed in accordance with manufacturer’s
installation instructions.
•May be battery operated
•Not required to be interconnected
•Listed combination smoke and CO detector
is acceptable
CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS

4. Georgia Amendment R313.4.1
Location:
Carbon Monoxide Detectors shall be
installed in the general vicinity of each
sleeping area.
CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS

5. What is Carbon Monoxide?
•Invisible, odorless, colorless toxic gas
•Leading cause of poisoning
deaths in U.S.
•Silent Killer – most victims don’t
know they have CO poisoning
•Replaces oxygen in the blood; organs
& tissues fail
CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS

6. Symptoms of Carbon
Monoxide Poisoning
•Early Symptoms can mimic flu
•Fatigue, dizziness, headaches,
vomiting, confusion and
disorientation, trouble
breathing, fainting,
skin discoloration.
CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS

7. RECENT STUDY BY CDC
(Centers for Disease Control)
41% of CO incidents occurred in winter , most
in Holiday Season of December /
January
73% of CO victims were exposed to CO
in their own homes
High percentage of CO incidents occurred
with: gas furnaces, portable stoves,
space heaters, gas powered generators,
charcoal grills, automobiles & lawn
equipment in garage, gas stoves / dryers.
CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS

8. CONSUMER PRODUCT
SAFETY COMMISSION (CPSC)
•Recommends placement of CO
detectors on every floor level of
the home
•Place near the ceiling
•Install in sleeping areas
•Locate near any major gas appliances
•Do not place CO detector within 5 feet
of gas burning appliances or in
cooking areas
CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS

9. WHAT TO DO IF YOU
SUSPECT CO POISONING
•Move victim to a fresh air location such as
outdoors
•Turn off furnace or other sources of heat
•Avoid possible source of CO until a
professional investigates
•Call 911 or contact local / state poison
control center
CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS

10. PREVENTING CO POISONING
•Install CO detectors
•Service all gas appliances and have chimney
inspected annually by a professional
•Insure that gas appliance locations are well
ventilated
•Do not use space heaters or a fireplace while
sleeping
•Do not use oven / range for source of heat
•Do not sleep inside a running car
•No charcoal use inside home or tent
•Don’t warm up car inside the garage even if
the overhead door is open
CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS

11. RESOURCES
State of Georgia Dept of Community Affairs
www.dca.state.ga.us
National Fire Protection Association
www.nfpa.org
Centers For Disease Control (CDC)
www.cdc.gov/co
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
www.cpsc.gov
ASHI Georgia
www.ashigeorgia.com
CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS