Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Wisconsin law requires residential occupancies, including condominiums, install carbon monoxide alarms. The law states that CO alarms are required on residences having fuel burning appliances, fireplaces, or attached garages. The alarms must be installed within 15 feet of each sleeping area of the fuel burning appliance. While contractors are required to install hard-wired CO alarms in all new construction, owners in existing buildings must install their own alarms. Because Overlook Lakes units have gas furnaces, we are required to comply with the law.
Alarms Types
You can satisfy the new requirement by replacing the existing smoke detector (located in the hallway outside of the bedrooms) with a combination alarm that monitors both smoke and carbon monoxide. These hard-wired detectors should be installed by a Licensed Electrician.
For buildings existing prior to October 1st 2008 plug-in CO alarms will satisfy the law. Plug-in CO detectors with battery back-up are available at hardware stores. Note that plug-in alarms should be plugged into an outlet that is not switched.
Alarm End of Life
All CO alarms and combination smoke/CO alarms have an End of Life feature. Most alarms have a 10-year alarm life, a 10-year CO sensor life, and a 10-year warranty. Many also have batteries that last for 10 years. The end of life timer built into the alarm is a simple counter that begins working once the unit is activated either by plugging it in, hardwiring or inserting the battery. Then, after approximately 120 months of operation the unit will begin to sound 5 chirps.
Alarms also feature a silence feature that temporarily quiets the End of Life warning chirp for up to 2 days. Silence the End of Life warning chirp by pressing the Test/Silence button. After approximately 2 days, the End of Life chirp will resume. After approximately 2-3 weeks the End of Life warning cannot be silenced. Refer to your alarm’s instruction manual for specifics on your type and brand. When your CO alarm has reached its end of life, please recycle the unit as E-waste at the DPW’s Refuse/Recycling Center.
CO Exposure
Carbon monoxide is the leading cause of accidental poisonings, according to fire officials. Exposure can cause dizziness, severe headache, unconsciousness or worse. On average, about 400 people in the United States die and 20,000 people are injured each year from CO poisoning. Dubbed the “silent killer,” carbon monoxide is an odorless, tasteless gas that is highly toxic. It’s the byproduct of any fuel-burning appliance like a furnace or water heater, wood-burning fireplaces or idling vehicles.
If you have any questions contact the Greendale Fire Department at (414) 423-2100.
