For all commercial building owners and operators, New York State has amended carbon monoxide laws that will affect your facility. New York State has amended the Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code (Uniform Code) to require carbon monoxide detection within commercial buildings that contain any carbon monoxide source, such as gas or liquid fueled ovens, dryers, boilers, furnaces, and any motor-vehicle related operations. The amendment went into effect June 27, 2015, with a one year transition period, which ended on June 27, 2016.
Under the amended regulation, 19 NYCRR Part 1228 Section 1228.4, the new rule will apply to all new and existing commercial buildings that have a carbon monoxide source, an attached garage, or any other motor vehicle related occupancy. Carbon monoxide is an odorless and colorless gas which can cause asphyxiation when inhaled. The body has no method of sensing or removing carbon monoxide. This rule change is to protect occupants of commercial buildings from harm.
All buildings must install carbon monoxide alarms or detection systems. The number of carbon monoxide alarms or detection systems required is determined by the size of the “detection zone”. The “detection zone” means a story of a commercial building, with a few exceptions, such as:
- If the building includes a classroom, each classroom shall be a separate detection zone.
If a portion of the story is a garage, the garage portion shall not be included in the detection zone.
If the detection zone is less than 10,000 square feet, then one (1) central location requires a carbon monoxide detecting device. Any facility greater than 10,000 square feet requires one (1) central location carbon monoxide detecting device and any location 100 feet away from the central location requires an additional carbon monoxide detecting device (i.e. any distance 100 feet from the central location requires an additional detection point).
Fines for non-compliance can be up to $1,000 per day until the violation is resolved and/or imprisonment.
If your facility doesn’t have carbon monoxide detectors or if you have any questions regarding carbon monoxide requirements, please call Walden Environmental Engineering at (516) 624-7200.