Carbon monoxide detectors must be installed in commercial spaces in 2021. Here’s what property owners and managers need to know.
Why were Local Law 10 of 2014 and Local Law 191 of 2018 established?
In February 2014, Steven Nelson, a manager at Legal Seafoods in Huntington Station, Long Island succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning when a water heater flue pipe malfunctioned in the basement of the restaurant. Nearly 30 other people were also sickened by the fumes. As a result of this tragedy, New York State’s Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code was amended to require carbon monoxide (CO) detectors in commercial spaces. In New York City, Local Law 10 of 2014 and Local Law 191 of 2018 were passed addressing this requirement.
What buildings are affected by Local Law 191 of 2018?
Per Local Law Local Law 10/14, owners of buildings that contain Group A-1, A-2, A-3, and assembly spaces classified as Group B occupancies and are equipped with fire alarm systems must install carbon monoxide detectors. Local Law 191/18 expands the requirement to include buildings that contain Group B and Group M occupancies. Business occupancy Group B includes office, professional, or service-type transactions such as banks, animal hospitals, barber and beauty shops, car washes, outpatient clinics, dry cleaners and laundries, commercial kitchens, post offices, and radio and television stations. Mercantile occupancy Group M includes department stores, drug stores, markets, retail or wholesale stores, and sales rooms. To determine your building’s occupancy group, check your building’s certificate of occupancy. A more complete list of occupancy group classifications may be found in Chapter 3 of the New York City Building Code.
How to comply with Local Law 191 of 2018
Building owners and managers must ensure that their carbon monoxide detectors are installed according to code and filed with the FDNY. Carbon monoxide detectors must have built-in sounder bases, transmit a signal to a central supervising station, and can sound an audible and visual alarm. To comply with the law, they must be installed in the following locations:
- Any room containing CO-producing equipment, except kitchens.
- Any occupiable room or space on the same floor as, one story above, or one story below the CO-producing equipment that is at least 75 square feet and is not provided with mechanical ventilation.
- Any corridor on the story where enclosed parking or a loading dock is located, as well as one story above and one story below.
- Any parking attendant’s office or booth located within an enclosed garage or loading dock.
- As an alternative to installation as provided in the above points and subject to the FDNY’s approval, in locations determined by a performance-based design that is in accordance with Section 5.8.5.3.2 of reference standard National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 720 and approved by the FDNY.
- Detection zones
When is the Local Law 191 of 2018 compliance deadline?
The original deadline for compliance was January 1, 2021, but has now been extended to July 1, 2021. Failure to comply may lead to violations and fines.
What does a Local Law 191 of 2018 Survey entail?
To help owners and managers comply with Local Law 191/18, RAND offers Local Law 191/18 survey services. RAND’s first step would be to review documentation provided by your office pertaining to any fire alarm plans for the building. We would then visit the building and perform a survey to identify all carbon monoxide producing equipment; equipment requiring auto-shutdown; and detection zones at every floor where CO detectors are mandated. If our findings indicate non-compliance, our report would include recommendations and preliminary budget projections for the installation of any additional carbon monoxide detectors required to bring the system into compliance. RAND also offers design services pertaining to an installation plan for carbon monoxide detectors, contractor bid solicitation and review, filing for relevant permits, and observation of the installation while in progress.
For more information or to request a proposal for a Local Law 191/18 survey, contact RAND at 212-675-8844 or info@randpc.com.