The 2009 Oregon Legislature passed HB 3450, the Lofgren and Zander Memorial Act, requiring the installation of carbon monoxide alarms in specific residential applications with a carbon monoxide source. These rules take effect on July 1, 2010.

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas created when fuels (such as gasoline, wood, charcoal, coal, natural gas, propane, oil, kerosene, and methane) burn incompletely.  Products and equipment powered by internal combustion engines also produce carbon monoxide.   Fumes are dangerous and can be deadly.

The purpose of the bill is to reduce deaths and poisonings from carbon monoxide. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, 2,100 people die each year of carbon monoxide poisoning.  Fire agencies statewide, including Portland Fire & Rescue, are making every effort to educate Oregonians about the requirements of the bill and importance of installing carbon monoxide alarms.

The Act requires properly functioning carbon monoxide (CO) alarms be installed in sleeping areas of dwellings with a CO source. CO sources include, but are not limited to:

• Heaters
• Fireplaces
• Furnaces
• Appliances
• Cooking sources using coal, wood, petroleum products (including kerosene, natural gas, or propane)
• Other fuels emitting CO as a by-product of combustion
• Attached garages with doors, ductwork or ventilation shafts connected to a living space are also sources of CO

The temporary rules for existing structures are effective July 1, 2010.  “We worked with citizen advocates, the Oregon fire service, representatives from health, manufactured housing and multifamily housing, home builders, sellers, and renters to create rules aimed at successful compliance,” advises State Fire Marshal Randy Simpson. “We all want to protect the public from carbon monoxide poisoning.”

Who does what, when?  HB 3450 specifies implementation dates:

• JULY 1, 2010:  Office of State Fire Marshal (OSFM) Administrative Rules effective date.
• APRIL 1, 2011:  Landlords must provide properly functioning CO alarms for all rental dwelling units with, or within a structure containing, a CO source.
• APRIL 1, 2011:  Home sellers of a one- and two family dwellings or multifamily housing units containing a carbon monoxide source must have one or more properly functioning CO alarms before conveying fee title or transferring possession of a dwelling.
• APRIL 1, 2011:  All new construction of one- and two family dwellings or multifamily housing units containing a carbon monoxide source, and requiring a building permit, must have one or more properly functioning carbon monoxide alarms before conveying fee title or transferring possession of a dwelling.
• JULY 1, 2010:  For all new rental agreements, landlords must provide properly functioning CO alarms for rental dwelling units with, or within a structure containing, a CO source.

Click here to link to the Oregon State Fire Marsal's website and learn more about the new rules and additional information about carbon monoxide.

  Portland Fire & Rescue We Respond: Always Ready, Always There

  June 29, 2010