New carbon monoxide detector rules start Jan. 1

Jeff Helsdon, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

New regulations on carbon monoxide detectors will take effect on Jan. 1.

Known as the silent killer, carbon monoxide is created from the burning of fuels, such as natural gas, propane, heating oil, or wood, that aren’t entirely burned in furnaces and other fuel-burning appliances.

Carbon monoxide poisoning can lead to headaches, nausea, dizziness, confusion, drowsiness, and death.

Previous regulations required carbon monoxide detectors in a home if it had a fuel-burning appliance, a fireplace, or an attached garage. The new rules will require a carbon monoxide detector in a home if it is heated by a fuel-burning appliance that is not contained within the home.

Also new is a requirement that a carbon monoxide detector be installed on every story of a home. Previously, carbon monoxide detectors were only required outside sleeping areas.

Geoff Hayman, Tillsonburg’s fire prevention officer, explained that the air circulates throughout the house with forced air heating.

“Where fuel-burning appliances are in the building, there needs to be one in the service room, adjacent to the sleeping area, and on each floor,” he explained.

For instance, in a split-level home, a detector would be required in the basement where the furnace is, on the main floor, and on the top floor where the bedrooms are. Previously, one was only needed outside the bedrooms. The other big difference would be in a four or six-unit complex with centralized heat, which will now need one in every suite.

“This is an improved level of safety for everyone,” Hayman said. “It’s much less expensive to buy a $35 plug-in carbon monoxide detector than it is to bury someone.”

He said the change was made to bring the fire regulations into compliance with the building code, which required this for new construction.

The original requirement making carbon monoxide detectors mandatory in homes with fuel-burning appliances was a result of the Hawkins Gignac Act, a Private Members' Bill put forward by Oxford MPP Ernie Hardeman. The bill was brought forward in the wake of the death of the Hawkins Gignac family in Oxford County.

Hayman said between 85 and 100 people per year still die from carbon monoxide poisoning.