New Wisconsin law to require carbon monoxide detectors in residential buildings

On October 1st, a new Wisconsin law was passed that will require most newly constructed, multi-occupant residential buildings containing fuel-burning appliances to install carbon monoxide detectors. Existing structures will have until April 1, 2010 to install carbon monoxide detectors. The Wisconsin Department of Commerce issued the new policy as emergency rules, which is required by legislation signed by Governor Jim Doyle in April. Some types of buildings affected by the new law include apartment buildings, dormitories, hotels, motels, bed and breakfast establishments, condominiums, and other community based residential facilities with fuel burning appliances, such as gas stoves, gas furnaces, and gas water heaters. However, most one and two family homes, hospitals, and nursing homes are not required to have carbon monoxide detectors. One and two family homes would only be required to install an alarm if they were part of a commercial business. According to Sarah Sharar, Resident Housing Manager for Gerrard Corporation in La Crosse, most apartment buildings don't have carbon monoxide detectors installed at the moment. "Our rentals currently do not have carbon monoxide detectors, however all of our apartments are up-to-code and Gerrard Corporation plans on following the new mandates required by the State to install carbon monoxide detectors in every apartment with gas appliances," said Sharar. Dr. Nick Nicklaus, Director of Residence Life at UW-L, said that none of the UW-L residence halls have carbon monoxide detectors either. However, Nicklaus is unsure if the residence halls will be required to install the detectors or not, because none of the residence halls have gas appliances. Nicklaus also expressed concern over the possible cost of the detectors. "The cost [for the detectors] has to pass on to someone, whether it be a renter or a student living in a residence hall and someone will have to exchange the batteries yearly, since its useless to have something that's not working," said Nicklaus. Despite cost concerns, Nicklaus believes that the new law will benefit student renters. "Early warning detection is obviously the best benefit, but there has to be some kind of educational system, so you know what to do if the detector goes off and where to place it," said Nicklaus. Sharar also believes that the new detectors will help keep student renters safe. "I'm glad that it's now mandatory. A tenant's health and safety is in our best interest and always has been," said Sharar. While the Wisconsin Commercial Building Code governs the types of buildings affected by the new legislation, another code governs one and two family homes, which is why they are not affected by the new requirements. Nicklaus said that the new law is meant to protect renters. "With apartments, you don't know the system. You are more likely to know the system with single-family dwellings because they are easier to monitor." The new law, which resulted in changes to the Wisconsin Commercial Building Code, was originally introduced by state Senator Robert Wirch, D-Pleasant Prairie, who was told about an elderly couple who died several years ago from carbon monoxide poisoning at a resort cabin in northwest Wisconsin. According to Nicklaus, tragic situations often bring about change. "There have been tragic situations that have occurred. Tragedies often bring changes like this, because if they would have had the detectors, they would have been safe."