(Effective until July 1, 2023)

PDFWAC 51-50-0915

Section 915—Carbon monoxide detection.

915.1 General. Carbon monoxide detection shall be installed in new buildings in accordance with Sections 915.1.1 through 915.6. Carbon monoxide detection shall be installed in existing buildings in accordance with Chapter 11 of the International Fire Code.
915.1.1 Where required. Carbon monoxide detection shall be provided in Group I and R occupancies and in classrooms in Group E occupancies in the locations specified in Section 915.2 where any of the conditions in Sections 915.1.2 through 915.1.6 exist.
EXCEPTIONS:
1. R-2 occupancies, with the exception of R-2 college dormitories, are required to install carbon monoxide detectors without exception.
 
2. Sleeping units or dwelling units in I and R-1 occupancies and R-2 college dormitories, hotel, DOC prisons and work releases and DSHS licensed boarding home and residential treatment facility occupancies which do not themselves contain a fuel-burning appliance, a fuel-burning fireplace, or have an attached garage, need not be provided with carbon monoxide alarms provided that they comply with the exceptions of 915.1.4.
915.1.2 Fuel-burning appliances and fuel-burning fireplaces. Carbon monoxide detection shall be provided in dwelling units, sleeping units and classrooms that contain a fuel-burning appliance or a fuel-burning fireplace.
915.1.3 Forced-air furnaces. Carbon monoxide detection shall be provided in dwelling units, sleeping units and classrooms served by a fuel-burning, forced-air furnace.
EXCEPTION:
Carbon monoxide detection shall not be required in dwelling units, sleeping units and classrooms where carbon monoxide detection is provided in the first room or area served by each main duct leaving the furnace, and the carbon monoxide alarm signals are automatically transmitted to an approved location.
915.1.4 Fuel-burning appliances outside of dwelling units, sleeping units and classrooms. Carbon monoxide detection shall be provided in dwelling units, sleeping units and classrooms located in buildings that contain fuel-burning appliances or fuel-burning fireplaces.
EXCEPTIONS:
1. Carbon monoxide detection shall not be required in dwelling units, sleeping units and classrooms where there are no communicating openings between the fuel-burning appliance or fuel-burning fireplace and the dwelling unit, sleeping unit or classroom.
 
2. Carbon monoxide detection shall not be required in dwelling units, sleeping units and classrooms where carbon monoxide detection is provided in one of the following locations:
 
2.1. In an approved location between the fuel-burning appliance or fuel-burning fireplace and the dwelling unit, sleeping unit or classroom.
 
2.2. On the ceiling of the room containing the fuel-burning appliance or fuel-burning fireplace.
915.1.5 Private garages. Carbon monoxide detection shall be provided in dwelling units, sleeping units and classrooms in buildings with attached private garages.
EXCEPTIONS:
1. Carbon monoxide detection shall not be required where there are no communicating openings between the private garage and the dwelling unit, sleeping unit or classroom.
 
2. Carbon monoxide detection shall not be required in dwelling units, sleeping units and classrooms located more than one story above or below a private garage.
 
3. Carbon monoxide detection shall not be required where the private garage connects to the building through an open-ended corridor.
 
4. Where carbon monoxide detection is provided in an approved location between openings to a private garage and dwelling units, sleeping units or classrooms, carbon monoxide detection shall not be required in the dwelling units, sleeping units or classrooms.
915.1.6 Exempt garages. For determining compliance with Section 915.1.5, an open parking garage complying with Section 406.5 of the International Building Code or an enclosed parking garage complying with Section 406.6 of the International Building Code shall not be considered a private garage.
915.2 Locations. Where required by Section 915.1.1, carbon monoxide detection shall be installed in the locations specified in Sections 915.2.1 through 915.2.3.
915.2.1 Dwelling units. Carbon monoxide detection shall be installed in dwelling units outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms and on each level of the dwelling. Where a fuel-burning appliance or fuel-burning fireplace is located within a bedroom or its attached bathroom, carbon monoxide detection shall be installed within the bedroom.
915.2.2 Sleeping units. Carbon monoxide detection shall be installed in sleeping units.
EXCEPTION:
Carbon monoxide detection shall be allowed to be installed outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the sleeping unit where the sleeping unit or its attached bathroom does not contain a fuel-burning appliance or fuel-burning fireplace and is not served by a forced air furnace.
915.2.3 Group E occupancies. When required by Section 915.1 in new buildings, or by Chapter 11 of the International Fire Code, carbon monoxide detection shall be installed in classrooms in Group E occupancies. Carbon monoxide alarm signals shall be automatically transmitted to an on-site location that is staffed by school personnel.
EXCEPTIONS:
1. Carbon monoxide alarm signals shall not be required to be automatically transmitted to an on-site location that is staffed by school personnel in Group E occupancies with an occupant load of 50 or less.
 
2. Carbon monoxide alarm signals shall not be required to be automatically transmitted to an on-site location that is staffed by school personnel in Group E occupancies where an exception contained in Section 915.1 applies, or in Group E occupancies where signals are transmitted to an off-site service monitored by a third party, such as a service that monitors fire protection systems in the building.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. WSR 16-03-064, § 51-50-0915, filed 1/19/16, effective 7/1/16.]
(Effective July 1, 2023)

PDFWAC 51-50-0915

Section 915—Carbon monoxide detection.

915.1.1 Where required. Carbon monoxide detection shall be provided in Group I and R occupancies and in classrooms in Group E occupancies in the locations specified in Section 915.2 where any of the conditions in Sections 915.1.2 through 915.1.6 exist.
EXCEPTIONS:
1. R-2 occupancies, with the exception of R-2 college dormitories, are required to install carbon monoxide detectors without exception.
 
2. Sleeping units or dwelling units in I and R-1 occupancies and R-2 college dormitories, hotel, DOC prisons and work releases and DSHS licensed boarding home and residential treatment facility occupancies which do not themselves contain a fuel-burning appliance, a fuel-burning fireplace, or have an attached garage, need not be provided with carbon monoxide alarms provided that they comply with the exceptions of 915.1.4.
915.2.3 Group E occupancies. When required by Section 915.1 in new buildings, or by Chapter 11 of the International Fire Code, carbon monoxide detection shall be installed in classrooms in Group E occupancies. Carbon monoxide alarm signals shall be automatically transmitted to an on-site location that is staffed by school personnel.
EXCEPTIONS:
1. Carbon monoxide alarm signals shall not be required to be automatically transmitted to an on-site location that is staffed by school personnel in Group E occupancies with an occupant load of 50 or less.
 
2. Carbon monoxide alarm signals shall not be required to be automatically transmitted to an on-site location that is staffed by school personnel in Group E occupancies where an exception contained in Section 915.1 applies, or in Group E occupancies where signals are transmitted to an off-site service monitored by a third party, such as a service that monitors fire protection systems in the building.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. WSR 22-13-094, § 51-50-0915, filed 6/14/22, effective 7/1/23; WSR 16-03-064, § 51-50-0915, filed 1/19/16, effective 7/1/16.]