Often called the "silent killer," carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless,
colorless gas created when fuels (such as gasoline, wood, coal, natural gas,
propane oil and methane) burn incompletely. In homes, heating and cooking
equipment that burn fuel are potential sources of carbon monoxide. Cars or
generators that run in an attached garage can also produce dangerous levels
of carbon monoxide.
In recent years, the popularity of carbon monoxide detectors has
increased. Yet, many homes still do not have these safety-enhancing
devices. As well, many citizens remain unfamiliar with the hazards of
carbon monoxide poisoning.
From Awareness To Advocacy To New Rules For Georgia.
In early 2005, Georgia State Senator Gloria Butler read an article about a
family whose exposure to carbon monoxide proved fatal. She researched
Georgia's laws to determine if her own state had any carbon monoxide
detector-related regulations. At that time, Georgia did not.
Senator Butler initially tried to mandate carbon monoxide detectors through
legislation. She was told that code changes were best handled though the
regulatory process at DCA.
In 2008, Senator Butler began working with DCA's Construction Codes
Department. The initial proposal called for hard-wired combination smoke
and carbon monoxide detectors. Bettie Sleeth, HBAG Vice-President of
Regulatory Affairs worked with Senator Butler to get the proposal amended to
only require a battery-operated carbon monoxide detector near each sleeping
area. In July 2008, the State Codes Advisory Committee accepted this amended
proposal and recommended a change to the International Residential Code.
This code change was approved by the DCA Board in November 2008.
Effective January 1, 2009, carbon monoxide detectors will be
required in all new one- & two-family homes and townhomes of three stories
or less.
