61
State of Massachusetts Carbon Monoxide
Detector/Vent Terminal Signage
Requirements
For all side wall horizontally vented gas fueled
equipment installed in every dwelling, building or
structure used in whole or in part for residential
purposes, including those owned or operated by the
Commonwealth and where the side wall exhaust
vent termination is less than seven (7) feet above
fi
nished grade in the area of the venting, including
but not limited to decks and porches, the following
requirements shall be satis
fi
ed:
1. INSTALLATION OF CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS.
At the time of installation of the side wall horizontal
vented gas fueled equipment, the installing plumber
or gas
fi
tter shall observe that a hard wired carbon
monoxide detector with an alarm and battery back-up
is installed on the
fl
oor level where the gas equipment
is to be installed. In addition, the installing plumber
or gas
fi
tter shall observe that a battery operated
or hard wired carbon monoxide detector with an
alarm is installed on each additional level of the
dwelling, building or structure served by the side wall
horizontal vented gas fueled equipment. It shall be
the responsibility of the property owner to secure
the services of quali
fi
ed licensed professionals for the
installation of hard wired carbon monoxide detectors.
a. In the event that the side wall horizontally vented
gas fueled equipment is installed in a crawl space or an
attic, the hard wired carbon monoxide detector with
alarm and battery back-up may be installed on the next
adjacent
fl
oor level.
b. In the event that the requirements of this subdivision
can not be met at the time of completion of installation,
the owner shall have a period of thirty (30) days
to comply with the above requirements; provided,
however, that during said thirty (30) day period, a
battery operated carbon monoxide detector with an
alarm shall be installed.
2. APPROVED CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS. Each
carbon monoxide detector as required in accordance
with the above provisions shall comply with NFPA 720
and be ANSI/UL 2034 listed and IAS certi
fi
ed.
3. SIGNAGE. A metal or plastic identi
fi
cation plate
shall be permanently mounted to the exterior of the
building at a minimum height of eight (8) feet above
grade directly in line with the exhaust vent terminal for
the horizontally vented gas fueled heating appliance or
equipment. The sign shall read, in print size no less than
one-half (1/2) inch in size, “GAS VENT DIRECTLY BELOW.
KEEP CLEAR OF ALL OBSTRUCTIONS”.
4. INSPECTION. The state or local gas inspector of the
side wall horizontally vented gas fueled equipment shall
not approve the installation unless, upon inspection,
the inspector observes carbon monoxide detectors and
signage installed in accordance with the provisions of
248 CMR 5.08(2)(a)1 through 4.
(b) EXEMPTIONS: The following equipment is exempt
from 248 CMR 5.08(2)(a)1 through 4:
1. The equipment listed in Chapter 10 entitled
“Equipment Not Required To Be Vented” in the most
current edition of NFPA 54 as adopted by the Board;
and
2. Product Approved side wall horizontally vented gas
fueled equipment installed in a room or structure
separate from the dwelling, building or structure used
in whole or in part for residential purposes.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
