18
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.
(c) MANUFACTURER REQUIREMENTS - GAS
EQUIPMENT VENTING SYSTEM PROVIDED.
When the manufacturer of Product Approved side
wall horizontally vented gas equipment provides a
venting system design or venting system components
with the equipment, the instructions provided by the
manufacturer for installation of the equipment and the
venting system shall include:
1. Detailed instructions for the installation of the venting
system design or the venting system components; and
2. A complete parts list for the venting system design or
venting system.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
QUALIFIED
INSTALLER
