35
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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.
(d) MANUFACTURER REQUIREMENTS - GAS EQUIPMENT
VENTING SYSTEM NOT PROVIDED. When the
manufacturer of a Product Approved side wall
horizontally vented gas fueled equipment does not
provide the parts for venting the
fl
ue gases, but
identi
fi
es “special venting systems”, the following
requirements shall be satis
fi
ed by the manufacturer:
1. The referenced “special venting system” instructions
shall be included with the appliance or equipment
installation instructions; and
2. The “special venting systems” shall be Product
Approved by the Board, and the instructions for that
system shall include a parts list and detailed installation
instructions.
(e) A copy of all installation instructions for all Product
Approved side wall horizontally vented gas fueled
equipment, all venting instructions, all parts lists for
venting instructions, and/or all venting design
instructions shall remain with the appliance or
equipment at the completion of the installation.
