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Council introduces amendment to carbon monoxide alarm rules for regulated rental units
Summary
Bill 19 was introduced to amend the city's carbon monoxide alarm requirements, aligning locational language with NFPA 720 standards and removing “centrally located” wording; council discussed landlord notification and inspection outreach.
Lebanon City Council introduced Bill 19 to amend Article 1519 of the codified ordinances on carbon monoxide alarm requirements, principally to align local language with the International Fire Code and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 720 standards. The amendment replaces references such as “centrally located” and changes wording from “in the vicinity of bedrooms” to require alarms “in accordance with NFPA 720” and “a location outside each sleeping area.”
Mayor said the amendment stems from fire chief experience with close calls involving carbon monoxide and that the 2015 ordinance had originated from efforts to reduce CO poisoning incidents. “The amendment, for the most part, removes the words centrally located and changes requirements from in the vicinity of bedrooms to in accordance with the National Fire Protection Association, 720 standards,” the mayor said.
Members of the public asked how landlords and regulated rental unit owners will be notified of the change. City staff said the city will use its usual methods — posting on the city website and including handouts during rental inspections and license renewals — and noted prior outreach was used when the smoke-detector requirements were updated. A public commenter said postcards had been used in the past; a council member said educational material and rental-inspection handouts were the likely method for notice.
The council moved Bill 19 on introduction by roll call (5-0). Staff said they will include outreach as part of the inspection and licensing process to notify rental property owners of any new requirements and to consider distribution of handouts with annual billing or license renewals.
