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Topeka committee outlines education push as 2024 code expands carbon monoxide alarm requirements
Summary
City staff told the Public Health and Safety Committee that adopting the 2024 fire and property maintenance codes will broaden carbon monoxide (CO) alarm requirements for many existing institutional and residential occupancies that have fuel-burning appliances; staff promised outreach and a 90-day compliance window after publication.
The Topeka City Council's Public Health and Safety Committee reviewed changes tied to the city's recent adoption of the 2024 international fire and property maintenance codes, and staff said the most immediately notable change is expanded carbon monoxide alarm requirements. Dylan Smith, a fire department representative, told the committee the state fire marshal is moving to adopt the 2024 fire prevention code and that the new code will expand CO detection requirements beyond the limited classes covered previously.
Why it matters: the change affects existing Group E (educational) and Group R (residential) occupancies and certain institutional uses and will, for new construction and alterations, apply more broadly where fuel-burning sources exist. That means homes and buildings that include fuel-burning appliances such as furnaces, water heaters or stoves may now have clear CO alarm requirements where they did not before.
"Carbon monoxide ... this odorless gas is extremely dangerous," Dylan Smith said, urging education and outreach as the city adapts to the change. Smith and other staff emphasized that buildings with no fuel-burning sources (for example, all-electric homes) will not be subject to the CO requirement.
John Chardine, the property maintenance director, said the city plans a public education campaign and a round table with stakeholders once staff and legal counsel finish reviewing the final text. "As soon as we publish it, you'll have 90 days from the date of publishing to comply," Chardine said, adding the department will send notices and informational pamphlets and will coordinate messaging with the communications office.
Landlord representatives raised practical placement questions, such as whether multi-level homes require one alarm per floor. Steve Vogel, president of the Shawnee County Landlords Association, asked whether a house with a basement furnace and a first-floor water heater would need multiple detectors. Chardine and Smith responded that accepted placement is typically outside sleeping areas and in common hallways and that exceptions exist when hazards are controlled "at the source" or when specialized, monitored alarm systems are used.
Committee chair Karen Hiller said the meeting was intended to surface those precise operational questions so staff can prepare clear guidance. The committee did not take any vote to change the code language at this meeting; staff said they have the final version for internal review and will circulate specific placement and exception language to stakeholders before enforcement begins.
Next steps: city staff will publish the adopted code text, circulate implementation guidance to landlords and residents, and run an education campaign before enforcement deadlines. The committee scheduled further discussion and additional focused meetings to resolve placement, exception and cost concerns.
