1Providing standards for carbon monoxide alarms in dormitories;
2and imposing penalties.

3The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
4hereby enacts as follows:

5Section 1. Short title.

6This act shall be known and may be cited as the Carbon
7Monoxide Alarm Standards in Dormitories Act.

8Section 2. Definitions.

9The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
10have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
11context clearly indicates otherwise:

12"Approved carbon monoxide alarm." The term includes:

13(1) A single or multiple station carbon monoxide alarm
14listed as complying with the Approved American National
15Standard for Single and Multiple Station Carbon Monoxide
16Alarms (ANSI/UL2034) or a carbon monoxide detector listed as
17complying with the Approved American National Standard for
18Gas and Vapor Detectors and Sensors (ANSI/UL2075) installed

1in accordance with this act.

2(2) A device that may be combined with a smoke alarm or
3smoke detector if the combined smoke alarm or detector meets
4all of the following:

5(i) Complies with either of the following:

6(A) The Approved American National Standard for
7Single and Multiple Station Carbon Monoxide Alarms
8(ANSI/UL2034) for carbon monoxide alarms and the
9Approved American National Standard for Single and
10Multiple Station Smoke Alarms (ANSI/UL217) for smoke
11alarms.

12(B) The Approved American National Standard for
13Gas and Vapor Detectors and Sensors (ANSI/UL2075) for
14carbon monoxide detectors and the Approved American
15National Standard for Safety for Smoke Detectors for 
16Fire Alarm Systems (ANSI/UL268) for smoke detectors.

17(ii) Emits an alarm in a manner that clearly
18differentiates between detecting the presence of carbon
19monoxide and the presence of smoke.

20(3) A carbon monoxide detection system that includes
21carbon monoxide detectors and audible notification appliances
22that are installed and maintained in accordance with the
23National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code (NFPA 72) and the
24Standard for the Installation of Carbon Monoxide (CO)
25Detection and Warning Equipment (NFPA 720) and are in
26compliance with the Approved American National Standard for
27Gas and Vapor Detectors and Sensors (ANSI/UL2075).

28"Dormitory." A building containing one or more housing units
29owned or leased by an institution of higher education which is
30used as a residence by the students of the institution of higher

1education.

2"Fossil fuel." Coal, kerosene, oil, wood, fuel gases and
3other petroleum or hydrocarbon products which emit carbon
4monoxide as a by-product of combustion.

5"Housing unit." A room or suite of two or more rooms that is
6occupied, leased for occupation or intended or designed to be
7occupied as a residence by the students of an institution of
8higher education.

9"Installed." A carbon monoxide alarm that is hardwired into
10the electrical wiring, directly plugged into an electrical
11outlet without a switch, other than a circuit breaker, or, if
12the alarm is battery-powered, attached to the wall or ceiling of
13a dormitory or a housing unit, in accordance with the Standard
14for the Installation of Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detection and
15Warning Equipment (NFPA 720).

16"Institution of higher education." Any of the following:

17(1) A university within the State System of Higher
18Education under Article XX-A of the act of March 10, 1949
19(P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949.

20(2) A community college established under Article XIX-A
21of the Public School Code of 1949.

22(3) A State-related institution as defined in section
231502-A of the Public School Code of 1949.

24(4) Any college or university which is operated not for
25profit, located in and incorporated or chartered by the
26Commonwealth and entitled to confer degrees as set forth in
2724 Pa.C.S. § 6505 (relating to power to confer degrees).

28"Operational." Working and in service.

29Section 3. Administration.

30Nothing in this act is intended to modify the authority and

1responsibilities of the Department of Labor and Industry under
2the act of November 10, 1999 (P.L.491, No.45), known as the
3Pennsylvania Construction Code Act.

4Section 4. Carbon monoxide alarm requirements.

5(a) Dormitories.--Each dormitory, which uses a fossil fuel-
6burning heater or appliance or has an attached garage, must have
7an operational, centrally located and approved carbon monoxide
8alarm installed in the vicinity of the fossil fuel-burning
9heater or appliance and every housing unit that is located on
10the same story as the fossil fuel-burning heater or appliance or
11attached garage within 18 months of the effective date of this
12section.

13(b) Maintenance, repair or replacement.--The governing body
14of an institution of higher education is responsible for
15providing for the maintenance, repair or replacement of an
16approved carbon monoxide alarm or the care and replacement of
17batteries.

18Section 5. Enforcement.

19Willful failure to install or maintain in operating condition
20any approved carbon monoxide alarm required by this act is a
21summary offense punishable by a fine of up to $50.

22Section 6. Effective date.

23This act shall take effect immediately.