AN ACT

 

1Providing standards for carbon monoxide alarms in schools; and
2imposing 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 Schools 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"Classroom." A room located in a public school or a
29nonpublic school where one or more students receive instruction.

30"Fossil fuel." Coal, kerosene, oil, wood, fuel gases and

1other petroleum or hydrocarbon products which emit carbon
2monoxide as a by-product of combustion.

3"Installed." A carbon monoxide alarm that is hardwired into
4the electrical wiring, directly plugged into an electrical
5outlet without a switch, other than a circuit breaker, or, if
6the alarm is battery-powered, attached to the wall or ceiling of
7a school or classroom, in accordance with the Standard for the
8Installation of Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detection and Warning
9Equipment (NFPA) 720.

10"Nonpublic school." Any school, other than a public school,
11in which a resident of this Commonwealth may legally fulfill the
12compulsory attendance requirements of the act of March 10, 1949
13(P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, and
14which meets the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act
15of 1964 (Public Law 88-352, 78 Stat. 241).

16"Operational." Working and in service.

17"Public school." Any of the following:

18(1) A school of a school district.

19(2) A charter school.

20(3) A regional charter school.

21(4) A cyber charter school, that provides educational
22instruction by any means at one or more centrally located
23facilities where students attend the instruction.

24"School." Any public school or nonpublic school.

25Section 3. Administration.

26Nothing in this act is intended to modify the authority and
27responsibilities of the Department of Labor and Industry under
28the act of November 10, 1999 (P.L.491, No.45), known as the
29Pennsylvania Construction Code Act.

30Section 4. Carbon monoxide alarm requirements.

1(a) General rule.--Each school, which uses a fossil fuel-
2burning heater or appliance or has an attached garage, must have
3an operational, centrally located and approved carbon monoxide
4alarm installed in the vicinity of every classroom that is
5located on the same story as the fossil fuel-burning heater or
6appliance or attached garage within 18 months of the effective
7date of this section.

8(b) Maintenance, repair or replacement.--The governing body
9of a school is responsible for providing for the maintenance,
10repair or replacement of an approved carbon monoxide alarm or
11the care and replacement of batteries.

12Section 5. Enforcement.

13Willful failure to install or maintain in operating condition
14any approved carbon monoxide alarm required by this act is a
15summary offense punishable by a fine of up to $50.

16Section 6. Effective date.

17This act shall take effect immediately.