In 2009, Oregon Legislature passed HB 3450, also known as the Lofgren and Zander Memorial Act, requiring the installation of carbon monoxide alarms in specific residential applications with a carbon monoxide source. The rules began to take effect on July 1, 2010.

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas created when fuels (such as gasoline, wood, charcoal, coal, natural gas, propane, oil, kerosene, and methane) burn incompletely. Products and equipment powered by internal combustion engines also produce carbon monoxide. Fumes are dangerous and can be deadly.

The purpose of the bill is to reduce deaths and poisonings from carbon monoxide. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, 2,100 people die each year of carbon monoxide poisoning. Fire agencies statewide, including Portland Fire & Rescue, are making every effort to educate Oregonians about the requirements of the bill and importance of installing carbon monoxide alarms.

The Act requires properly functioning carbon monoxide (CO) alarms be installed in sleeping areas of dwellings with a CO source. CO sources include, but are not limited to:

•  Heaters
•  Fireplaces
•  Furnaces
•  Appliances
•  Cooking sources using coal, wood, petroleum products (including kerosene, natural gas, or propane)
•  Other fuels emitting CO as a by-product of combustion
•  Attached garages with doors, ductwork or ventilation shafts connected to a living space are also sources of CO. 

Who Does What, and When?

Oregon law requires carbon monoxide alarms to be installed following specific House Bill 3450 implementation dates:
 

•  JULY 1, 2010 – Office of State Fire Marshal (OSFM) Administrative Rules become effective.
•  JULY 1, 2010 – For all new rental agreements, landlords must provide properly functioning carbon monoxide alarms for rental dwelling units with, or within a structure containing, a carbon monoxide source.
•  APRIL 1, 2011 – Landlords must provide properly functioning carbon monoxide alarms for all rental dwelling units with, or within a structure containing a carbon monoxide source.
•  APRIL 1, 2011 – Home sellers of one-and two family dwellings, manufactured dwellings, or multifamily housing units containing a carbon monoxide source must have one or more properly functioning carbon monoxide alarms before conveying fee title or transferring possession of a dwelling.
• APRIL 1, 2011 – Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD) adopts rules such that carbon monoxide alarms are required for new residential structures submitted for plan review as of April 1, 2011. Also effective this date, carbon monoxide alarms are required in residential structures that undergo reconstruction, alteration or repair for which a building permit is required. Affected “residential structures” are those identified in section 310 of the Oregon Structural Specialty Code (OSSC) as a residential Group R occupancy. Examples of these uses may be characterized as; hotels, motels, apartments, dormitories, fraternities, sororities, one- and two-family dwellings, townhouses and residential care/assisted living facilities. In addition, SR-3 and SR-4 occupancies as defined in OSSC Appendix SR are included as they are principally built to “residential” standards. The carbon monoxide alarm requirements for new construction, reconstruction, alteration and repair are applicable regardless of the presence of a carbon monoxide source.
   

Additional References & Contact Information

For more information on Oregon’s carbon monoxide law, visit here or contact Colleen Olson, Office of State Fire Marshal, at 503-934-8228.

For Landlords
Metro Multifamily Housing Association
921 SW Washington Suite 772
Portland, OR 97205
503-226-4533

For Homebuilders
Oregon Home Builders Association
375 Taylor Street NE
Salem, OR 97301
503-378-9066

For Realtors
Oregon Association. of Realtors 2110 Mission Street SE, Suite 310
Salem, OR 97308
503-362-3645

For Adult Foster Home Program
Connie Rush DHS-Seniors and People with Disabilities
500 Summer St. NE E12 Salem, OR 97301-1073 800-232-3020

Building Codes Division
P.O. Box 14470
Salem, OR 97309-0404
503-378-4133