FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 28, 2015

NEW YORK STATE ADOPTS EMERGENCY RULE REGARDING
CARBON MONOXIDE ALARMS IN COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS

The Town of Southampton alerts property and business owners that effective July 27, 2015 New York State has adopted a rule that amends the Uniform Code and will require the installation of carbon monoxide detecting devices in every commercial building that has appliances, devices or systems that may emit carbon monoxide or has an attached garage. 

According to NY State Building Codes and Standards, there is a “transition period” for “existing” commercial buildings if a complete building application for the construction was filed on or before December 31, 2015.  The transition period ends June 27, 2016, at which time all affected properties must be in compliance. As written in the code, during the transition period an existing business will be considered to be in violation unless the Town is provided with a written statement certifying that there is a good faith attempt to comply as quickly as is practical.

All commercial buildings which have a building permit application filed as of January 1, 2016 must comply with this law and compliance will be required in order to obtain a Certificate of Occupancy or Compliance.

According to Cheryl Kraft, Southampton Town’s Chief Fire Marshal, “As carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, tasteless gas, detecting devices are crucial in identifying its presence.” 

Exposure to CO can cause health problems and even death.

The code allows for the installation of a 10-year, sealed battery carbon monoxide detector as the source of detection. Electrical plug-in and standard battery type devices do not meet the requirements of this code and will not be accepted.

For additional information please contact Southampton Town’s Fire Prevention office at 631-702-2919.

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Jennifer Garvey
Deputy Chief of Staff
Office of the Supervisor
Town of Southampton
(631) 283-6055