Carbon monoxide alarms have been required in new homes in Minnesota since January 2007, and will be required in existing single family homes beginning August 1st, 2008. The alarms will need to be installed within ten feet of every room lawfully used for sleeping purposes. "Installed” means hardwired, plugged in to an outlet, or attached to the wall if battery operated.
This will be enforced much the same way that smoke detector requirements are enforced today in Minnesota. If work is being done at a home with a permit, the building official will make sure that carbon monoxide alarms have been installed where required. As of the date of this posting, the city of South Saint Paul is the only city that enforces carbon monoxide alarms as part of their Truth-in-Housing program, but I expect other cities to start enforcing this soon. This city of Minneapolis will only require evaluators to comment on the presence or absence of carbon monoxide alarms – this will not be a repair item if missing.
To keep current with today’s requirements and to keep your home safe, I recommend upgrading to today’s standards. I just installed two carbon monoxide alarms in my home this weekend, and it was quite easy. I have hardwired, interconnected smoke detectors throughout my home, so I replaced two of the hardwired smoke detectors with combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Of all the ways to install a carbon monoxide alarm, this is the most difficult, but it only takes about 15 minutes.
The full requirements for carbon monoxide alarms can be found at Minnesota Statute 299F.50
