NFPA (Fire) 720 Historical

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The 2009 NFPA 720's broader scope alerts people to dangerous carbon monoxide levels in all types of structures.

The completely revised 2009 NFPA 720: Standard for the Installation of Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detection and Warning Equipment expands requirements beyond dwelling units to apply to all buildings and structures, including hotels, rooming houses, dormitories, day care facilities, schools, hospitals, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes. Provisions cover the installation, location, performance, inspection, testing, and maintenance of carbon monoxide detection and warning equipment.

Eight new chapters address the installation of carbon monoxide detection systems that might be installed in non-residential types of occupancies. Their format is modeled after NFPA 72®: National Fire Alarm Code®. Chapter 9 addresses requirements of CO alarms and household CO detection systems.

In addition to the broader scope, significant requirements in the 2009 edition include these provisions for non-residential occupancies:

• The capacity of the secondary power supply to include the capability of operating all carbon monoxide notification appliances for 12 hours
• Location of carbon monoxide detectors on the ceiling in the same room as permanently installed fuel-burning appliances
• Location of carbon monoxide detectors on every habitable level and in every HVAC zone of the building
• Functional testing and sensitivity testing of CO detectors with CO gas starting 1-1-2012 and 1-1-2015 respectively

Updated rules for dwelling units include new requirements for:

• Locating carbon monoxide alarms/detectors on every level (in addition to outside sleeping areas)
• Battery backup for electrically powered units in new homes
• Interconnection of CO alarms in new homes to assure early warning of occupants at all levels

This Standard is essential for system designers, installation contractors, service contractors, and AHJs. See more