HARRISBURG, PA — A bill that would establish Carbon Monoxide Alarm Standards Act is on its way to Gov. Tom Corbett’s office for his signature. The bill was co-sponsored by Sen. Pat Browne.

The Pennsylvania Building Code requires all newly constructed homes and certain existing homes that have fossil fuel-burning heaters or appliances and/or an attached garage to install a carbon monoxide detector. The new legislation adds the following standards:

For residential buildings, the seller must disclose information regarding the installation of carbon monoxide detectors on the property disclosure statement.

For multi-family dwellings, each apartment in a dwelling with a fossil fuel-burning heater/appliance, fireplace, or an attached garage must have an operational, centrally located and approved carbon monoxide alarm.

For rental properties, the owner of dwellings with a fossil fuel-burning heater or appliance, fireplace or an attached garage must ensure that working carbon monoxide alarms are located in the vicinity of the bedrooms and the heater or fireplace.

“According to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Pennsylvania leads the nation in fatalities as a result of accidental carbon monoxide poisoning,” Browne said. “The bill is intended to protect our citizens from this deadly gas.”