Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detection Options for Schools
Summary of Requirements: There are two types of systems that may be used to detect carbon monoxide and sound an alarm: 1)
self-contained carbon monoxide alarms; and, 2) carbon monoxide detection systems. The use of either type of system or both types
of systems, are permissible. School districts/BOCES will need to determine for themselves which system (or systems) is best suited
to be used in each of their buildings.
Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Description: Devices that contain both a sensor to detect the
presence of carbon monoxide and an integrated audible (and
perhaps visual) alarm in one unit. An alarm goes off when the
sensor detects CO at or above a certain concentration over a
certain period of time.
Minimum Requirements for Existing Buildings:
 Residential-style CO alarms that meet the listing label
requirements of the regulation.
 Cannot be a combination CO/smoke alarm.
 No interconnection required unless one alarm is used to
provide coverage for multiple detection zones served by
a CO-producing HVAC system (see above).
 May be powered solely by at 10-year battery; or
primary power from building supply (electrical) with
backup from a battery (backup does not need to be a 10
year battery)
 Audible notification is required. The alarm must be
located such that it will be heard by occupants in
occupied areas of the building.
Carbon Monoxide Detection Systems
Description: A system that consists of separate devices
(detector, notification device & control unit). One device to
detect the presence of CO is interconnected with a notification
device to sound an audible (and perhaps visual) alarm. The
notification device is activates when the detector (sensor)
detects CO at or above a certain concentration over a certain
period of time.
Minimum Requirement for Existing Buildings:
 Must comply with NFPA 720 & meet the listing labeling
requirements of the regulation.
 Detectors, notification devices and control units are
interconnected.
 System is interconnected with an off-site location
(examples of allowable communication with off-site
premises include a fire system alarm, security system,
or building management system).
 Power supply will involve a connection to the primary
building power for the system, with backup from a local
battery associated with the system, or on-site building
power that meets the requirements of NFPA 720.
 Every building with a CO source shall have a t least one
notification appliance.
 Audible notification is required. Visual notification is
required in areas where audible notification devices
cannot be heard due to noisy ambient sound levels.
Notification devices must be located such that it will be
heard by occupants in occupied areas of the building.
 Any CO detection system that activates a fire signal at
the fire alarm control panel must be modified so that
the CO notification system does not activate the fire
alarm notification devices, nor send a fire signal unless
the notification and off-premises signals are distinct
from those generated by the activation of a fire alarm.
Alarm/Detector Locations In School Buildings
Classroom Detection Zones
Non-Classroom Detection Zones
Every instructional space capable of being occupied by 6 or more
occupants is required to be a separate classroom zone. This
includes: general use classrooms, labs, shops, gyms,
multipurpose rooms, and pools. Spaces may be considered
classrooms, depending upon whether they are used for
instructional purposes, include cafeterias and auditoriums. Each
classroom zone includes any associated spaces such as toilet
rooms, storage rooms, offices, locker rooms, prep rooms, and
kiln rooms that open directly into classrooms.
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All non-instructional spaces including: boiler rooms, kitchens,
receiving areas, libraries, administrative areas, corridors, offices,
toilet rooms, storage rooms, and utility (electric) rooms. In
buildings that do not have CO-producing HVAC system(s) serving
non-classroom spaces, it is expected there will be one, nonclassroom detection zone (which may be elongated and greater
than 10,000 ft2 )(see below). A single, non-classroom zone
cannot incorporate more than one floor level.
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Each classroom zone with a CO source will receive an
alarm/detector (i.e. science, home & careers)
Each classroom located adjacent to a garage will receive
an alarm/detector (i.e. classroom next to auto body)
Single classroom spaces greater than 10,000 ft2 served
by a CO-producing HVAC system – alarms must be
placed so that no point in the space (zone) is greater
than 100 feet from an alarm/detector.
Classrooms with duplicate types of CO sources (i.e. a
science lab with gas outlets also served by a COproducing HVAC system):
o an alarm/detector installed in the first space
served by a fuel-fired HVAC system will not
need to be duplicated by a second
alarm/detector in the same space where the
first space served has its own CO source
o Where a non-fuel fired HVAC system supplies
air from a space with a CO source to other
spaces without a source, the first space(s)
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Each non-classroom zone with a CO source (i.e. boiler
room, kitchen) will receive an alarm/detector (a nonclassroom zone may contain multiple CO sources).
A garage located adjacent to a non-classroom zone will
be considered a CO source for that zone.
Non-classroom zones greater than 10,000 ft2 with CO
sources that are not CO-producing HVAC systems – one
detector/alarm will be installed in each space with a CO
source, and one detector/alarm will be installed in a
location outside of each source area at an approved
location (generally the detector/alarm outside the
source area will be located between the source and the
bulk of the building occupants – i.e. the hallway outside
a boiler room).
served will be considered to be the space(s)
containing the CO sources. A signal will be
transmitted, as required for CO-producing
HVAC systems (see section below).
For spaces served by a Carbon Monoxide-Producing HVAC system (defined as: fuel-fired heating/ventilation systems or makeup air units
including rooftop or ground mounted units; or non-fuel-fired heating/ventilating/AC systems that supply air from a space with a CO source to other
spaces without a CO source) :
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Provide an alarm in each space served by the CO-producing HVAC system; or
Provide a CO alarm/detector in the first room or area served by the unit/ CO source and signals from the CO alarm/detector
in the first room or area are automatically transmitted to an ‘approved location’ (a space in which the alarm/detector is
located, and is normally staffed by school personnel during normal school hours, or a corridor in the area of the spaces
served by the CO-producing HVAC system).
If the CO-producing HVAC system serves:
o A single space (classroom or non-classroom), that space is a single detection zone
o Multiple classrooms – each classroom is an independent detection zone
o Multiple non-classrooms located on the same floor level – all are considered one non-classroom zone
o Multiple non-classroom spaces located on different floor levels – spaces on each floor are considered separate
non-classroom zones.
o A mixture of classroom and non-classroom spaces – all non-classroom spaces are considered single zones by floor;
each classroom is considered a separate zone.