Fire Marshal Calls Detectors Easy, Inexpensive Way To Save Lives
CONCORD, N.H. — Carbon monoxide detectors could be standard equipment in new and renovated homes in about a year under a bill proposed this year.
The New Hampshire House is debating a bill that would make the devices mandatory in certain types of residences starting in 2010. Supporters call it a simple and inexpensive safety fix, but not everyone thinks the bill is a good idea.
Fire Marshal Bill Degnan said he is supporting the bill because carbon monoxide detectors are inexpensive and can save lives. During the recent ice storm, Degnan said, the detectors proved their worth.
“911 alone received 100 calls from carbon monoxide detectors going off,” he said. “These are the success side. he ones that got injured did not have carbon monoxide detectors.”
In 2008, four people in the state died from carbon monoxide poisoning. Three did not have detectors and one had a detector that was disabled.
Rep. Suzanne Laliberte, D-Enfield, sponsored the bill and said she is worried that the economy could prompt people to try unsafe methods to heat their homes.
“There were concerns that the cost of heating oil will go up to $5 to $6 a gallon, and who knows what they’ll do in the future, and people are apt to do all types of things to reduce the cost of heating oil,” she said.
The detectors cost between $19 and $55 and come in a variety of styles that include devices that will detect both smoke and carbon monoxide.
Some who oppose the bill said they agree carbon monoxide detectors should be installed, but they said it’s an issue that should be tackled through building codes rather than legislation.
“We think it very appropriate that the code amendment process, the code review process is the more appropriate place to deal with this,” said Kendall Buck of New Hampshire Home Builders and Remodelers.
The home builders association said it is also concerned with the language of the bill and worried it could lead to extra expense in new construction.
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Read the full text of HB 120 here: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2009/HB0120.html
This bill was already heard in the House Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee on 01/14/2009 at 01:15 PM in LOB 302 but you can still write to your legislators whose emails can be found at Who Is My Legislator.