Massachusetts law about carbon monoxide detectors

Laws, regulations, and web sources on carbon monoxide law.

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Massachusetts law

MGL c. 148, § 10A Heads of fire departments; permits; inspections; records; fees; list of fire department heads
Fees for carbon monoxide alarm inspection by fire department.

MGL c. 148, § 26F ½ ("Nicole's Law")
Requires carbon monoxide detectors in most residential buildings. The law is named for 7-year-old Nicole Garofalo, who died in January 2005 when a heating vent in her house was blocked by snow drifts, allowing carbon monoxide to accumulate in the home.

MGL c. 148, § 27A Shutting off, disconnection, obstruction, removal or destruction, of fire protection devices; permit; report; violation of statute; enforcement
Penalties for disconnecting, removing or destroying carbon monoxide detection system without written permit.

Massachusetts regulations

105 CMR 410.00 State sanitary code

• 410.330 Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms

527 CMR 1.00 Massachusetts comprehensive fire safety code

• 1.05 Chapter 13 Fire protection systems
  Chapter 13 also includes carbon monoxide devices.

Web sources

Carbon monoxide safety, Mass. Department of Fire Services
Lists the sources of carbon monoxide, symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, and safety tips.

Consumer's guide to Massachusetts requirements for carbon monoxide alarms, Mass. Department of Fire Services, 2015.
Brochure outlines the requirements of the law, including the type of alarms required and where to place them.

Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, Mass. Department of Fire Services.
Learn what kind you need to have and where they should be placed in your home. Explains requirements for landlords and large apartment buildings as well as provides links to safety brochures.

Print sources

Handling residential real estate transactions in Massachusetts, 6^th ed., MCLE, 2025.
Section 4.2.2(f): Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Detectors; Section 8.9: Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Certificate; Section 8.13.16(a): Smoke Detector and Carbon Monoxide Detector Certificate Disclosure.

Lease drafting in Massachusetts, 5^th ed., MCLE, 2023. 
Section 13.4.6 Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Detectors.

Massachusetts basic practice manual, 8^th ed., MCLE, 2024.
Section 4.1.2(h) Carbon Monoxide Detectors.

Residential and commercial landlord-tenant practice in Massachusetts, 5^th ed., MCLE, 2024.
Sections 1.2.8 Carbon Monoxide Detectors, and 18.4.2 Other Toxic Conditions.

Last updated:	March 11, 2025