Massachusetts law about carbon monoxide detectors

COVID-19

Governor’s  COVID-19 Order No. 12 Permitting the Temporary Conditional Deferral of Certain Inspections of Residential Real Estate, effective March 20, 2020.  During the COVID-19 state of emergency, inspections required under MGL chapter 148 sec. 26F ½ may be deferred as a condition of sale. This emergency order was rescinded as of July 10, 2020 by Governor’s COVID-19 Order No. 41.

Massachusetts law

Nicole's Law: MGL c.148, § 26F 1/2
Requires carbon monoxide detectors in most homes. 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.

Massachusetts regulations

105 CMR 410.351(A), 410.482, and 410.750(N)  State sanitary code

527 CMR 1, § 13.7 Massachusetts comprehensive fire safety code:  Carbon monoxide protection systems

Web sources

Carbon monoxide safety, Mass. Dept. 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. Dept. of Fire Services, 2015.
Brochure outlines the requirements of the law, including the type of alarms required and where to place them.

Guide to Massachusetts smoke & carbon monoxide requirements when selling a 1 or  2 family residence, Mass. Dept. of Fire Services, 2016.

Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, Mass. Dept. of Fire Services.
Learn what kind you need to have and where they should be placed in your home.

Print sources

Handling residential real estate transactions in Massachusetts, 4th ed., MCLE loose-leaf, sections 4.2.2(f), 8.9, and 8.13.16 (home inspection and closings).

Lease drafting in Massachusetts, 4th ed., MCLE, loose-leaf, section 13.4.6 (Carbon monoxide and smoke detectors).

Residential and commercial landlord-tenant practice in Massachusetts, 3^rd ed. MCLE, loose-leaf, sections 1.2.7 and 18.4.2 (Carbon monoxide detectors and toxic conditions). 

Last updated:	January 26, 2021