Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless, and poisonous gas.  CO is found in fumes produced any time you burn fuel in cars or trucks, small engines, stoves, lanterns, grills, fireplaces, gas ranges, or furnaces.  CO can build up indoors and poison people and animals who breathe it.  Exposure to CO can cause serious injury and even death.

In January of 2013, it became required to install CO alarms in all rental housing units in Washington.  Washington State law (RCW.19.27.530) requires carbon monoxide alarms to be installed in new residences and in existing rental properties.

Owner occupied single family residences legally occupied before July 26, 2009, are not required to have carbon monoxide alarms until they are sold or when a building permit application for interior remodeling is submitted.

 More information on carbon monoxide alarm requirements can be found by visiting the Washington State Building Code Council website.