Carbon Monoxide Detectors

HUD has released PIH Notice 2022-01 requiring the use of carbon monoxide detectors in certain units receiving federal rental assistance.

PIH Notice 2022-01 clarifies that HUD will enforce the requirements instituted by Congress requiring Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) landlords/owners comply with the International Fire Code (IFC) 2018 standards on the installation of CO alarms or detectors.

Effective 1/1/2023, if the unit has fire fueled or fire burning appliances, such as gas stoves/ovens, gas furnaces, gas wall heaters, gas water heaters, or gas clothes dryers, a carbon monoxide detector must be installed within 10 feet of each room used for sleeping purposes.

The requirements may be satisfied with the installation of a hard-wired or battery-powered carbon monoxide alarm or a hard-wired or battery-powered combination carbon monoxide and smoke alarm.

IF THE UNIT IS ALL ELECTRIC, NO CARBON MONOXIDE ALARM OR DETECTOR IS REQUIRED.

During Housing Quality Standards (HQS) Inspections, if a unit is found to be without the required detectors or has non-functioning detectors, a “Fail” Inspection status will be issued and the unit must be brought into compliance by the time of the unit’s re-inspection.

For more information regarding HUD’s Carbon Monoxide requirement or to view the IFC please view the links below:

For the PIH Notice 2022-01,  https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/PIH/documents/PIH2022-01.pdf

For the full 2018 IFC,  http://codes.ccsafe.org/content/IFC2018

Please direct any additional questions you have to the GHA HQS Inspection Team at 972-205-3393.