As of Feb. 1, 2011, all one- and two-family dwellings in the state of Wisconsin will be required to install carbon monoxide (CO) alarms to comply with changes in Chs. Comm 21 and 28, Wis. Adm. Code. The rule changes are in response to 2009 Act 158, enacted March 10, 2010, and follow a similar requirement for multi-family dwellings. Wisconsin Electronic Security Association president Tom Binish noted that the law permits CO detectors that are connected to an alarm system and that the association promotes the use of monitored detectors in all homes.
“According to the American Medical Association, CO poisoning is the leading cause of accidental poisoning in the United States,” said Department of Commerce Secretary Paul Jadin. “CO alarms have shown their effectiveness in alerting occupants to the presence of this poisonous gas.”