PRINTER'S NO. 211
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No.258
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY FONTANA, HUGHES, BROWN, KANE, PENNYCUICK,
TARTAGLIONE, COMITTA, SAVAL, COSTA, SCHWANK, MUTH, FARRY AND
SANTARSIERO, FEBRUARY 20, 2025
REFERRED TO EDUCATION, FEBRUARY 20, 2025
AN ACT
Providing for standards for carbon monoxide alarms in
dormitories; and imposing penalties.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Short title.
This act shall be known and may be cited as the Carbon
Monoxide Alarm Standards in Dormitories Act.
Section 2. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Approved carbon monoxide alarm." The term includes:
(1) A single or multiple station carbon monoxide alarm
listed as complying with the approved American National
Standard for Safety for Single and Multiple Station Carbon
Monoxide Alarms (ANSI/UL2034) or a carbon monoxide detector
listed as complying with the approved American National
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17 Standard for Safety for Gas and Vapor Detectors and Sensors
(ANSI/UL2075) installed in accordance with this act.
(2) A device that may be combined with a smoke alarm or
smoke detector if the combined smoke alarm or detector meets
all of the following:
(i) Complies with either of the following:
(A) The approved American National Standard for
Safety for Single and Multiple Station Carbon
Monoxide Alarms (ANSI/UL2034) for carbon monoxide
alarms and the approved American National Standard
for Safety for Single and Multiple Station Smoke
Alarms (ANSI/UL217) for smoke alarms.
(B) The approved American National Standard for
Safety for Gas and Vapor Detectors and Sensors
(ANSI/UL2075) for carbon monoxide detectors and the
approved American National Standard for Safety for
Smoke Detectors for Fire Alarm Systems (ANSI/UL268)
for smoke detectors.
(ii) Emits an alarm in a manner that clearly
differentiates between detecting the presence of carbon
monoxide and the presence of smoke.
(3) A carbon monoxide detection system that includes
carbon monoxide detectors and audible notification appliances
that are installed and maintained in accordance with the
National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code (NFPA 72) and the
Standard for the Installation of Carbon Monoxide (CO)
Detection and Warning Equipment (NFPA 720) and are in
compliance with the approved American National Standard for
Safety for Gas and Vapor Detectors and Sensors (ANSI/UL2075).
"Dormitory." A building containing one or more housing units
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30 owned or leased by an institution of higher education which is
used as a residence by the students of the institution of higher
education.
"Fossil fuel." Coal, kerosene, oil, wood, fuel gases and
other petroleum or hydrocarbon products that emit carbon
monoxide as a by-product of combustion.
"Housing unit." A room or suite of two or more rooms that is
occupied, leased for occupation or intended or designed to be
occupied as a residence by the students of an institution of
higher education.
"Installed." A carbon monoxide alarm that is hardwired into
the electrical wiring, directly plugged into an electrical
outlet without a switch, other than a circuit breaker, or, if
the alarm is battery-powered, attached to the wall or ceiling of
a dormitory or a housing unit, in accordance with the Standard
for the Installation of Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detection and
Warning Equipment (NFPA 720).
"Institution of higher education." Any of the following:
(1) A university within the State System of Higher
Education under Article XX-A of the act of March 10, 1949
(P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949.
(2) A community college established under Article XIX-A
of the Public School Code of 1949.
(3) A State-related institution as defined in section
1502-A of the Public School Code of 1949.
(4) A college or university which is operated not for
profit, located in and incorporated or chartered by the
Commonwealth and entitled to confer degrees as set forth in
24 Pa.C.S. ยง 6505 (relating to power to confer degrees).
"Operational." Working and in service.
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30 Section 3. Administration.
Nothing in this act is intended to modify the authority and
responsibilities of the Department of Labor and Industry under
the act of November 10, 1999 (P.L.491, No.45), known as the
Pennsylvania Construction Code Act.
Section 4. Carbon monoxide alarm requirements.
(a) Dormitories.--Each dormitory that uses a fossil-fuel-
burning heater or appliance or has an attached garage must have
an operational, centrally located and approved carbon monoxide
alarm installed in the vicinity of the fossil-fuel-burning
heater or appliance and in every housing unit that is located on
the same story as the fossil-fuel-burning heater or appliance or
attached garage within 18 months of the effective date of this
section.
(b) Maintenance, repair or replacement.--The governing body
of an institution of higher education is responsible for
providing for the maintenance, repair or replacement of an
approved carbon monoxide alarm and the care and replacement of
batteries.
Section 5. Enforcement.
Willful failure to install or maintain an operational
approved carbon monoxide alarm required by this act is a summary
offense punishable by a fine of up to $50.
Section 6. Effective date.
This act shall take effect immediately.
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