S2402. Requires carbon monoxide detectors in school buildings.

Summary

This bill would require the installation of carbon monoxide detection devices in schools, including public and private schools. Recently, several children and teachers were sickened and had to be hospitalized due to carbon monoxide exposure in a Georgia school. That incident could have been avoided with the installation of relatively inexpensive carbon monoxide detection devices. This bill would help prevent such an incident from happening in New Jersey and protect the health and safety of school children and employees by requiring the installation of these devices in all schools. This bill would not require the installation of carbon monoxide detection devices if it is determined that there is no potential carbon monoxide hazard in a school. Thus, these devices would not be required in a school which does not have a heat source that could potentially emit carbon monoxide fumes. The Commissioner of Community Affairs would promulgate regulations concerning the installation and standards for carbon monoxide detection devices, which current law requires to be installed in multiple dwellings and certain other residential housing. Inspection for installation of the devices would be done by local fire officials or the Division of Fire Safety in the Department of Community Affairs, depending upon which agency has jurisdiction for fire safety inspections in the area. The enforcing agency would be authorized to impose a fee for the costs associated with inspections and the issuance of certificates.