Most of the carbon monoxide detectors installed more than five years ago will have to be replaced in the new year under legislation signed by the Mayor on Tuesday. The law requires building owners to replace units either within six months from the effective date of the law (120 days from signing) or when their useful life has expired, whichever is later. The typical useful life is 5 to 7 years and most detectors were installed shortly after they were first required in 2004, so time is up in most cases.
The original law required owners to keep a record of installation, so if you have the manufacturer, model, and date of installation you could look up the useful life. Under the new law, owners can charge tenants the same $25 fee for replacement as they could for a new unit, if the useful life is expired. Tenants are still responsible for ordinary maintenance.
Under national standards adopted in 2009 and the new City law, all new carbon monoxide detectors have to have an audible alarm, similar to a low battery alarm, when their useful life is expiring.