Dear Ken:
A question has come up in my coop building where I reside and am on the
Board Of Directors. Carbon monoxide detectors have been installed in all
apartments of this building, as per NYC requirement.
My question is that a deaf women resides in this building, and it
is unclear to us or our managing agent, what will we have to install to be
in compliance with the law in this deaf women's apartment?
Also, all shareholder were billed for the installation of these
detectors. Who must bear the cost of the installation of the proper carbon
monoxide detector whatever type it may be, in this women's apartment.
I am a member a member of the MBFAA, in good standing for over 15
Years.
I would appreciate any insight into this matter that you may have.
Thank you very much in advance,
Richard
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
You may recall this question a few weeks ago regarding installation of CO
detector in NYC for a deaf person. Here is what appears to be the
definitive answer. Thanks to Alan Glasser of MBFAA for following up on
this and finding the expert to respond.
++++++++++++++++++++
NYC Building Code Reference Standard 17-12, section 5.1.3.1, requires a CO
detector to cause the operation of a visible alarm signal with a minimum
rating of 110 candela within 16 feet of the pillow in a sleeping room
occupied by a hearing impaired person. Additional CO alarms may be
installed in other parts of the same apartment (i.e. non-bedrooms), and
these additional alarms need only be 15 candelas (because they do not need
to wake the person up from a sleep).
There are several models available. I would recommend doing a yahoo.com or
google.com search with the terms "Carbon monoxide" and "strobe". Most of
the models I have seen are hardwired (AC 120V) or plug-in, and are in the
range of $200+.
As to who pays, that's HPD's area. It is my understanding that in a
tenant-landlord relationship, the maximum payment by the tenant is $25. In
a co-op, that would be the same unless there is something in the
proprietary lease that says otherwise. But this is not really my area, so
if this is an issue about payments, please contact HPD on this matter.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
James Colgate
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James P. Colgate, RA, Esq.
Executive Architect
New York City Department of Buildings
280 Broadway, 7th Floor
New York, NY 10007
Phone (212) 566-3204
Fax (212) 566-3796
jamescol@buildings.nyc.gov