Bill would require fuel gas detectors in covered North Carolina buildings

Landlords would install and maintain fuel gas detectors in covered rental properties. The requirement would cover every room in a rental property with an appliance fueled by propane, natural gas, or liquefied petroleum gas. Detectors would need a sensor and alarm and approval by a nationally recognized testing laboratory. At the start of each tenancy, landlords would check that detectors work and, unless they and the tenant agree otherwise in writing, replace batteries in battery-powered detectors. Without actual knowledge or written notice that repair or replacement is needed, a landlord's failure to do so would not count as evidence of negligence in a later civil case involving death, injury, or property loss. A landlord acquiring a property without compliant detectors would have 30 days to install them. A landlord would repair or replace a detector immediately after receiving written notice of a problem.

Building code provisions would require building owners to install and maintain fuel gas detectors. The buildings include those covered by the North Carolina Residential Code, certain multifamily housing, commercial buildings, and public higher education facilities. Detectors would be required in rooms or areas with a gas appliance. Detectors would need to follow manufacturers' instructions and other building code requirements. For commercial buildings, the code could also require detectors in other areas at risk of a fuel gas leak.

The UNC Board of Governors and the State Board of Community Colleges would each adopt a fuel gas safety policy for their systems. The UNC policy would cover buildings owned, leased, or operated by UNC constituent institutions. The community college policy would cover buildings owned, leased, or operated by community colleges. Each policy would address risks from fuel gas systems and appliances and require detectors or upgrades where appropriate, following manufacturers' instructions and recognized standards. A policy would not require new detectors where existing monitoring or other technology meets or exceeds fuel gas detection standards. Following the applicable policy would satisfy building code requirements to the extent stated in the bill. Each system's governing board would adopt its policy by July 1, 2027. Each covered institution or college would put it in place by July 1, 2030. Public higher education buildings would not have to meet the building code detector rules before their policy implementation date.

State or local officials could inspect covered buildings and impose civil penalties for detector violations. The penalties would apply to rental properties and buildings covered by the fuel gas detector building code provisions. For rental properties, the State Fire Marshal could impose up to $500 per violation and waive the penalty if the problem is corrected within 10 days after a complaint is issued. For other covered buildings, an authorized local government could impose up to $500 per violation. If local inspection or enforcement ends, the State Fire Marshal or another responsible state official could act instead. The same violation could not receive penalties under both provisions. An official could waive a penalty if the problem is corrected within 10 days after notice. The 10-day correction period would start when an official issues a complaint or notice of violation, as applicable.