What Alabama Requires for CO Detectors in Homes and Facilities
Last verified: February 18, 2026
Alabama carbon monoxide detector laws are split between statewide facility rules and code adoption pathways. Alabama carbon monoxide detector requirements clearly apply to DMH-certified residential facilities under Ala. Admin. Code r. 580-3-22-.10 when fuel-burning appliances, fireplaces, or attached garages are present.
For many one- and two-family homes and rentals, the practical legal trigger is local enforcement of adopted residential code language such as IRC R315 through the Alabama Energy and Residential Code framework. Hotels and similar occupancies within the Alabama State Building Code scope are covered through statewide IBC adoption and state or local enforcement channels. Owners and operators should confirm city or county code edition, document installation near sleeping areas, and retain maintenance records for inspections.
Because duties differ by occupancy type, a property-level compliance review is more reliable than assuming one universal Alabama statute for every home and rental unit.
In 60 Seconds
| Applies to homes? | No |
|---|---|
| Applies to rentals? | No |
| Applies to hotels/STRs? | Yes |
When Are CO Alarms Required?
- Buildings with fuel-burning appliances
- Buildings with attached garages
- New construction
- When building permits are required
- DMH-certified residential facilities: CO detectors required per Ala. Admin. Code r. 580-3-22-.10 when fuel-burning appliance, fireplace, or attached garage present.
- Statewide residential construction: 2015 IRC R315 adopted via AERC (305-2-4-.09) — applies to new construction and permitted work. Enforcement is local; some jurisdictions (e.g., Montgomery with 2003 IRC) may not enforce R315.
Where to Install CO Alarms
- Covered DMH/MR residential facilities: “Facilities containing a fuel-burning appliance or fireplace or having an attached garage shall be equipped with carbon monoxide detectors.” (Ala. Admin. Code r. 580-3-22-.10, (n)2)
- Placement details (e.g., “outside sleeping areas”, “every level”) are not specified in the cited DMH rule text.
For detailed placement guidance beyond legal requirements, see where to place carbon monoxide detectors.
Device Requirements
- Not specified in the cited DMH rules.
Landlord and Tenant Responsibilities
- Operator of the DMH/MR-certified residential facility (the rule imposes duties on the “facility”).
Enforcement
Enforced by: Alabama Department of Mental Health — Office of Life Safety and Technical Services.
Enforcement typically occurs:
- Residential facilities may be inspected on a semi-annual basis under routine circumstances.
- DMH’s Life Safety/Technical Services deficiencies framework allows time-limited corrective action; failure to correct within prescribed times may result in decertification of the violating program/facility.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Specific fines/criminal penalties for CO-detector noncompliance are not stated in the cited DMH rules; enforcement is primarily through certification/inspection mechanisms, including possible decertification for uncorrected deficiencies.
Additional Notes
- Two separate regulatory pathways for CO detectors: (1) DMH-certified facilities via Ala. Admin. Code 580-3-22-.10; (2) residential and commercial code pathways via AERC and State Building Code adoption.
- AERC adopted 2015 IRC with R315 intact (not listed among amendments at 305-2-4-.09), but practical enforcement is local and project-specific rather than one blanket statewide mandate for all existing homes and rentals.
- DCM code (355-12-1) covers only state/public buildings, hotels, movie theaters — NOT residential. Do not confuse with AERC.
Official Sources & References
- Alabama Administrative Code — Rule 580-3-22-.10 (Over Sixteen Bed Residential Facility) (PDF via Alabama Legislature Admin Code API) — (n) OPEN FLAME DEVICES, item 2 (CO detectors requirement). (state code, accessed 2026-02-16)
Primary official rule text for DMH/MR residential facilities with over 16 residents; includes the CO-detector requirement tied to fuel-burning appliances, fireplaces, or attached garages. - Alabama Administrative Code — Chapter 580-3-22 (Minimum Standards for Physical Facilities) (PDF via Alabama Legislature Admin Code API) — 580-3-22-.03 (Inspection and right of entry); 580-3-22-.07 (deficiencies; possible decertification). (state code, accessed 2026-02-16)
Official chapter-level PDF providing DMH inspection authority and enforcement mechanisms applicable to certified residential facilities. - Alabama Administrative Code — Alabama State Building Code (Ala. Admin. Code ch. 355-12-1) (PDF via Alabama Legislature Admin Code API) — 355-12-1-.01(1)(a)-(b) (adopts 2021 IBC; applicability to state buildings and certain occupancies). (building code, accessed 2026-02-16)
Official statewide building-code adoption (by reference) for buildings within the State Building Code’s scope; this chapter does not itself restate CO-alarm/CO detection placement/trigger requirements. - City of Auburn, Alabama — Residential Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarms (Inspection Services information bulletin) (PDF) — CO alarm triggers and placement bullets (outside sleeping areas; every level; hardwired with battery backup). (agency guidance, accessed 2026-02-16)
Local (City of Auburn) guidance, not statewide. Included as an example of how a local jurisdiction describes/implements building-code CO-alarm provisions. - Alabama Energy and Residential Code (AERC) — adopts 2015 IRC including R315 — 305-2-4-.09 (building code, accessed 2026-02-16)
AERC Board adopted 2015 IRC with R315 intact for residential construction. R315 not listed among amendments. - Alabama Division of Construction Management — Building Codes — 355-12-1 (agency guidance, accessed 2026-02-16)
Confirms DCM scope covers state/public buildings, hotels, movie theaters — NOT residential. Residential falls under AERC.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for general guidance and is not legal advice. Requirements may vary by city, county, and building type. Always verify current rules with local authorities and official sources.
Frequently Asked Questions
For Alabama operators, which occupancy and trigger factors create mandatory alarm duty?
The clearest statewide mandate appears in Ala. Admin. Code r. 580-3-22-.10 for DMH-certified residential facilities. That rule requires detectors when a facility has a fuel-burning appliance, fireplace, or attached garage. For other dwellings, Alabama carbon monoxide alarm requirements are often implemented through locally enforced building-code adoption, including IRC R315 pathways referenced through AERC rule 305-2-4-.09. In practice, owners should verify local code edition before assuming coverage, because enforcement can vary by jurisdiction even within the same state.
Do Alabama single-family homes follow a statewide CO statute or local code adoption?
Alabama does not rely on one broad residential statute for every detached home. Instead, many compliance obligations for houses come from locally adopted building code language, especially where IRC R315 is in force through state and local code administration. That means new construction and permit-based projects are the most common trigger points for home installation requirements. Owners should confirm the active municipal code edition and inspection policy before project start. This approach reduces surprises at final inspection and aligns with Alabama carbon monoxide detector compliance expectations.
Which Alabama occupancies have the strongest statewide CO requirement today?
DMH-certified residential facilities have the most explicit statewide Alabama requirement because Ala. Admin. Code r. 580-3-22-.10 directly states detector obligations. Other occupancies may still face carbon monoxide alarm duties, but those obligations are commonly tied to local code adoption and project-specific enforcement. For portfolio operators, this means occupancy mapping is essential: facility licensing rules, local building code requirements, and inspection authority should be checked together. Treating every property as identical can create compliance gaps, especially when mixed occupancy types are involved across multiple counties.
How should Alabama landlords approach CO alarm duties when rental statutes are limited?
Because Alabama landlord-tenant statutes do not provide one detailed statewide CO duty matrix, landlords should work from applicable local building and fire code triggers plus lease terms. If a rental unit is covered by adopted IRC-style requirements, owners should install and maintain alarms before occupancy, then document repairs and tenant notices. Keeping written logs for inspections, work orders, and battery replacement decisions can reduce legal exposure after incidents. This operational approach supports Alabama carbon monoxide detector requirements even where statewide rental language is limited.
What placement standard is used in Alabama permit-based projects?
Where local jurisdictions enforce IRC R315-style language, placement usually follows sleeping-area and floor-level rules used in modern residential code practice. Common interpretations include detectors outside sleeping areas and on each level of covered dwellings, with additional placement when fuel-burning equipment is near bedrooms. Alabama sources such as local inspection guidance reference these patterns, but city-level enforcement details still control final approval. Builders should confirm placement diagrams with the local code office before rough-in and keep device listing documentation for the inspection file.
How do Alabama requirements compare with Georgia code enforcement?
Alabama uses a mixed model that combines targeted statewide rules, such as Ala. Admin. Code r. 580-3-22-.10, with local enforcement of adopted residential code provisions. Georgia also depends heavily on local enforcement, but it is usually framed around state minimum code adoption and IRC Section R315 workflows. Teams operating in both states should maintain separate jurisdiction checklists instead of copying one compliance template. For a side-by-side regional reference, review Georgia CO detector laws before finalizing installation and inspection procedures.
Practical CO Detector Guides
Beyond legal requirements, these guides help you choose, install, and maintain CO alarms:
- Where to place carbon monoxide detectors — room-by-room placement recommendations
- CO detector beeping patterns — what different alarms mean
- What to do if your detector goes off — emergency response checklist
- CO resources and links — official agencies and safety information