NEST smart smoke and carbon monoxide sensor saving lives

IFA — Nest Labs, Inc. (www.nest.com) announced today that the Nest Learning ThermostatTM and Nest Protect: Smoke + Carbon MonoxideTM alarm will be available in Belgium, France, Ireland and the Netherlands later this month. Nest products will initially be sold in approximately 400 retail stores across Europe with another 150 stores to be added by the end of the year. Nest also announced three new European energy partnerships, adding Direct Energie, Essent and Lampiris, to offer more people the opportunity to save energy as part of their energy plans.

Nest Protect: Smoke + Carbon Monoxide

Nest data suggests that at least one million households in the U.S., U.K. and Canada are exposed to high levels of carbon monoxide each year. Because safety is knowing, Nest Protect does much more than just sound a shrill alarm when there’s danger in your home. Nest Protect speaks to you, in your local language, telling you what and where the problem is. It will even alert your phone when something’s wrong. Before it sounds a piercing alarm, Nest Protect gives you a friendly Heads-Up warning. And Nest Protect’s Pathlight glows white at night to light your way in the dark as you pass below it.

The More You Nest, The Better it Gets

Nest products can do even more by working together. For example, if Nest Protect’s carbon monoxide alarm goes off and there is an active WiFi connection at the time of the event, the Nest Thermostat automatically turns off the gas furnace – a frequent source of carbon monoxide leaks. In addition, Nest Protect’s activity sensors improve the Auto-Away feature of the Nest Thermostat.

California Carbon Monoxide Alarms for Homes

California final provisions for Carbon Monoxide Alarms in homes takes final effect on July 1, 2013. Beginning July 1, 2011, at least one CO alarm was required in all existing single-family dwellings with either a fuel-burning heater, fuel-burning appliance, fireplaces or an attached garage. All other single-family dwellings will now be required to have at least one CO alarm installed by July 1, 2013. The new law was referred to as the California Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act of 2010. 

The new rules required CO alarms/detectors in new construction and alterations/remodels with a permit value of $1,000 or more.  CO alarms are required outside sleeping areas, there should be at least one alarm per level including finished basements, etc. 

The initial requirements took effect July 1, 2011. Only dwellings that were single family dwellings with either a fuel-burning burning heater, a fuel-burning appliance, a fireplace or an attached garage were required to have CO alarms starting July 1, 2011. All other dwellings must have a CO alarm installed by July 1, 2013: e.g. condos, apartments, and town homes.

CBC 2010 - R315 Carbon Monoxide Alarms

R315.1 Carbon monoxide alarms. For new construction, an approved carbon monoxide alarm shall be installed in dwelling units and in sleeping units within which fuel-burning appliances are installed and in dwelling units that have attached garages.

R315.1.1 Power supply. For new construction required carbon monoxide alarms shall receive their primary power from the building wiring where such wiring is servedfrom a commercial source and shall be equipped with a battery back-up. Alarm wiring shall be directly connected to the permanent building wiring without a disconnecting switch other than as required for overcurrent protection.

Exceptions:

1. In dwelling units where there is no commercial power supply the carbon monoxide alarm may be solely battery operated.

2. In existing dwelling units a carbon monoxide alarm is permitted to be solely battery operated where repairs or alterations do not result in the removal of wall and ceiling finishes or there is no access by means of attic, basement or crawl space.

R315.1.2 Interconnection. Where more than one carbon monoxide alarm is required to be installed within the dwelling unit or within a sleeping unit the alarm shall be interconnected in a manner that activation of one alarm shall activate all of the alarms in the individual unit.

Exception:

1. Interconnection is not required in existing dwelling units where repairs do not result in the removal of wall and ceiling finishes, there is no access by means of attic, basement or crawl space, and no previous method for interconnection existed.

R315.2 Where required in existing dwellings. Where a permit is required for alterations, repairs or additions exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), existing dwellings or sleeping units that have attached garages or fuel-burning appliances shall be provided with a carbon monoxide alarm in accordance with Section R315.1. Carbon monoxide alarms shall only be required in the specific dwelling unit or sleeping unit for which the permit was obtained.

R315.3 Alarm requirements. Single and multiple-station carbon monoxide alarms shall be listed as complying with the requirements of UL 2034. Carbon monoxide detectors shall be listed as complying with the requirements of UL 2075. Carbon monoxide alarms and carbon monoxide detectors shall be installed in accordance with this code, the current edition of NFPA 720 "Standard for the Installation of Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detection and Warning Equipment" and the manufacturer's installation instructions. Other carbon monoxide alarm and detection devices as recognized in NFPA 720 are also acceptable.

Carbon monoxide alarms required by Sections R315.1 and R315.2 shall be installed in the following locations:

1. Outside of each separate dwelling unit sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedroom( s).

2. On every level of a dwelling unit including basements.

3. R315.3.1 Multiple-purpose alarms. Carbon monoxide alarms combined with smoke alarms shall comply with Section R315, all applicable standards, and requirements for listing and approval by the Office of the State Fire Marshal, for smoke alarms.

About Steve Zivolich 
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Guaranteed Property Inspections: www.gpinspect.com

Steve Zivolich, M.A., the owner/operator of Guaranteed Property Inspection and Mold Investigation Inc. has been providing property and environmental inspections for over 13 years in Orange County and Southern California.

Steve Z. has performed over 7,000 home inspections, mold, energy and environmental inspections and is fully certified and insured to meet all your inspection needs. He personally provides all field inspection services and as a result is able to maintain the highest Better Business Bureau rating of A+.

Steve has extensive training and years of experience as a home, mold, energy, radon, EMF/RF and environmental inspections,  that will guarantee that you receive the most thorough, state of the art and comprehensive inspection that follows current industry standards of practice and codes of ethics.

He conducts every inspection, as if he were moving his own family into the property. Steve also backs up every home inspection with a 90 day warranty, that is purchased on your behalf from American Home Warranty Association.

Unlike other home inspection companies, who will need to refer you to an environmental and/or energy audit contractor, Steve is a nationally certified expert that can handle the job without making you jump through hoops to hire additional people before the end of your inspection period, including the areas of: mold, asbestos, allergens, child safety, radon, formaldehyde, energy, EMF, water quality, and VOC's. 

As a result of his advanced training, he is able to offer a FREE energy audit and FREE limited mold investigation as well, with each home inspection.
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Please take the time to read through Steve's home inspector credentials and qualifications as this is so important when hiring an inspector. www.gpinspect.com

Don't focus on price alone, focus on value, quality, experience and professionalism. When you hire an inspector, any inspector, you are hiring their individual knowledge, experience and qualifications so make sure you hire the best, not just the cheapest. We are confident that you will be Steve's next satisfied customer.