16 Del. C. ch. 66C § 6603C
Carbon monoxide detection device installation
Operative Text
(a) Carbon monoxide detection devices required under § 6602C(a) of this title must be installed in accordance with the rules and regulations promulgated by the State Fire Marshal’s Office that must include all of the following: (1) Single station battery-operated carbon monoxide detection devices listed for the purposes for which they are intended are permitted if both of the following conditions exist: a. The lodging establishment was either constructed or received final approval for construction, before January 1, 2019; b. The carbon monoxide detection devices are installed pursuant to manufacturers’ specifications. (2) Requirements will be consistent with the standards and guidelines of all of the following: a. The recommendations and instructions provided by the manufacturer of a device. b. Local building codes. c. The American National Standards Institute. (b) Carbon monoxide detection devices are not required in a dwelling unit or sleeping unit if any of the following apply: (1) A dwelling unit or sleeping unit is located more than 1 story above or below any story that contains a fuel-burning appliance or an attached garage. (2) A dwelling unit or sleeping unit is not connected by duct work or ventilation shafts to any room containing a fuel-burning appliance or to an attached garage.
Section 6603C of Title 16 of the Delaware Code establishes how and where carbon monoxide detection devices must be installed in lodging establishments. Installation must follow rules set by the State Fire Marshal's Office and align with manufacturer instructions, local building codes, and American National Standards Institute standards. Older buildings constructed or approved before January 1, 2019, may use single-station battery-operated detectors if they meet manufacturer specifications. Certain dwelling or sleeping units are exempt from the requirement entirely—specifically those located more than one story away from any fuel-burning appliance or attached garage, or those not connected to such spaces through ductwork or ventilation shafts.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of lodging establishments subject to § 6603C must ensure that carbon monoxide detectors are installed in compliance with State Fire Marshal's Office regulations, which incorporate manufacturer guidelines, local building codes, and ANSI standards. For properties constructed or finally approved before January 1, 2019, single-station battery-operated units are an acceptable option, provided they are installed per manufacturer specifications. Compliant operators also assess each dwelling or sleeping unit to determine whether the statutory exemptions—such as sufficient vertical separation from fuel-burning appliances or lack of shared ductwork—apply before omitting a device from any unit.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 6603C, tenants in lodging establishments generally have a right to properly installed carbon monoxide detection devices unless their specific unit qualifies for a statutory exemption, such as being located more than one story above or below any fuel-burning appliance or attached garage, or having no duct or ventilation connection to such spaces. If a required detector appears to be missing or improperly installed, tenants may consider contacting the Delaware State Fire Marshal's Office, which is responsible for promulgating and overseeing the installation rules under this provision. Tenant-rights organizations can also help explain what options may be available when a lodging establishment appears to be out of compliance with § 6603C.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 22, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation