Maine has a new law going into effect on January 1, 2022, that requires the installation of fuel gas detectors for many residential and business occupancies. Section 2469 of Title 25 requires the installation of fuel gas detectors (detectors akin to carbon monoxide detectors, and often found in a combined unit with a carbon monoxide detector) that detect elevated levels of propane, natural gas, and liquified petroleum gas. The law was passed by the legislature in response to the Sept. 16, 2019, explosion that leveled the two-story building that housed the offices of LEAP Inc., in Farmington.

Specifically, the law requires building owners to install (or cause to be installed) at least one approved fuel gas detector in every room containing an appliance fueled by propane, natural gas, or LPG in various locations, including each unit in any building of multifamily occupancy; a hotel, motel or inn; a mixed use occupancy that contains a dwelling unit; and a business occupancy. The law also requires installation of detectors in residential rental units. The law also applies to the sale or exchange of buildings containing specified uses, and requires those who acquire such property to install detectors within 30 days of acquisition or occupancy, whichever is later, and to certify in writing at closing that fuel gas detectors will be installed.

The text of the law may be found here: Title 25, §2469: Fuel gas detectors (maine.gov)

Additional information and a summary of the law from Maine’s State Fire Marshall may be found here: https://www.maine.gov/dps/fmo/sites/maine.gov.dps.fmo/files/inline-files/Gasdetection.pdf

For more information, please contact Steve Arner at steve@westernmainelaw.com or at (207) 237-0000.