Violation
California Code § 1596.954Carbon Monoxide Detectors
How CCLD inspectors cite this regulation, what providers do to stay clear of it, and where it appears in the public record.
Regulation text
What California Code § 1596.954 actually says
California Code § 1596.954
Every licensed child day care center shall have one or more carbon monoxide detectors in the facility that meet the standards established in Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 13260) of Part 2 of Division 12. The department shall account for the presence of these detectors during inspections. *(Added by Stats. 2014, Ch. 503, Sec. 4. (AB 2386) Effective January 1, 2015.)*
From the field
What providers tell us about this citation
Based on community experience, not official guidance.
Inspectors physically check that your carbon monoxide detectors are present, mounted, and functional. They press the test button during walkthroughs. If it doesn't beep, that's an immediate write-up, not a chance to replace batteries. You need detectors that meet Chapter 8 standards (UL 2034 certification), and they must be installed on every level of your facility where children have access. Battery-only models are acceptable, but I recommend hardwired units with battery backup because dead batteries are the number one reason providers get cited. Check your detectors monthly and log it. Inspectors sometimes ask to see your maintenance log, and having one shows good faith even if it's not explicitly required.
By the numbers
- 19*CCLD
- facilities cited in the last 90 days
- 7*CCLD
- counties where this citation appeared
- 42*CCLD
- rank among most-common citations
- Trajectory
- More citations than the prior period+12 facilities
That is 1 in 5000 facilities CCLD inspected.
SOURCE
*CCLD: California Community Care Licensing Divisionviolation_citationsUpdated weekly
SOURCE
*CCLD: California Community Care Licensing Divisionviolation_citationsUpdated weekly
SOURCE
*CCLD: California Community Care Licensing Divisionviolation_citationsUpdated weekly
Last 90 days vs. previous 90 days.
19 facilities were cited for this in the last 90 days. See if yours is one of them.
What other providers do
Common practices to stay clear of Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Common practices shared by providers. Confirm requirements with your licensing analyst.
Common practices
What to avoid
- Installing smoke detectors but not carbon monoxide detectors, or assuming a combo unit covers the requirement. Inspectors verify CO detection separately and check the label for CO-specific certification.
- Placing detectors only in the main activity room and skipping hallways, nap rooms, or kitchen areas. The regulation says the facility must have coverage, and inspectors check every room children use.
- Letting batteries die between inspections. Providers assume they'll hear the low-battery chirp, but in a noisy childcare environment it's easy to miss. A dead detector during an unannounced visit is an automatic citation.
- Using residential-grade detectors that don't meet Chapter 8 (Section 13260) standards. Not all hardware store models qualify, and inspectors check for the UL 2034 or CSA 6.19 certification marking.
- Mounting detectors too high or too low. Manufacturers specify optimal placement height, and while inspectors don't usually measure, a detector sitting on a shelf instead of wall-mounted may not function properly and can be flagged.
Regional record
Where this citation appeared in the past 90 days
Citation counts and rates by California county, drawn from CCLD inspection records. Click a county to see its weekly intelligence report.
| County | Citations |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 10 |
| Santa Clara | 3 |
| San Diego | 2 |
| Orange | 1 |
| ALAMEDA | 1 |
| Riverside | 1 |
| LOS ANGELES | 1 |
SOURCE
*CCLD: California Community Care Licensing Divisionviolation_citationsUpdated weekly
Public record
Check any facility for § 1596.954
Free public record. No account needed.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Answers based on public CCLD data and regulation text. May not reflect recent changes.
What are the Carbon Monoxide Detector requirements?
How common is this citation?
What triggers this citation during an inspection?
How can I prevent this citation?
What should I do if I receive this citation?
Related violations
Other citations in this regulation family
This information is educational and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed child care compliance consultant for guidance specific to your facility. Citation data is sourced from California Community Care Licensing Division public records and is refreshed regularly.