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HLS 26RS-2723 ORIGINAL
2026 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 1164
BY REPRESENTATIVE MENA
BUILDING CODES: Requires gas detection devices in homes with gas appliances
1 AN ACT
2 To enact R.S. 40:1581.1, relative to fuel gas alarms; to require fuel gas alarms in dwellings
3 containing gas appliances or connections; to provide for definitions; to provide for
4 rulemaking authority; to provide for enforcement in conjunction with existing
5 building inspections; to provide for an effective date; and to provide for related
6 matters.
7 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
8 Section 1. R.S. 40:1581.1 is hereby enacted to read as follows:
9 §1581.1. Fuel gas alarms; residential dwellings
10 A. As used in this Section, the following terms have the following meanings:
11 (1) "Covered residential dwelling" means any single-family or multi-family
12 residence; or any structure, or room or group of rooms within a structure; used or
13 intended for residential purposes that contains one or more gas-fueled appliances and
14 has an active natural gas or liquefied propane gas service connection.
15 (2) "Fuel gas alarm" means a device designed to detect natural gas or
16 liquefied propane gas and provide an audible alarm, visual alarm, or combination
17 thereof, that is all of the following:
18 (a) Tested and listed by a nationally recognized independent testing
19 laboratory.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
HLS 26RS-2723 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 1164
1 (b) Conforms to Standard 1484 or Standard 2075 as published by
2 Underwriters Laboratories, or a successor nationally recognized standard.
3 (c) Installed in accordance with manufacturer instructions and applicable
4 safety standards.
5 B.(1) Covered residential dwellings shall have at least one fuel gas alarm
6 installed in any room containing a gas appliance.
7 (2) Fuel gas alarms shall be installed in accordance with manufacturer
8 installation instructions and with any rules promulgated by the fire marshal
9 consistent with nationally-recognized safety standards.
10 (3) Battery-powered or plug-in fuel gas alarms are permitted in existing
11 residential dwellings unless otherwise required by applicable building codes.
12 (4) Operators of licensed residential care facilities shall comply in
13 accordance with existing Louisiana Department of Health regulatory frameworks.
14 Nothing in this Section creates additional enforcement authority for residential care
15 facilities beyond existing health and safety regulations.
16 C.(1) The fire marshal may promulgate rules reasonably necessary to
17 implement this Section, including adoption of nationally recognized performance
18 standards, installation and placement guidance, and reasonable exemptions.
19 (2) Rules promulgated pursuant to this Section shall prioritize public
20 education and voluntary compliance. The fire marshal may collaborate with fire
21 departments, nonprofit fire safety organizations, or other stakeholders to develop
22 educational materials regarding the installation and maintenance of fuel gas alarms.
23 D.(1) This Section shall be enforced only in conjunction with existing
24 building inspections, fire safety inspections, or certificate of occupancy processes.
25 No inspection shall be conducted solely for the purpose of determining compliance
26 absent reasonable cause related to another safety concern.
27 (2) For a violation of this Section, a written warning shall be issued and a
28 reasonable opportunity to cure the violation shall be provided.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
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HLS 26RS-2723 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 1164
1 E.(1) The provisions of this Section do not require interconnection, remote
2 monitoring, or system integration unless otherwise required pursuant to separate
3 building or fire codes.
4 (2) The provisions of this Section do not impose liability, fault, or regulatory
5 responsibility upon any public utility or gas service provider for conditions occurring
6 within privately owned property.
7 Section 2. This Act shall become effective on January 1, 2030.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 1164 Original 2026 Regular Session Mena
Abstract: Requires fuel gas alarms in residential dwellings containing a gas appliance.
Proposed law defines "covered residential dwelling" and "fuel gas alarm".
Proposed law requires covered residential dwellings to have a fuel gas alarm in any room
containing a gas appliance.
Proposed law provides the state fire marshal with authority to promulgate necessary rules
and regulations.
Proposed law provides that proposed law shall be enforced only in conjunction with existing
building inspections, fire safety inspections, or certificate of occupancy processes.
Proposed law provides for issuance of written warnings and a reasonable curative period for
violations of proposed law.
Proposed law provides that proposed law does not require interconnection or remote
monitoring, and that proposed law does not impose fault or liability on a utility provider.
Effective January 1, 2030.
(Adds R.S. 40:1581.1)
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.