The family of a young man who died in 2022 due to carbon monoxide poisoning appeared at Pearland City Hall this month to advocate for changes in city codes.
“It will give our family comfort to know that something good has come from this terrible loss,” said Scott Feuless, whose son Nick died at just 27 after a vehicle was left running in a garage located directly under his bedroom.
Since Nick’s apartment had been built in 2013, carbon monoxide monitors were not required to be installed. They have since been mandated for new construction — but not for existing units.
“The last thing I want is for someone to go through the same thing our family did.”
– Isabella Seretti, sister of Nick Feuless
“I truly believe that if there was a carbon monoxide detector, he would still be with us today,” said Isabella Seretti, Nick’s younger sister. “The last thing I want is for someone to go through the same thing our family did.”
City Council in January will consider updates to safety codes, one of which is requiring existing multi-family buildings to be retrofitted with carbon monoxide detectors.
“A life is way too precious and there are multiple ways carbon monoxide can be in an apartment,” Seretti said. “It’s the same reason why seatbelts are in our car, to protect us.”
The proposed code amendments will be considered during the Jan. 9 and Jan. 22 city council meetings.
Other proposed changes require automatic sprinkler systems in commercial buildings that are 10,000 square feet or larger. This would apply to new construction only.
Proposed changes also include giving the fire marshal’s office authority to remove debris and burned materials 10 days after a structure fire to prevent them from becoming a safety hazard.
