RICHMOND — The Virginia Senate approved legislation today that would require some college dormitories and assisted living facilities to install carbon monoxide detectors.

On a 40-0 vote, the Senate mandated installation of the devises by 2010. The legislation affects dorms, faculty living quarters and assisted living facilities served by fuel-burning appliances that might leak the dangerous gas.

And in an effort to protect residents from carbon monoxide from nearby vehicles, the bill alsapplies to buildings that have an attached carport or garage or are adjacent to a parking space.

Although a similar bill failed to win the endorsement of a legislative study group, advocates cited an incident last summer in which one person died and dozens fell ill from a carbon monoxide leak in a Roanoke College dormitory.