A carbon monoxide (CO) alarm should be fitted in any home that contains a fuel burning appliance, like a boiler, and tested regularly to ensure that it is working.carbon-monoxide-alarm
What is carbon monoxide (CO)?
Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colourless, tasteless and odourless gas that can cause harmful and potentially fatal effects.
Carbon monoxide is produced by the incomplete burning of fossil fuels, such as gas. This can occur in inadequately maintained or badly fitted heating appliances, such as boilers and gas fires. If your flue or chimney is blocked, CO will be unable to escape your home if produced, allowing a dangerous concentration to quickly build up.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is sometimes referred to as the “silent killer”. Every year in the UK, over 200 people go to hospital with suspected carbon monoxide poisoning, which leads to around 40 deaths.
If carbon monoxide escapes into your home it will cause symptoms that include headaches, breathlessness, drowsiness, vomiting, chest pains, dizziness, vision problems and eventually collapse and loss of consciousness – which can easily be confused with, or misdiagnosed as, flu, fatigue or food poisoning. Be aware of the symptoms and be prepared to react if you recognise them in yourself or others.
Reducing the risk
When was the last time your boiler was serviced? Ensuring that your gas appliances are installed and regularly serviced by Rockwaters Gas Safe Registered engineers is the first step to safety within your home.
Landlords are legally obliged to have an annual gas safety check completed in every property they let – and should provide tenants with a copy of the certificate.
New Law effective from October 2015. Landlords will be required by law to install working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in their properties, under measures announced by Housing Minister.
Install a carbon monoxide alarm in your home. The sensing technology in a carbon monoxide detector accurately measures the levels of CO and the time of exposure, and is designed to sound before carbon monoxide levels become threatening.
Where to install carbon monoxide (CO) detectors
It’s important to note that your carbon monoxide detector will not detect smoke – you will need a separate smoke alarm for this purpose.
Carbon monoxide detectors should be installed in every room that contains a fuel burning appliance. You can install them in other rooms to ensure adequate warning is given for occupants in other areas of your home – such as in rooms where people sleep.
It is also important to not install your CO detector in the wrong place – this could cause it go off unnecessarily, or not go off when needed.
Carbon monoxide (CO) safety tips
- Fit an audible carbon monoxide alarm and test it regularly
- Get fuel-burning appliances serviced annually by a Rockwater Gas Safe Registered engineer
- Keep ventilation ways clear and have flues chimneys swept at least once a year to identify and remove any blockages
- Check that you have enough ventilation in every room, and that air vents are kept clear
- Be aware of the symptoms: headaches, dizziness, nausea, breathlessness, collapsing and loss of consciousness are all signs of CO poisoning
- Key signs of exposure to carbon monoxide: if symptoms clear up when you’re away from home and come back when you return, or if other people in your household experience similar symptoms
If your carbon monoxide (CO) alarm sounds
- Switch off gas-fuelled appliances (boiler, cooker, gas fire) and open doors and windows in the room to ventilate. Do not sleep in the room
- Call the Gas Emergency Freephone Number 0800 111 999
- Visit your doctor or hospital urgently and tell then you believe you have symptoms related to carbon monoxide. Request a breath or blood test.
For more information or to book a boiler service, boiler repair please call us on 01603 498889
