Smoke & Fire Protection Feature
Safety & Security
Protecting tenants from the silent killer
Simon Jones from Kidde Safety Europe explains the role of carbon monoxide alarms in ensuring a robust life safety approach – and why it is so important that the models chosen meet the requirements of EN 50291
L
ast year, the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015 were extended to include new obligations for registered providers of social housing regarding carbon monoxide safety. As such, the Smoke
and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022 came into effect on 1 October 2022, which require all landlords, including the previously exempt housing associations and local authority landlords, to ensure that a carbon monoxide alarm is installed in any room used as living accommodation that contains a combustible appliance – such as a gas boiler, water heater, wood stove, or fire (gas cookers are not included).
THE DANGERS OF CARBON MONOXIDE Known as the silent killer, carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless, tasteless, toxic gas that is produced when fuels such as gas, oil, charcoal, coal and wood
do not burn completely – a common result of old, poorly maintained or incorrectly installed household appliances. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headaches, dizziness, weakness, vomiting, chest pain and confusion. With higher exposure or when levels increase, it can cause seizures, loss of consciousness, paralysis and death. Te government identifies people with diseases that affect the delivery
of oxygen to the heart or brain, such as those with coronary heart disease, angina, asthma or anaemia as being particularly at risk from carbon monoxide poisoning, as the amount of oxygen being carried to the heart or brain is further reduced by carbon monoxide. With the cost-of-living crisis and surging energy prices, it is expected that
households on lower incomes could also be at increased risk, as they look to find alternative ways of heating their homes which may expose them to CO, toxic
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