Safety & Security
fumes and fire incidents. In fact, the National Fire Chiefs’ Council home safety committee has formed a cost-of-living crisis working group to help address this issue. Te only way to alert occupants to the presence of carbon monoxide is the
correct installation of a working CO alarm that meets the required European Standard. Tis will provide an early warning in the event that CO is detected, before the levels become dangerous and enabling householders to take action before experiencing any symptoms of CO poisoning and having unknowingly been inhaling toxic gas over time.
THE CURRENT LEGISLATION Under the legislation in England, landlords and housing providers are obligated to ensure that carbon monoxide alarms are correctly cited and in working order. Any alarms that are reported as faulty or not working must be repaired or replaced as soon as is reasonably practical. Any provider found to be in breach of the regulations can be fined up to £5,000. As we approach the anniversary of the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm
(Amendment) Regulations 2022 coming into effect, landlords and housing managers will undoubtedly be familiar with, and complying with, the legislation. However, it is imperative that landlords and managers take a proactive approach in regularly testing alarms to make sure they are in working order, as well as ensure that any newly acquired portfolios of tenanted stock are swiſtly assessed for compliance and appropriate action taken quickly where necessary. It is also important to check the manufacturer’s quoted lifetime for the alarm and replace it no later than recommended, to ensure continued protection. Under the regulations, any carbon monoxide alarm, whether already installed
or one that needs replacing, should adhere to the European EN 50291-1:2018 Standard. To comply, CO alarms must feature an ‘End-of-Life’ indicator that provides the occupant with a warning when the sensor is reaching the end of its service life. At this point, the entire CO alarm must be replaced. Tis warning must consist of a warning sound (usually a chirping noise) and a flashing LED to provide both audible and visual alerts. Specifically, the audible sound output must offer 85dB(A) at 3 metres. Tere are Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Smoke & Fire Protection Feature
The only way to alert occupants to the presence of carbon monoxide is the correct installation of a working CO alarm that meets the required European Standard
on the market which use an electrochemical CO sensor, providing continuous monitoring of CO levels and tested for a 10-year lifespan, to offer long-term peace of mind. To identify these alarms, make sure that products have been tested and
certified by an accredited third-party agency such as BSI or TÜV, and always purchase life safety products from reputable manufacturers at trusted merchants and retailers. A quality CO alarm will also offer stability against any environmental changes
such as humidity and temperature fluctuations. As such, they are less likely to give false alarms, which over time, can become a nuisance to the occupant and risk being turned off or ignored, which can have fatal consequences. A sealed unit CO detector can provide extra peace of mind and safeguarding for long lasting protection as these are tamper proof.
IN CONCLUSION Te regulations are a welcome move in reducing the number of fatalities and health risks associated with carbon monoxide. As part of a wider safety package, the government has also updated legal obligations surrounding the correct installation and maintenance of smoke alarms. Landlords should familiarise themselves with the latest smoke and CO legislation in their region to ensure they are providing sufficient protection while also meeting the legal standards required.
Simon Jones is marketing manager at Kidde Safety Europe
28 | HMMJune/July 2023 |
www.housingmmonline.co.uk
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