PHAM NEWS | SEPTEMBER 2024 GasSafety
How to abide by the rules relating to CO alarms
What do the latest regulations have to say about the installation of CO alarms, which properties do they apply to and what are the products you need to look out for to ensure you comply? Andy Speake from Aico has the answers.
2022 (legislation) came into force, these changes impacted all private and social rented properties. Previously, the legislation only impacted private rented properties. The Building Regulations
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(Approved Document J) were also updated to refl ect the new legislation so, as of 1st October 2022, all new build properties (containing a fuel burning appliance, other than a cooker) and all rented (social and private) properties need to ensure they follow the changes as outlined.
Around the UK Legislation in England and Wales states that all properties should have a CO alarm fi tted in every room used as living accommodation which contains any fuel-burning appliance, such as gas boilers, wooden stoves and open fi res. Although cookers are excluded
from this requirement, the use of CO alarms in rooms with fuel-burning cookers is still recommended within the British Standard, BS EN 50292. Scottish regulations state that
adequate CO protection must be fi tted in rooms which have a fi xed fuel burning appliance or a fl ue. If a CO alarm is installed, it must comply with BS EN 50291, and have a long- life battery if battery powered. Legislation in Northern Ireland
states that CO alarms must be installed in any room or circulation space within a property that contains a fi xed combustion appliance or a fl ue.
Exceptions to the rules Many residential premises in the private rented sector, including tenancies where the building is in mixed-use such as a fl at above a shop, need to abide by these regulations. However, there are certain situations where premises fall outside of the scope of the CO alarm legislation, such as: • A tenancy which the occupier
shares accommodation with the landlord or member of the landlord’s family • A tenancy that is let on a lease
hen the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations
Enforcement and penalties Social landlords are required to carry out checks to ensure that smoke or carbon monoxide alarms are in proper working condition on the day of a new tenancy. Tenants are then responsible for testing the alarms during the tenancy and should contact the landlord if there is a problem. Landlords are required to investigate when they are notifi ed of a defective smoke or CO alarm and repair or replace the device as soon as possible. The enforcement of carbon
Andy Speake Aico national technical manager
Landlords are required to
investigate when they are notified of a defective CO alarm and repair or replace the device as soon as possible
for seven years or more • Student halls of residence • Hostels • Care homes and hospitals Note: BS EN 50292:2018 provides
guidance for the installation of CO alarms in the above property types.
Optimal protection All CO alarms installed must comply with BS EN 50291-1 to ensure optimal protection. To meet requirements, both battery and mains-powered alarms are permitted for use within properties. Our Ei3018 Carbon Monoxide Alarm (pictured) has a high-performance electrochemical sensor that is individually calibrated and tested to ensure complete accuracy. Guidance suggests that installers
follow the instructions of the alarm manufacturer when deciding where to place a carbon monoxide alarm. The best place to put a CO alarm would be at head height and 1-3 meters away from the fuel-burning source.
monoxide legislation is the responsibility of the tenant’s immediate landlord. Our HomeLINK Connected Home Solution allows landlords to monitor devices through the HomeLINK Portal. Part of the Connected Home Solution, the Ei1000G Gateway compiles data from smoke, carbon monoxide and heat alarms, and reports onto the online Portal. Reporting events such as CO levels, mains absent faults, head removed and end of life, the Connected Home Solution increases effi ciency for social landlords, as real-time alarm performance can be viewed online. Local housing authorities must
serve a remedial notice where they have reason to believe that a landlord has failed to or not taken all reasonable steps to comply with the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Regulations. If a landlord fails to comply with the terms of the notice within 28 days, the authority must step in to ensure tenants are protected by working alarms. Failure to comply with this legislation will also attract fi nes of up to £5,000 per breach.
Landlord responsibility To conclude, enforcement of carbon monoxide legislation is the responsibility of landlords, although tenants should frequently test the alarms during the tenancy. A CO alarm must be installed in every room containing an appliance that burns or can burn fuel and is used as living accommodation. Landlords who fail to comply with these regulations risk receiving large fi nes for every breach of legislation. ◼
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