Carbon Monoxide
2nd Nov 2010

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is often referred to as ‘the silent killer’. It is a natural product of combustion during the burning of any fossil fuel (gas, coal, oil, wood etc.).

Levels of CO can increase dramatically from faulty appliances or blocked flues, with symptoms often being mistaken for flu. Effects range from headache, nausea & sickness to death. Depending on concentration levels, death could occur after several weeks, or a little as 2 hours exposure.

 

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is often referred to as ‘the silent killer’. It is a natural product of combustion during the burning of any fossil fuel (gas, coal, oil, wood etc.).

Levels of CO can increase dramatically from faulty appliances or blocked flues, with symptoms often being mistaken for flu. Effects range from headache, nausea & sickness to death. Depending on concentration levels, death could occur after several weeks, or as little as 2 hours exposure.

Carbon Monoxide is odourless, colourless and tasteless.

Indications that an appliance is faulty & danger signs to look for are:

  • Stains, soot or discolouring around a gas fire or at the top of a water heater indicating that the flue or chimney is blocked in which case carbon monoxide can build up in the room.
  • A yellow or orange flame on a gas fire or water heater.
  • By far the most effective indication of a potentially lethal combustion problem would be the activation of a properly installed, audible Carbon Monoxide detector.

The NLA strongly recommends the fitting of Carbon Monoxide alarms in properties with gas, oil or solid fuel appliances. Suitable alarms are available from the NLA online shop.

In England, it has been a requirement since 1st October 2015 for a carbon monoxide alarm to be fitted in every room where there is a solid fuel burning appliance (e.g. wood burning stove/heater). The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015 require these to be fitted regardless of when the tenancy commenced. They must be checked to ensure each alarm is in proper working order on the day the tenancy begins if it is a new tenancy.

In Scotland, it has been a requirement since December 2015 for CO alarms with an integrated long life battery to be fitted in all rooms in privately rented properties in Scotland where there is a fixed combustion appliance of any kind (with the exception of appliances ued exclusively for cooking). Landlords must fit these regardless of when the tenancy commenced and must be in working order at the start of all tenancies. This change to the law is by way of an amendment to the Housing (Scotland) Act to the Repairing Standard.