CO Advice
Carbon Monoxide Alarm Regulations: Are you ready?
FireAngel is proud to support this year's Carbon Monoxide Alarms Save Lives campaign, working together to raise awareness on the importance of protecting against 'The Silent Killer'.
CO Advice
This year, the laws are changing for smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in homes in the UK, meaning that many more domestic properties will be legally required to have such alarms.
To raise awareness of the new rules, FireAngel is delighted to support the Carbon Monoxide Alarms Save Lives campaign, which will run from 11 July to 28 August this year. The campaign is being supported by Britain’s four gas distribution networks: Wales & West Utilities, SGN, Northern Gas Networks, and Cadent. Each week there will be new digital resources to download via the campaign homepage.
The campaign will explain what carbon monoxide is, how to stay safe, and why households need to install carbon monoxide alarms. Carbon monoxide cannot be seen or smelled, making alarms vital. Homes need to have an alarm that can alert occupants to dangerous levels of carbon monoxide to protect them from serious harm or even death.
The change to the law follows years of campaigning by the All-Party Parliamentary Carbon Monoxide Group, which FireAngel is proud to support.
Barry Sheerman MP, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Carbon Monoxide Group says:
“By making carbon monoxide alarms a legal requirement, governments are sending a strong message – carbon monoxide is seriously harmful. If you don’t have an alarm, you need to get one for your home as soon as possible.
“Carbon monoxide poisoning can kill. It can cause harm to our vital organs and is particularly dangerous for pregnant women and children. Please join our campaign to spread the word about carbon monoxide alarms this summer – and make sure your home is protected.”
You can get involved with the campaign too – check out the campaign homepage from 11 July 2022 or drop them an email to sign up for the weekly campaign emails. For help understanding these duties and regulations, or to seek legal advice, please contact Citizens Advice, who provide a free advice service for England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Scotland
Since February 1st, 2022, all Scottish homes are required to have a carbon monoxide alarm in all rooms where there is a fixed combustion appliance (excluding an appliance used solely for cooking) or a flue. In rented properties, landlords are responsible for supplying the alarm. Carbon monoxide alarms must meet the relevant British Standards (EN 50291-1), and must have ‘a sealed battery for the duration of its lifespan’ to prevent tampering or the need for battery changes.
England
The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022 will come into force on October 1st, 2022, in England following debate in the Second Committee for Delegated Legislation on June 20th and approval in the House of Commons on June 21st. These changes will require carbon monoxide alarms to be installed in all rented accommodation and new build properties where there is a fixed combustion appliance, excluding gas cookers. Carbon monoxide alarms are also required when a fixed combustion appliance (excluding gas cookers) is first installed in any home. Both private and social sector landlords will have a duty to repair or replace alarms, once informed that they are faulty.
Wales
The Welsh Government recently announced that it will bring forward changes from December 2022 1st (delayed from July 15th, 2022) with the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016, which under the regulations for Fitness for human habitation (FFHH) will require landlords to ensure working carbon monoxide detectors are fitted in their properties where there is any gas appliance, an oil-fired combustion appliance or a solid fuel burning combustion appliance.
Northern Ireland
Carbon monoxide alarms are a mandatory requirement for all homes where a new fossil fuel appliance is installed in Northern Ireland, after a change to The Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 came into operation on 31 October 2012. The Private Tenancies Act, which requires carbon monoxide alarms to be installed in privately rented homes and places a duty on landlords to repair them, received Royal Assent on 27 April 2022.
FireAngel is proud to support the Carbon Monoxide Alarms Save Lives campaign once again, helping to raise awareness about the silent killer. Make sure your family is protected with an audible CO alarm or take a look at FireAngel’s NEW range of advanced CO alarms.
