Carbon Monoxide – Building Regulations

Across the UK there are different carbon monoxide Building Regulations, with England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland all drawing from different documents and requiring different levels of protection.

England and Wales – Building Regulations Document J

These Regulations require a BS EN 50291 kitemarked carbon monoxide alarm to be fitted when any new or replacement solid-fuel appliance is installed, such as wood burners or open fires.

The carbon monoxide alarms should be fitted in the same room as the appliance. Alarms can be mains or battery powered. If the alarm is battery powered then the battery should last for the life of the alarm.

Scotland – Technical Handbook 2

The Scottish Technical Handbook requires a BS EN 50291 kitemarked carbon monoxide alarm to be fitted when any new or replacement fixed combustion appliance is installed (except cookers). This covers any fuel-burning appliance, including those that burn gas, oil, coal or wood.

Alarms should be fitted in:

  • The room with the appliance or, if it is an enclosed boiler, just outside the enclosure
  • Any room that has a flue running through it

Alarms can be mains or battery powered, but if the alarm is battery powered the battery should last for the life of the alarm, rather than being replaceable.

 

Northern Ireland – Technical Booklet L

The Technical Booklet L insists a BS EN 50291 kitemarked carbon monoxide alarm be fitted when any new or replacement combustion appliance is installed (except cookers). This covers any fuel-burning appliance, including those that burn gas, oil, coal or wood.

Alarms should be fitted in:

  • The room with the appliance or, if it is an enclosed boiler, just outside the enclosure
  • Any room that has a flue running through it

Alarms can be mains or battery powered, but if the alarm is battery powered the battery should last for the life of the alarm.

 

If you would like more information on the standards and regulations for a property outside of these guidelines please contact your Building Control Officer through your local Planning Authority.

*Please note: British Standard 5839-6 takes the form of guidance and recommendations. It should not be quoted as if it were a specification and particular care should be taken to ensure that claims of compliance are not misleading. Any user claiming compliance with this British Standard is expected to be able to justify any course of action that deviates from its recommendations. For more information or to read the standard in full, please visit the British Standards website