Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarms

Carbon monoxide (CO) is often dubbed as “the silent killer” due to it being a colourless, tasteless, odourless, and non-irritating gas that is slightly less dense than air and can be deadly if inhaled.

What is carbon monoxide?

Carbon monoxide is a byproduct of incomplete combustion of fuels containing carbon, such as gasoline, wood, oil, kerosene, or charcoal. Carbon monoxide is produced by many combustion sources, such as motor vehicles (which is a major contributing factor), power plants, wildfires, incinerators, and gas appliances. Carbon monoxide is produced when fuels burn without sufficient oxygen.

Am I at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning?

Anyone that uses appliances in their homes that burns fuel indoors, such as open fires, log burners and gas burners are vulnerable to carbon monoxide poisoning (particularly if they are incorrectly installed). Starting up barbecues, camping stoves, portable generators, and lawnmower engines in spaces with limited ventilation also puts them at risk.

For smokers, cigarettes are the major source of carbon monoxide.

When breathed in, carbon monoxide enters the blood through the lungs and attaches to the body’s oxygen carrier, haemoglobin and reduces the amount of oxygen carried around the body. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can feel like flu or food poisoning and include:

• Headache
• Vision changes or loss
• Chest pain
• Dizziness
• Confusion or memory loss
• Weakness
• Stomach upset
• Vomiting

Children may be more sensitive to these harmful effects. People who are sleeping or drunk have a higher change of death from carbon monoxide poisoning before they have these symptoms.

What can I do if I have any of these symptoms?

• Stop using all appliances
• Medical attention should be sought as soon as possible
• Anyone who is seriously ill must be moved away from the area and placed in the open air and given pure oxygen, if possible.
• Do not re-enter the property.
• Call the National Gas Emergency Service number, or the Health and Safety Advice Line and wait for further instruction from them.

How can I minimise my risk of carbon monoxide poisoning in my rental property? Is this my landlord’s responsibility?

It is a legal requirement to have CO detectors in rental properties in the UK. As of October 2022, a rental property should have an audible carbon monoxide alarm fitted that meets the British or European Standards (BS Kitemark or EN 50291) in every room used partly or wholly as living accommodation that has as a log burner or open fire that burns solid fuel. Landlords are also responsible for replacing faulty CO detectors. These regulations are enforced by local authorities and landlords who breach them can be fine up to £5000.

Some tenancies are exempt from these regulations, including care homes, student halls, healthcare provision, and properties where the tenant shares a living space with the landlord or their family.

All appliances in the rental property should be regularly serviced by a registered engineer:

• Gas Safe Register for gas appliances
• HETAS for solid fuel appliances
• OFTEC for oil appliances
• Chimneys and flues should be serviced annually by a qualified sweep

It is important that tenants cooperate with contractors servicing the appliances in their homes, as a CO alarm cannot be a life-saving substitute for regular servicing.

Can Proptech play a part with carbon monoxide monitoring and compliancy?

It can! Choosing the right property software can be an overwhelming task today, however, it is important to choose uncomplicated, time efficient and reliable software that works for you and your business – even for those who consider themselves novices to technology. Automation software with reminders ensures that you stay compliant, so you never miss a deadline, and certificate renewals will never be overlooked.

At KPR we understand the demands of the industry and strive to address the issues agents and property owners face. We have our own in-house development team with knowledge on modem technology and methodologies, which keep KPR software current, and always focusing on the next level.

We have our own in-house development team with knowledge on modem technology and methodologies, which keep KPR software current, and always focusing on the next level.

If you would like to speak with us about how we can assist you and your business, feel free to speak with our helpful team today!

0208 542 2333

hello@kpr.global