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What is a Carbon Monoxide Alarm?
A Carbon Monoxide Alarm or a CO Alarm is a device that is designed to detect the presence of carbon monoxide (CO) gas in the air.
Carbon monoxide detectors are commonly used in homes, offices and other buildings to alert people to the presence of carbon monoxide gas. They are typically small, portable devices that can be placed on a wall, ceiling or tabletop. Some Carbon monoxide detectors are battery-operated, while others are hardwired to the electrical installation.
When a Carbon Monoxide alarm senses a high level of carbon monoxide in the atmosphere, it will sound an alarm to alert people to the danger.
What is Carbon Monoxide?
When inhaled, carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless and tasteless gas that is toxic to humans and animals. It is created as a result of the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels such as natural gas, propane, oil, coal, and wood.
Appliances and equipment that burn fuel, such as gas boilers, gas fires, central heating systems, water heaters, cookers and open fires can emit carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide can be released into the air if these appliances are not working properly or are not properly ventilated.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause a variety of symptoms, including headache, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, and chest pain. It is lethal in high concentrations. It is especially dangerous because it has no smell, taste, or colour, making it difficult to detect.
To avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, have appliances and equipment that burn fuel serviced and checked on a regular basis by a qualified professional. Additionally, working carbon monoxide detectors in the home are required to alert occupants to the presence of the gas.
It is critical to recognise the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning and to act quickly if you suspect you or someone else has been exposed to the gas. This can include getting some fresh air and, if necessary, seeking medical attention.
What type of Carbon Monoxide detector should be installed?
The regulations do not specify the type of alarms that should be installed (such as mains powered (‘hard wired’) or battery powered).
Landlords should make an informed decision and select the type of carbon monoxide alarms based on the needs of their building and tenants, ensuring that those alarms meet British Standards BS 50291. When choosing battery-powered alarms, alarms with ‘sealed for life’ batteries are preferable to alarms with replaceable batteries.
A Battery operated CO Alarm can be fitted by landlords and homeowners using basic tools whilst a mains wired CO alarm requires specialist tools and equipment and should be fitted by a qualified electrician. CO alarms should be tested after each new installation.
What does installation of Carbon Monoxide Detectors include?
The installation of carbon monoxide detectors typically includes the following steps:
- Initial Assessment: The installer will first assess the property to determine the best locations for the detectors. This usually includes areas near fuel-burning appliances, each bedroom, and each level of the home
- The Installation: The installer will then mount the detectors in the chosen locations. This could involve attaching them to the wall or ceiling, or simply placing them on a shelf, depending on the type of detector. Fo mains wired CO alarms the wiring will be carried out as required
- Testing: Once installed, the detectors will be tested to ensure they are working correctly. This usually involves pressing a ‘test’ button on the detector.
- Instruction: The installer will provide instructions on how to maintain and test the detectors regularly, and what to do if the alarm sounds.
What are the benefits of 10 year carbon monoxide (CO) alarms?
A 10 year Carbon Monoxide alarm (long life Carbon Monoxide alarm) provides ongoing protection against CO poisoning, which can occur when a person is exposed to high levels of CO in the air. The benefits include:
- Long-lasting protection: A 10 year Carbon Monoxide alarm includes a built-in, long-life battery that lasts the entire 10-year lifespan of the alarm, eliminating the need to replace batteries or deal with power outages.
- Reduced maintenance: Because a 10 year Carbon Monoxide alarm is designed to last for 10 years, there is a less likelihood for faults or needing to be replaced. The Carbon Monoxide alarm however should be tested on a monthly basis as per the regulations.
- Simple installation: Many 10 year CO alarms are designed to be simple to install, requiring no wiring or special tools.
- Cost-effective: 10 year CO alarms are a long-term cost-effective solution because they do not require frequent replacement or battery changes.
It is important to note that even with a 10 year CO alarm, gas appliances and equipment must be serviced and checked on a regular basis by a qualified professional to reduce the risk of monoxide poisoning.
Where should carbon monoxide alarms be installed?
The regulations make no mention of where the alarms should be installed.
Every room used as living accommodation that contains a fixed combustion appliance should have a carbon monoxide alarm installed (excluding gas cookers).
When installing the alarms, landlords should follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Carbon monoxide alarms, on the other hand, should be placed at head height, on a wall or shelf, approximately 1-3 metres away from a potential source of carbon monoxide.
Your local fire and rescue authority may be able to offer additional installation advice, or you can download fire safety information from www.gov.uk/firekills.
How much does it cost to install CO detectors ?
Our basic service starts from £55 plus VAT for a single battery operated CO alarm. Contact us today to get a free quote for hard wired, interlinked and combined CO detectors.
What other services do you provide?
Heat Detectors:
Installation of wires, mains and interlinked heat detectors where a smoke alarm isn’t suitable. Heat detectors are important equipment for detecting fires and ensuring safety. As the name suggests, the devices sense the temperature of a room or area in order to detect fires. Heat detectors work on a similar principle used by smoke detectors, by tracking the temperature instead of smoke.
Smoke Alarm:
Installation of mains wired and interlinked smoke alarms, for homes, apartments, HMOs and businesses. Smoke alarms are a legal requirement for rental properties but a must have for all homes and businesses to protect lives
Gas Appliance Installation:
Installing and servicing a variety of water heating and cooking appliances. Including pipework and all associated works
Gas Leak Repair:
Locating and repairing gas leaks from your gas pipework or gas appliances.
Boiler Installation:
We provide a variety of Gas Boiler installations including Heat Only, System Boilers and Combi Boilers. We are experienced and registered installers of all major brands such as Idea, Baxi, Main, Vaillant, Keston and many more.
Boiler Servicing:
An annual boiler service is carrying out a series of checks and cleaning to the boiler in order to maintain and increase the life of a boiler. It is also a requirement by the manufacturer to honour any boiler guarantees
Gas Safety Certificate:
A certificate issued after inspection and testing of the complete gas installation within a property, including the gas appliances. The installation is checked for both correct operation and safety. In the UK a Gas Safety Certificate is a legal requirement to rent a property and needs to be renewed every 12 months.
EICR:
Electrical Installation Condition Report formerly known as periodic Inspection Report is an certificate outlining the condition of the electrical installation within a property and any potential or existing hazards. An EICR is a legal requirement for rental properties in the UK and maybe required if you are selling your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
I have fitted a Carbon Monoxide Alarm, do I still need to get a Gas Safety Check?
CO alarms are a valuable secondary safety measure, but they should NOT be viewed as a replacement for the installation and maintenance of gas equipment by a Gas Safe-registered engineer. If you choose to purchase a carbon monoxide detector, make sure it complies with current safety standards (BS EN 50291)and bears the Kitemark.
What are my responsibilities as a landlord?
As a landlord you are required to install a CO detector in every room with a fuel burning appliance, except a gas cooker. Whilst the law does not specify if these alarms should be fixed or mains wired, it is best practice to have a mains wired CO alarm installed and fixed (ideally to the ceiling and approximately 1-2 metres away from the appliance). Portable CO detectors can often be mislaid or covered by other materials reducing their ability to detect CO.
How do CO detectors work?
CO detectors typically detect the presence of CO using one of two technologies: electrochemical sensors or metal oxide semiconductors. Electrochemical sensors detect CO through a chemical reaction, whereas metal oxide semiconductors detect the gas through a change in electrical resistance.
Where should CO alarms be installed in my home?
CO alarms should be installed centrally on each level of the home, near sleeping areas, and in any room with a fuel-burning appliance or an attached garage.
How frequently should I check my CO detector?
It is recommended that your CO detector be tested at least once a month and that the batteries be changed at least once a year. It’s also a good idea to read the manufacturer’s instructions for specific testing and maintenance advice.
What should I do if my CO alarm goes off?
If your CO detector sounds an alarm, you should leave your home immediately and contact emergency services. Do not try to locate the source of the leak or turn off any gas appliances.
How long will a CO detector last?
CO detectors typically have a lifespan of 5-7 years. It is critical to check the manufacturer’s instructions or the device itself for the specific lifespan of your CO detector and to replace it when it reaches the end of its life.
Can CO alarms be installed in commercial buildings?
CO alarms can be used in commercial buildings. It is critical to check local regulations and have the CO detectors installed and maintained by a qualified professional.
Are there different types of CO detectors?
Yes, there are various types of CO detectors on the market, including battery-powered detectors, plug-in detectors, and hard-wired detectors. Some detectors also have digital displays, voice warnings, and remote controls.
Can I get a combined smoke alarm and a CO alarm?
Manufacturers of CO alarms and Smoke alarms now offer single standalone units that provide both features. Eg. Google Nest – Smoke Alarm and carbon Monoxide Detector
Can I connect CO detectors to my home security system?
Some CO detectors can be linked to a home security system and, if CO is detected, will sound an alarm. It is critical to read the manufacturer’s instructions to determine whether your specific CO detector is compatible with your security system.
Is it necessary to install CO detectors on each level of my home?
Yes, a CO detector is recommended on every level of your home, near sleeping areas, and in any room with a fuel-burning appliance or an attached garage.
What is the distinction between a CO alarm and a smoke detector?
A CO alarm detects the presence of carbon monoxide in the air, whereas a smoke detector detects the presence of smoke. Both types of detectors are useful for home security, but they serve different functions.
How can I lower my home’s risk of CO poisoning?
You can reduce your risk of CO poisoning by having fuel-burning appliances and equipment serviced and checked on a regular basis by a qualified professional, ensuring proper ventilation in your home, and installing CO detectors on every level of your home.
Is there anything special to consider when installing CO detectors in mobile homes?
Mobile homes may have special ventilation systems and appliances that increase the risk of CO buildup. It is critical to check local codes and have a qualified professional instal and maintain CO detectors in mobile homes.
What should I do if I believe I have CO poisoning?
If you suspect CO poisoning, you should leave your home immediately and call 911. Do not try to locate the source of the leak or turn off any gas appliances.
What are the rules regarding CO detectors in rental properties?
CO detector regulations in rental properties differ by location. It is critical to check local regulations and have CO detectors installed and maintained by a qualified professional in rental properties.
When should I change my CO alarm?
It is recommended that you replace your CO alarm every 5-7 years, or as directed by the manufacturer. It is also important to take a note of the expiry dates displayed on the alarm
Can CO detectors be used alongside a gas safety check?
To ensure complete protection against CO poisoning, CO detectors should be used in conjunction with a gas safety check.
Can CO detectors be used in conjunction with gas appliances?
Yes, CO detectors can be used in conjunction with gas appliances like boilers, cookers, and ovens.
How do I know if my CO detector is functioning properly?
It is recommended that your CO detector be tested at least once a month and that the batteries be changed at least once a year. Specific testing and maintenance recommendations should be found in the manufacturer’s instructions.
Are there any special considerations for CO detectors used at high altitudes?
At high altitudes, atmospheric conditions may differ, affecting the performance of CO detectors. In high-altitude locations, it is critical to consult local regulations and have a qualified professional install and maintain CO detectors.
Can CO alarms be used outdoors?
CO alarms should not be used outside because CO is not commonly found in outdoor air.
Is there anything special to consider when using CO detectors in humid environments?
CO detectors can perform poorly in humid environments. In humid environments. Moisture from bath and shower taps can collect around the sensors of the monoxide detector and make it ineffective
What is the deadline for landlords to comply with carbon monoxide alarm regulations?
The new requirements will go into effect on October 1, 2022. Landlords are expected to comply with the regulations beginning on that date.
I’m a landlord, and my tenant won’t let me in to install a CO alarm.
The existing regulations state unequivocally that landlords must take all reasonable steps to comply with a remedial notice but are not required to go to court in order to comply. Landlords must be able to show that they have taken all reasonable steps to comply with Local Authorities.
Landlords should try to understand why tenants are unable or unwilling to provide access and collaborate with them to find a solution.
Do CO alarms and emergency lighting need to be interlinked?
While CO alarms and emergency lighting are both important safety measures, they serve different functions and are rarely linked. CO alarms should be installed centrally on each level of the home, near sleeping areas, and in any room with a fuel-burning appliance or an attached garage. To ensure that people can safely evacuate the building in the event of an emergency, emergency lights should be installed in key areas such as exits, stairwells, and hallways.
What if a landlord does not follow the new CO alarm regulations?
When a landlord violates the law, the local housing authority may issue a remedial notice. Failure to comply with each remedial notice can result in a £5,000 fine. Instead of being assessed per landlord or property, fines will be assessed per violation.
Is replacing a battery considered a repair? Who is in charge of changing the batteries?
Any faulty alarms must be repaired or replaced by the landlord.
If tenants discover that their alarms are not working properly during their tenancy, they should arrange for the batteries to be replaced.
If the alarm does not work after replacing the batteries, or if tenants are unable to replace the batteries themselves, they should notify the appropriate landlord.
How should a tenant test their alarms to ensure they are operational?
Testing smoke and carbon monoxide alarms does not require specialised skills or knowledge and should be simple for tenants to perform.
Landlords should consider giving residents a demonstration and/or instructions to help them understand how and when to test their smoke alarms to ensure they are in working order. Landlords should test alarms according to the manufacturer’s instructions and consider sharing these instructions with tenants to encourage a monthly testing session. Safelinks provide a free monthly online testing reminder service
What should tenants do if their alarm stops working?
If tenants discover that their alarms are not working properly during their tenancy, they should arrange for the batteries to be replaced.
If the alarm does not work after replacing the batteries, or if tenants are unable to replace the batteries themselves, they have rights to notify the appropriate landlord.
Is it necessary for people with disabilities to have specialised CO alarms?
Landlords should make an informed decision and select the best alarms for their properties and tenants, taking into account their residents’ specific circumstances.
For residents who are deaf or hard of hearing, specialist smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms that alert via vibration or flashing lights (rather than sound alerts) may be required.
Landlords should/must think about their responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010.
Should CO alarms be tested at the beginning of a tenancy?
If it is a new tenancy, the regulations require that checks be made by or on behalf of the landlord to ensure that each prescribed alarm is in proper working order on the day the tenancy begins.
How should landlords show that they tested CO alarms and smoke alarms at the start of a tenancy?
Landlords are responsible for keeping track of when alarms are tested.
The local housing authority must determine whether the evidence provided proves that the landlord complied with the regulations.
If the landlord goes through the inventory on the first day of the tenancy, one possible solution is for the landlord to have the tenant sign the inventory to record that the required alarms have been tested by the landlord and the tenant is satisfied they are in working order.
What if my tenants forget to test the CO alarm?
As a landlord, it’s your responsibility to ensure that carbon monoxide (CO) alarms are installed in your rental properties and that they are in proper working order. However, tenants also have a role to play in maintaining their safety.
If your tenants forget to test the CO alarm, it could potentially put them at risk. Regular testing is crucial to ensure the alarm is functioning correctly and can effectively alert them to the presence of carbon monoxide.
To prevent this from happening, you can:
- Educate Your Tenants: Make sure your tenants understand the importance of regularly testing the CO alarm. Explain how to do it and how often it should be done.
- Send Reminders: Consider sending your tenants regular reminders to test the CO alarm. This could be done via email, text message, or a note in a regular communication.
- Schedule Regular Inspections: As a landlord, you can schedule regular property inspections to check the CO alarm among other things. This can help ensure that the alarm is working properly and that your tenants are safe.
Remember, while tenants should ideally test the CO alarm regularly, the ultimate responsibility for ensuring the safety of the rental property lies with the landlord.