Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week: What you need to know
This week marks Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week (17-23 November), highlighting the risks and the importance of preventative safety measures.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is colourless, odourless and tasteless, making it impossible to detect without proper equipment. Carbon monoxide poisoning has caused as many as 40 fatalities and more than 4,000 A&E admissions in a year across England and Wales , yet is entirely preventable with the right precautions and regular safety checks.
What causes carbon monoxide poisoning?
CO is produced when fuels such as gas, oil, coal and wood don't burn completely.
Common sources in rental properties include faulty boilers, gas fires, cookers and other fuel-burning appliances.
Poor ventilation and blocked flues can increase the risk of CO build-up.
Your responsibilities as a landlord
You must install carbon monoxide alarms in any room containing a fuel burning appliance in rental homes in England and Wales.
In England, if the only fuel burning appliance is a gas cooker, a carbon monoxide alarm is not required – in Wales, you must still have an alarm even if the gas cooker is the only fuel-burning appliance. Around annual gas safety checks on all gas appliances and flues, there is a unified approach, with a Gas Safe registered engineer, who will provide you with a Gas Safety Certificate (CP12), needing to perform the task in England and Wales.
If tenants report a faulty alarm, you must take immediate action to repair or replace it.
Q&A: Common questions when it comes to carbon monoxide
What are the warning signs?
A yellow or orange flame instead of crisp blue flames in gas appliances, soot or staining around appliances, pilot lights that frequently go out, and excessive condensation in rooms with fuel-burning appliances are all warning signs.
If you or your tenants spot any of these arrange an immediate inspection by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Of course, alarms - a legal requirement – should alert you to the presence of carbon monoxide.
What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?
Early symptoms include
- headaches,
- dizziness,
- nausea,
- tiredness,
- confusion and
- stomach pain.
More severe exposure can cause breathlessness, collapse and loss of consciousness.
It is not uncommon for symptoms to improve when the person leaves the property and return when they come back.
Should the CO alarm to sound your tenants should immediately leave the property.
You should advise tenants to seek immediate medical attention if they suspect CO poisoning and to call the Gas Emergency Services on 0800 111 999 if they smell gas or are concerned about gas safety.
Where can I get support when it comes to gas safety?
Our members' guide provides comprehensive information on gas safety obligations and our Property Standards eLearning course covers gas safety requirements in detail.
For help managing your compliance obligations, Safe2 – part of the NRLA family – is a digital platform that manages safety certifications, sends renewal alerts and organises inspections. NRLA members receive exclusive discounts at nrla.org.uk/safe2
