Landlords and homeowners need to take action now to meet new rules for concealed flues serving gas boilers, including fitting a carbon monoxide alarm if one is not present, as an interim measure.
The use of fan-flued gas appliances since the mid-1990s has enabled freedom in positioning boilers away from external walls. However, many flues hidden in wall and ceiling voids could not be fully inspected as part of mandatory inspections by gas engineers. Defects could result in carbon monoxide entering homes, resulting in death or injury from CO poisoning.

Now, inspection hatches must be installed by the end of 2012 to enable full inspection. But in the meantime, gas engineers are required to check that there is an appropriate audible CO alarm present or, if not, fit one. Of course, it makes sense for landlords and residential homes to fit CO alarms - but concealed flues present a particular risk now. Bearing in mind the unknown dangers involved here, it is essential that CO alarms work effectively throughout their design lives. The Health and Safety Executive recommends that: 'Before purchasing a CO alarm, always ensure it complies with British Standard EN 50291 and carries a British or European approval mark, such as a Kitemark.' This third party approval is essential, just a CE mark is not enough to demonstrate consistent performance, so ensuring occupant safety and avoiding the legal implications of supplying or fitting unapproved alarms.

It is also important to select products that use electrochemical technology with a stable performance over time, proven by independent and accredited laboratories. Manufacturers that produce their own CO cells - the key component - rather than buying them in, can apply tighter quality controls. For example, every Kidde sensor is tested under CO and all products must pass through several key quality testing 'gates' before becoming available for sale. Kidde Fyrnetics' latest range of battery-powered models offers simple, self-installation without the need for a professional electrician. For new buildings and major refurbishment or upgrade, the latest Kidde Fyrnetics mains powered CO alarms are ideal, with sealed-in, rechargeable lithium cells for back-up, preventing tenant access. They can also be interlinked and also used as part of Kidde Fyrnetics's unique 'Smart Interconnect' system for whole-house fire and CO protection, in conjunction with the company's hard-wired smoke and heat alarms. Where hard-wiring is not viable, battery powered units are also available, as well as plug-in mains CO alarms for transferable protection.

For more information on fire and CO safety visit: www.smoke-alarms.co.uk