New Building Regulations for Northern Ireland, which take effect on 31 October 2012 call for carbon monoxide (CO) alarms to be installed alongside new or replacement combustion appliances in all homes irrespective of fuel type.
The new Northern Ireland Building Regulations Part L Technical Booklet requires a CO alarm to be fitted in the same room as any combustion appliance not designed solely for cooking, or just outside boiler rooms. Alarms should comply with BS EN 50291 and can be either hard-wired mains powered, or battery operated, but only where this is designed to operate for the whole working life of the alarm.

This new requirement contrasts with the 2010 Part J Approved Document, for England and Wales, which applies only to fixed solid fuel heating appliances. In Scottish Standards there is a complete absence of CO alarm requirement. As the death toll from CO poisoning from different types of appliances increases, the pressure continues for mandatory CO alarms in all new homes and with replacement combustion appliances.

Kidde Fyrnetics claims that its TenYCO range of self-contained, battery CO alarms is the first with a full 10-year guarantee. Battery specification is critical to the whole-life performance demanded by the latest requirements and TenYCO is powered by ultra long-life lithium batteries.

For new buildings and major refurbishment or upgrade, Kidde Fyrnetics says that mains powered CO alarms are ideal, with sealed-in, rechargeable lithium cells for back-up, preventing tenant access. They can be interlinked and also used as part of its 'Smart Interconnect' system for whole-house fire and CO protection, in conjunction with its hard-wired smoke and heat alarms.

It is essential that CO alarms work effectively throughout their design lives and 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, Kidde Fyrnetics says. 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.