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FIRE & SAFETY
It’s estimated there are around 50 deaths due to accidental carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning throughout England and Wales each year. As the winter season quickly approaches and individuals increase their use of solid fuel burning appliances, Steve Boggis, Trade Business Unit Director for FireAngel, discusses how wholesalers can support electrical contractors in ensuring residential properties are adequately protected against CO.
PROPERLY PROTECTED
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larms provide the only method of detecting the presence of CO, due to the poisonous gas being tasteless, odourless and colourless. However, in 2018, the English Housing Survey evidenced only 42% of dwellings had a CO alarm, with owner-occupied and social rented homes more likely to have a CO alarm installed than private rental sector dwellings. Due to the impact of COVID-19, the installation of a CO alarm throughout all types of residential properties is more important than ever, as many individuals delayed the annual servicing of their appliances, including boilers. Here are the key considerations wholesalers should address when recommending CO alarms for installation throughout residential properties this winter season: Placement In accordance with European Standard EN 50292, CO alarms should be fitted in the same room as fuel-burning appliances,
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such as an open fire, gas cooker or boiler, and can be either wall or ceiling mounted. It is advised that additional alarms should be located in bedrooms relatively close to the breathing zone of the occupants, whilst alarms should also be installed in any room where there is a flue running through it. For ceiling mounted installations, the alarms should be at least 300mm away from any wall. For wall mounted alarms, they should be at least 150mm from the ceiling and above the height of any door or window. For both types of installations, the alarms should be between one and three metres away from the potential source of CO, to ensure the highest standards of detection. CO alarms should not be installed within enclosed spaces, directly above sinks or next to a source of ventilation, such as a door, window, extractor fan or air vent. It is also important to ensure the alarm is not installed in a location where the temperature may exceed 40˚C or drop below -10˚C.
