Carbon Monoxide Awareness
Stay protected. Fit a Carbon Monoxide Alarm.
Carbon Monoxide is a colourless, odourless, tasteless, poisonous gas that can kill very quickly.
What causes Carbon Monoxide to leak?
Carbon Monoxide is produced when fuels such as gas, oil, coal and wood do not burn fully; it can also be produced by burning charcoal, running cars and the smoke from cigarettes also produce Carbon Monoxide gas.
Gas, oil, coal and wood are sources of fuel used in many household appliances, such as boilers, gas fires, central heating systems, water heaters, cookers and open fires. Appliances that are incorrectly installed, have inadequate ventilation or are poorly maintained are the most common causes of Carbon Monoxide exposure.
Would you know the 6 symptoms of Carbon Monoxide poisoning?
There are around 60 deaths from accidental Carbon Monoxide poisoning every year in England and Wales.
The symptoms of Carbon Monxide poisoning vary depending on the level of exposure and are not always obvious as they are similar to other illnesses such as flu or food poisoning.
The most common symptoms include:
- Unconciousness
- Collapse
- Dizziness
- Breathlessness
- Headache
- Nausea
The symptoms will worsen with prolonged exposure to Carbon Monoxide.
Carbon Monoxide Building Regulations
Building regulations for siting of Carbon Monoxide alarms within a property differs in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
If you would like more advice on how to site alarms effectively and correctly throughout a property, visit our technical support page or contact our expert team at technical@aico.co.uk
England and Wales – Document J
Requires a BS EN 50291 Kitemarked Carbon Monoxide alarm to be fitted when any new or replacement solid-fuel burning appliance is installed, such as wood burners or open fires etc.
Carbon Monoxide alarms should be fitted in the room where the appliance has been installed.
Alarms can be mains or battery powered. If the alarm is battery powered, then the battery should last for the life of the alarm.
Scotland – Technical Handbook
Requires a BS EN 50291 Kitemarked Carbon Monoxide alarm to be fitted when any new or replacement fuel burning appliance is installed (except for cookers). This covers any fuel burning appliance, including those that burn gas, oil, coal and wood.
Alarms can be mains or battery powered. If the alarm is battery powered, then the battery should last for the life of the alarm.
Carbon Monoxide alarms should be fitted in:
- The room with the appliance or, if it is an enclosed boiler, just outside the enclosure.
- Any room that has a flue running through it.
Northern Ireland – Technical Booklet L
Requires a BS EN 50291 Kitemarked Carbon Monoxide alarm to be fitted when any new or replacement fuel burning appliance is installed (except for cookers). This covers any fuel burning appliance, including those that burn gas, oil, coal and wood.
Alarms can be mains or battery powered. If the alarm is battery powered, then the battery should last for the life of the alarm.
Carbon Monoxide alarms should be fitted in the room with the appliance or, if it is an enclosed boiler, just outside the enclosure.
Why would you risk it?
To keep your household safe from Carbon Monoxide exposure, ensure to do the following:
- Test your detectors at least once a month
- Make sure all ventilation areas are clear
- Service your cookers, heaters and boilers
- Schedule an annual maintenance check
AudioLINK+ Technology
Monitor Carbon Monoxide in real-time with AudioLINK+
It is possible to have some background Carbon Monoxide in your home without it being enough to trigger an alarm.
The best way to find this out is to do an AudioLINK+ Data Extraction Report from any Aico Carbon Monoxide alarm via the AudioLINK+ app on your smartphone.
AudioLINK+ can also tell you things such as the sensor status and battery life.
Carbon Monoxide: Alarms Save Lives
Aico are proud supporters of the Carbon Monoxide: Alarms Save Lives campaign. Raising awareness of the rules and risks around carbon monoxide.
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