Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a silent killer, you can’t see it, smell it or taste it. This is why having Carbon Monoxide alarms installed throughout a property is so important. The British Standard BS EN 50292:2013 offers recommendations on the installation and maintenance of Carbon Monoxide alarms.
The standard states that a Carbon Monoxide alarm should be fitted in:
This means that a Carbon Monoxide leak can be detected from all the potential sources and heard throughout the property.
Rooms with a flueless or open-flued appliances such as an open fire, gas cooker or portable heater – these would leak carbon monoxide directly into the room producing the greatest risk
Rooms where the occupants spend the most time – this is to ensure that they are protected to any carbon monoxide exposure in these areas and also hear the alarm as soon as possible
You should look for a product that has been manufactured and approved (e.g. Kitemarked) to standards BS EN 50291-1:2010 (for domestic premises) and/or BS EN 50291-2:2010 (for caravans and boats). These standards show that the alarms have been extensively tested to ensure their quality including sensor reaction times, minimum alarm sound levels and temperature resistance.
If you would like more advice on how to site alarms effectively throughout the property visit our page on Alarm Siting or if you would like more information on Standards and Regulations or guidance for a property outside of these guidelines please contact our Technical Team – technical@aico.co.uk.
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