UK Government to review policy on Smoke and Carbon Monoxide

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No. 034/14
Ref C1/14
Date: 14 January 2014

To: All Branches

Dear Colleagues,

UK Government to review policy on Smoke and Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarms & Scotland's new law making Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarms Compulsory

Last month the Government announced a welcomed review on the condition of homes in the private rented sector which will consider if new rules are needed on installing smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. The review starting next month was confirmed by ministers on 20th November 2013.

Rules already in place require landlords to keep homes safe and habitable for their tenants across a wide range of factors including regular gas boiler checks and high standards for quality of repairs, levels of ventilation and lighting and minimising damp. The numbers of house fires and injuries has fallen.

88% of homes are now fitted with smoke alarms across the country, helped by the government’s ‘fire kills’ campaign.

A discussion paper will be published next month seeking the views of the housing sector and other interested parties on whether the system of regulation for private rented homes ensures adequate conditions and safety, or whether it could be improved or simplified, including the technical rules and issues around installing carbon monoxide and smoke alarms.

An amendment to the Energy Bill made in the House of Lords on 19th November 2013 will give Government the enabling powers to introduce a requirement for carbon monoxide and/or smoke alarms in private rented homes, although these will only be used if supported by the review which will consider the technical issues and current overlapping regulatory regimes.

A Ministerial statement said that government will now take forward a wide ranging and fundamental review into property conditions in the private rented sector, considering very carefully the case for requiring landlords to install carbon monoxide alarms and/or smoke alarms in their properties. Government will also engage widely with interested organisations including landlord associations, housing charities, tenant groups and professional bodies.

In addition to considering whether smoke and carbon monoxide alarms should be required in privately rented housing, the review will also look at the minimum standards tenants should expect when renting a property.

In Scotland, a new law making carbon monoxide (CO) alarms compulsory in Scottish properties to save lives in the fight against the “silent killer” came into force on 1st October 2013. New Building Regulations in Scotland will mean all new-build properties must be fitted with CO alarms. The law will also require houses, hotels, guest houses and care homes to have an alarm installed at the same time as a new boiler or gas appliance. The move aims to prevent deaths from the deadly gas, known as “the silent killer” because it cannot be seen, heard, smelt or tasted. Cases are commonly caused by faulty or badly-serviced gas appliances and other fossil fuel-burning systems.
CO poisoning kills at least 50 people every year in the UK and leads to more than 1,100 hospital admissions.
Carbon monoxide poisoning can be deadly but this change in the law, making CO alarms compulsory, will help to save many lives. Building companies, property owners, landlords and gas engineers will all play their part in ensuring that these life-saving alarms are fitted into more homes and hotels across Scotland. We hope the UK Government follows the lead.

At this time of year, people are using their heating, so it is important to remember that gas appliances and flues that have not been properly installed, maintained or ventilated could cause CO poisoning.
 
RoSPA has been working with 'Gas Safe' to send 10,000 families across the UK a free CO detector as part of the Be Gas Safe scheme, and promotes precautions to prevent CO poisoning. Vital information to reduce the risk of CO poisoning include:

Have your gas appliances serviced annually by a gas engineer who is registered with Gas Safe Register 
Use professionals to service any other fossil-fuel burning appliances such as oil or coal burning stoves annually 
Fix carbon monoxide detectors in your home, which can be purchased from most DIY-type stores, and maintain and replace them according to packaging instructions 
Know how to spot the signs of a CO leak, which include suffering prolonged flu-like symptoms, excessive condensation in the room, sooty stains on or near appliances and boiler pilot light flames burning orange instead of blue.

More advice on CO safety can be found at http://www.carbonmonoxidesafety.org.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.

Yours Sincerely
                               
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer