- Self-testing carbon monoxide alarm
- Remote monitoring of carbon monoxide escape, low battery or tampering of alarm
National Grid has enlisted the help of Lancaster University to trial a new intelligent carbon monoxide alarm within student accommodation managed by the university. 200 new alarms have been installed in student houses as part of a six month trial to test the alarms that have wireless connectivity.
The advantage of the intelligent alarm is that it is monitored remotely. If an alarm is triggered by a carbon monoxide escape, a battery issue or someone tampering with the device, a text will be sent to the university’s maintenance manager so that they can investigate the fault. The new system also provides the manager access to a web site that gives them a view of the results of all their properties by individual address and results of the weekly testing of each alarm.
Leigh Page, stakeholder delivery manager at National Grid said, “We’re keen to be an industry leader on innovation and we’re delighted to sponsor the intelligent carbon monoxide monitor project. We are hopeful that the project will support our ambition to reduce the number of carbon monoxide incidents each year.
“This type of alarm could help those living in student accommodation, local authority housing and sheltered accommodation, by detecting carbon monoxide gas and saving lives. The trial we’re running in student houses at Lancaster University will help us learn more about the alarms and how everyone can benefit from them.
“We also see the potential, specifically for specialist groups such as the deaf and hard of hearing because of the text messaging capability of this alarms system."
The students are given carbon monoxide education when the alarm is installed and advised to call the national gas emergency number 0800 111 999, in the usual way should they suspect carbon monoxide poisoning.
Scott Wallace, Smart Compliance director, who manufacture the intelligent alarms said, “We’re delighted that our carbon monoxide detectors are starting the first phase of this project in student accommodation. Our aim is to keep people safe from carbon monoxide and to raise awareness of this deadly gas. We see this collaboration between ourselves, the Energy Innovation Centre and National Grid as paving the way for an innovation change in how we detect carbon monoxide and protect people in the future.”
Smart Compliance Ltd, the manufacturer of the devices, will monitor the carbon monoxide levels, device performance and receive reports wirelessly throughout the trial. The monitor automatically self- tests on a weekly basis and sends messages to a secure web server that reports the information by property.
This trial is part of a 600 unit trial across the UK, funded by the National Innovation Allowance the Ofgem fund.
Notes to editors - archive
National Grid is one of the largest investor-owned energy companies in the world and was named Responsible Business of the Year 2014 by Business in the Community. This accolade acknowledges all of our efforts in getting involve with the things that really matter to us and to society. We own and manage the grids that connect people to the energy they need, from whatever the source. In Britain and the north-eastern states of the US we run systems that deliver gas and electricity to millions of people, businesses and communities.
In Britain, we run the gas and electricity systems that our society is built on, delivering gas and electricity across the country. In the North Eastern US, we connect more than seven million gas and electric customers to vital energy sources, essential for our modern lifestyles.
National Grid in the UK:
- We own the high-voltage electricity transmission network in England and Wales, operating it across Great Britain
- We own and operate the high pressure gas transmission system in Britain
- Our gas distribution business delivers gas to 10.9 million homes and businesses
- We also own a number of related businesses including LNG importation, land remediation and metering
- National Grid manages the National Gas Emergency Service free phone line on behalf of the industry - 0800 111 999 (all calls are recorded and may be monitored).
- Our portfolio of other businesses is mainly concerned with infrastructure provision and related services where we can exploit our core skills and assets to create value. These businesses operate in areas such as Metering, Grain LNG Import, Interconnectors and Property. National Grid Carbon Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of National Grid. It undertakes Carbon Capture Storage related activities on behalf of National Grid.
Find out more about the energy challenge and how National Grid is helping find solutions to some of the challenges we face at www.nationalgridconnecting.com
National Grid undertakes no obligation to update any of the information contained in this release, which speaks only as at the date of this release, unless required by law or regulation.