2022 is an important year for carbon monoxide safety. Scotland, England, and Wales are all moving forward with laws to make carbon monoxide alarms mandatory in many more homes. This is welcome progress, which will protect many more people and reduce the harm caused by carbon monoxide each year.
Stephanie Peacock MP for Barnsley East led a debate in on carbon monoxide in parliament last year. Recently, we linked up with her to offer free alarms for households in need in her constituency.
Stephanie says:
“It has been eye opening to see how many people in Barnsley East took up our offer of a free carbon monoxide alarm. As carbon monoxide is invisible and does not have a smell, an alarm is vital to detect danger and can be lifesaving. I am hugely thankful to Cadent, as well as our other sponsors, who together donated hundreds of alarms.
Cadent can offer additional help and support to households who need it, so do have a look to see what’s available. Carbon monoxide is harmful to us all, but young children and babies are even more at risk. Please make sure your family is protected today and get ahead of the new regulations.”
Phil Burrows, Head of Customer Vulnerability Social Programme Delivery at Cadent says
"We are delighted to provide carbon monoxide alarms to Stephanie Peacock MP for distribution amongst her constituents.
The alarms and guidance will protect customers and their families across Barnsley from the dangers of poisonous carbon monoxide, also known as the silent killer.
Cadent and Stephanie Peacock MP both support the All-Party Parliamentary Carbon Monoxide group, which works to raise awareness of carbon monoxide and improve policy.”
The All-Party Parliamentary Carbon Monoxide Group knows that alarms save lives, and has been calling for an expansion of these regulations for many years, notably in the report
“Tenants Safe and Secure in Their Homes”.
This is even more important as rising energy prices, inflation, and changes in the cost of living have left many households struggling with fuel poverty and at risk of carbon monoxide exposure.
If you’re in rented accommodation, it will be your landlord’s responsibility to provide and maintain working alarms. Many organisations and associations are urging property owners to get ahead of the curve and install carbon monoxide alarms during the annual gas safety check.
If you’re in need of support with bills and heating, please contact National Energy Action.
What are the new rules?
Scotland: from 1 February 2022, all
Scottish homes will be required to have interlinked (usually via radio frequency) smoke and heat alarms, and carbon monoxide alarms (which do not need to be interlinked) for most carbon fuelled appliances. All alarms must meet the relevant British Standards, for carbon monoxide alarms this is listed as EN 50291-1.
England: The Department for Levelling Up Housing and Communities (DLUHC), recently announced the
outcome of the consultation on domestic smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. These changes will require carbon monoxide alarms to be installed in rented accommodation and new build properties where there is a fixed combustion appliance, excluding gas cookers. Both private and social sector landlords will have a duty to repair or replace alarms, once informed that they are faulty.
Wales: The Welsh Government recently announced that it will bring forward changes from 15 July 2022 with the
Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016, which will require landlords to ensure working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are fitted in their properties, under the
regulations for Fitness for human habitation (FFHH).
Northern Ireland: (no recent change) Carbon monoxide alarms are a
mandatory requirement for all homes where a new fossil fuel appliance is installed in Northern Ireland, after a change to The Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 came into operation on 31 October 2012.