The Draft Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022 were debated in the Second Committee for Delegated Legislation on 20 June 2022 and approved in the House of Commons on 21 June, according to the charity CO-Gas Safety1. The regulations come into force in England on 1 October 20221.
Under the changes, carbon monoxide alarms will be required in all rented accommodation and new build properties where there is a fixed combustion appliance, excluding gas cookers. An alarm will also be required when a fixed combustion appliance, again excluding gas cookers, is first installed in any home. Both private and social sector landlords will have a duty to repair or replace alarms once informed that they are faulty1.
The charity says alarms must meet the relevant British Standards (EN 50291-1) and must have a sealed battery for the duration of their lifespan, to prevent tampering or the need for battery changes1. It states that carbon monoxide cannot be seen or smelled, making alarms vital, and that the gas can form when any carbon-based fuel is burnt, with typical sources including gas appliances, petrol engines and solid fuel such as fires and stoves1. The NHS states that severe carbon monoxide poisoning causes around 60 accidental deaths in England and Wales every year, and exposure at sub-lethal levels causes common, non-specific symptoms such as headaches, nausea and dizziness, and is therefore thought to be under-reported1.
The position differs across the UK nations, as set out by CO-Gas Safety1:
| Nation | Requirement as reported |
|---|---|
| Scotland | Since 1 February 2022, all homes must have a carbon monoxide alarm in all rooms with a fixed combustion appliance (excluding one used solely for cooking) or a flue; landlords supply alarms in rented properties; alarms must meet EN 50291-1 and have a sealed battery for their lifespan |
| England | Regulations come into force on 1 October 2022, covering rented accommodation and new builds with a fixed combustion appliance (excluding gas cookers), and new installations in any home |
| Northern Ireland | Alarms are mandatory where a new fossil fuel appliance is installed, following a change to The Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 that came into operation on 31 October 2012; the Private Tenancies Act, requiring alarms in privately rented homes and placing a duty on landlords to repair them, received Royal Assent on 27 April 2022 |
CO-Gas Safety is supporting the Carbon Monoxide Alarms Save Lives campaign, which runs from 11 July to 28 August 2022, with support from the four gas distribution networks: Wales & West Utilities, SGN, Northern Gas Networks and Cadent1.
Why it matters for households
From 1 October 2022, tenants in rented homes in England and people moving into new builds with a fixed combustion appliance other than a gas cooker will be covered by the new requirement, and landlords will have a duty to repair or replace faulty alarms once told about them1. In Scotland the requirement has applied to all homes since 1 February 20221. CO-Gas Safety states that carbon monoxide poisoning can kill, can harm vital organs and is particularly dangerous for pregnant women and children1. The charity advises that alarms are no substitute for regular servicing by qualified people and chimney or flue cleaning, and that alarms are not health monitors1. It directs people seeking help understanding these duties and regulations, or legal advice, to Citizens Advice, which provides a free advice service across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland1. The site's carbon monoxide alarms guide sets out what the alarms do, and where to put a carbon monoxide alarm covers positioning.
What happens next
The Carbon Monoxide Alarms Save Lives campaign runs from 11 July to 28 August 2022, with new digital resources each week via its campaign homepage1. The English regulations take effect on 1 October 2022, and the Welsh changes from 1 December 20221.
Sources (1)
- Statement of Support for CO Alarms to EN 50291 | CO-Gas Safety, co-gassafety.co.uk
