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Carbon monoxide (CO)
Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless poisonous gas that gets released by fires and gas appliances. Breathing it can lead to illness or even death, so it’s important to follow safety procedures to prevent danger.
How to detect CO in your home
Because CO has no colour or smell, you should always have a CO alarm installed in your home, and be aware of other signs of its presence. Keep an eye out for:
- Staining, soot or discolouration around a fuel-burning appliance.
- Condensation on your windows and/or walls when a fuel-burning appliance is on.
- A gas appliance having a yellow or orange flame instead of blue.
- A strange smell when a fuel-burning appliance is on: While CO itself has no smell, other burning fumes may smell and can be a sign.
How to prevent CO build-up in your home
Prevention is better than cure. Here’s how you can minimise the likelihood of CO building up in your home.
- Make sure all your fuel-burning appliances are installed by a qualified installer.
- Get your boiler and any other fuel-burning appliances serviced once a year.
- Always use a qualified service agent for your fuel type.
- Get your chimney swept once a year.
- Keep your flues and chimneys clear at all times.
- Never block ventilation in a room.
What are the best practices for installing and replacing a CO alarm?
When installing or replacing a a CO alarm:
- Choose an audible alarm that meets EN 50291 and carries an independent certification mark.
- Replace alarms at the end of their lifespan, typically every 5 to 10 years.
- Consider an alarm with an end-of-life warning, which alerts you when replacement is needed.