Landlords: Smoke and CO Regs 2015

[hab1966]

New regs came into force recently requiring landlords to provide smoke and CO alarms in their properties.

The regs require a CO detector to be provided in any room (....) which contains a solid fuel burning combustion appliance.

There is a "Q&A Booklet for the Private Rented Sector – landlords and tenants" and they specifically state that you don't need a CO detector for gas or oil appliances.

I'm struggling to understand why you need one for solid burning fuel appliances but not for gas or oil appliances.

[SwissJonese]

Has it actually come into force yet as we where told they are still deciding on the details?

[hab1966]

Yes, it came into force on 1 October 2015

[JustinP1]

hab1966 said:

I'm struggling to understand why you need one for solid burning fuel appliances but not for gas or oil appliances.

I don't know for a fact, but I'll hazard a logical guess:

Gas on oil appliances have to be checked every year.

A coal/wood fire doesn't. If the chimney is blocked and you have an imperfect or smouldering burn you get CO.

[S6PNJ]

hab1966 said:

Yes, it came into force on 1 October 2015

Do you have a source for that as all of the docs I read said it was planned subject to approval by Govt (or whatever it said).

[superlightr]

Yes its is in force now. cant point to on line confirmation asim too tired to look.but it is. im sure you can find it.

Where we have properties with oil the co & smoke alarms are going in. as with any with gas/open fires etc.

Letting agency with 250+ properties.

[Mr Noble]

I was under the impression that CO detectors DID need to be fitted where there are gas boilers/hobs/fires.


Can you point out where it's apparently states that they're NOT required for GAS appliances please?

[Mr Noble]

Here's the doc. Reading it now.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/smoke-a...

[Mr Noble]

Here you go.


It's correct. My Gas man and the agencies in Cambridge that I know are all telling all their landlords that we NEED to be putting a CO detector into any room with ANY fuel burning appliance!

So while it's NOT actually a necessity, it is regarded as good practice for LLs to put a CO detector into the room with the boiler in it.


I guess for £20 it's probably worth doing it.......




Extract from the doc above.



9. Does a carbon monoxide alarm need to be installed in rooms with gas or oil appliances?

No. Carbon monoxide alarms are only required in rooms containing a solid fuel burning appliance (i.e. rooms containing an open fire, log burning stove, etc.).
However, as gas appliances can emit carbon monoxide, we would expect and encourage reputable landlords to ensure that working carbon monoxide alarms are installed in rooms with these.

[BoRED S2upid]

JustinP1 said:

I don't know for a fact, but I'll hazard a logical guess:

Gas on oil appliances have to be checked every year.

A coal/wood fire doesn't. If the chimney is blocked and you have an imperfect or smouldering burn you get CO.

Exactly this for all gas appliances you legally have to have a yearly check for other appliances you don't hence this new legislation.

I couldn't imagine renting out a property with a log burner or equivalent though big risks in that.

I will stick to gas central heating and electric everything else nice and simple.

[superlightr]

BoRED S2upid said:

Exactly this for all gas appliances you legally have to have a yearly check for other appliances you don't hence this new legislation.

I couldn't imagine renting out a property with a log burner or equivalent though big risks in that.

I will stick to gas central heating and electric everything else nice and simple.

hope you do install a co alarm as well. 10y lithium life. about £30 You never know how the courts will interpret the rules. cost v risk = no brainer.