Carbon monoxide is produced by faulty gas appliances and cannot be seen, smelled or tasted. Here is what every Liverpool homeowner and landlord needs to know to protect their household.
Carbon monoxide is produced when gas appliances burn fuel incompletely due to a lack of oxygen. It is colourless, odourless and tasteless. It kills by binding to the haemoglobin in red blood cells, preventing them from carrying oxygen around the body. The first sign that something is wrong is often a headache. By the time more severe symptoms appear, the person affected may already be too confused or incapacitated to act.
According to the UK Health Security Agency, around 20 people die each year in England and Wales from unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning, with many more hospitalised. In England, 68% of carbon monoxide deaths occur in autumn and winter, when gas appliances are used more intensively and windows are kept closed.
Liverpool has one of the highest concentrations of Victorian and Edwardian housing in England. Many of these properties have original chimney flues, older gas fires and boiler installations that predate current safety standards. Blocked or deteriorated flues are one of the most common causes of carbon monoxide build-up in domestic properties.
A study of more than 27,000 properties by Liverpool John Moores University, supported by the Merseyside Fire Service, found that fewer than 10% of homes have a single carbon monoxide alarm. This means the vast majority of Liverpool properties have no independent detection capability if a gas appliance begins producing CO.
Any appliance that burns a carbon-based fuel can produce carbon monoxide if it is faulty, poorly maintained or inadequately ventilated. In Liverpool homes, the most common sources are:
According to the Health and Safety Executive, around 7 people die every year specifically from carbon monoxide produced by gas appliances and flues that have not been properly installed, maintained or ventilated. This is entirely preventable with regular servicing and properly installed CO alarms.
Carbon monoxide poisoning is frequently misdiagnosed as flu, food poisoning or general fatigue. The critical distinction is that CO poisoning does not cause a raised temperature or blocked nose. If you notice the following symptoms and they improve when you leave the property, CO poisoning is a possibility that must be ruled out immediately.
Get everyone out of the property immediately. Call 999 if anyone is unwell. Call Cadent Gas on 0800 111 999 to report the suspected leak. Do not re-enter until a Gas Safe registered engineer has inspected and cleared the property. See the NHS carbon monoxide guidance for full medical advice.
While CO itself is invisible, incomplete combustion produces visible signs that indicate a problem. Regular visual checks of your gas appliances are an important part of home safety.
An audible CO alarm is the only reliable way to detect carbon monoxide before symptoms occur. Alarms should meet British Standard BS EN 50291, which is mandatory for alarms sold in the UK. Place an alarm in every room containing a gas appliance and on each floor of the property. Replace the alarm as per the manufacturer's instructions, typically every 5 to 7 years.
From October 2022, regulations require landlords in England to provide a CO alarm in any room with a fixed combustion appliance (excluding gas cookers). This is now a legal requirement for landlords.
Annual servicing by a Gas Safe registered engineer is the single most important preventative measure against CO poisoning. An engineer will check flue integrity, combustion efficiency and all safety devices. Landlords are legally required to hold a valid CP12 gas safety certificate. Homeowners are strongly advised to service annually and keep their boiler warranty valid.
Gas appliances require adequate ventilation to burn correctly. Never block air bricks, ventilation grilles or flue outlets. Do not use portable gas or petrol generators indoors. Never use a gas hob or barbecue to heat a room.
A carbon monoxide alarm is the only reliable way to detect it. CO has no colour, smell or taste. An audible alarm meeting British Standard BS EN 50291 should be installed in every room containing a gas appliance. Alarms typically last 5 to 7 years before needing replacement.
Carbon monoxide poisoning does not cause a raised temperature or blocked nose. Key symptoms include headache, dizziness, nausea and tiredness. If symptoms improve when you leave the property and return when you go back, CO poisoning is a possibility that must be investigated immediately.
Yes. Since October 2022, landlords in England are legally required to provide a CO alarm in any room with a fixed combustion appliance (excluding gas cookers). Failure to comply can result in a fine of up to £5,000.
Install CO alarms in every room with a gas appliance, book an annual gas safety inspection with a Gas Safe registered engineer, never block ventilation around appliances, and check for visual warning signs such as orange flames and soot marks around appliances. Annual boiler servicing is the most important preventative step.
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