N Ireland Makes Carbon Monoxide Detectors Mandatory In New Homes

Each year, hundreds die in their own homes as a result of death caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, partially due to ignorance as the majority of the public actually think that their smoke detectors will also warn of carbon monoxide emissions from heating boilers, gas fires, and cookers.

The N.Ireland devolved government is acting in advance of the UK with the introduced of a new law making it compulsory for all new houses built to have at least one carbon monoxide detector installed.

Various news outlets report that the law follows the deaths of two teenagers from carbon monoxide poising at a holiday home in County L’Derry in August 2010.

From today, 31st October, NI Building Regulations require a carbon monoxide detector or alarm "in the room where the appliance is located. However, if the combustion appliance is installed in a room or space not normally used e.g. a boiler room/cupboard, the detector/alarm should be located just outside the room or space."

Meanwhile, last August the HSE N.Ireland issued a safety warning regarding a potential safety issue with the Sensor Safe Carbon Monoxide Alarm SF80190.

Test results have confirmed that these alarms may not detect levels of carbon monoxide and have been taken off sale. All existing stock has been quarantined and the company are recalling those already sold. These alarms have been supplied throughout Northern Ireland.

Anyone who has one of these carbon monoxide alarms should stop using them immediately and return them to their place of purchase.

See the E-library Database for a guide to carbon monoxide detectors available in N. Ireland and the UK.

Source: 4NI website / HSE NI

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