HEATING HELPLINE SUPPORTS RECOMMENDATIONS ON CO ALARMS IN NEW GOVERNMENT REPORT
26 April 2012 – Following the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) Select Committee’s Final Report on its recent inquiry into Building Regulations Part J, applying to electrical and gas installation and repairs in dwellings, the Heating Helpline, the free consumer advice service operated by B&ES (the Building & Engineering Services Association), has welcomed the specific recommendations in the Report on CO Alarms for households. Blane Judd, Chief Executive of B&ES comments, “The Heating Helpline has done much to warn homeowners and tenants about the dangers of CO poisoning and the steps they can take to protect themselves. This extends to a dedicated section on the perils of this ‘silent killer’ on the Heating Helpline website.
“We therefore fully support the recommendations of the new DCLG Select Committee’s Final Report that:
- all homes retrofitted under the Green Deal should be assessed and, if required, fitted with new CO alarms;
- the Government should go further in developing Building Regulations Part J, to require audible EN 50291 compliant carbon monoxide alarms to be installed as standard in any new build or existing home.
“The Government’s various and laudable initiatives to encourage householders to improve the insulation of their homes will, as the Report highlights, be given further impetus under the Green Deal; meaning there is an even greater threat of CO poisoning due to the increased air-tightness of homes”.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odourless, colourless, non-irritant gas. It is the most common cause of fatal poisoning in the UK with 50 people each year being killed by it and hundreds more made seriously ill.
CO poisoning occurs when gas fired appliances such as boilers, cookers and fires are not operating correctly. Homes with old appliances or appliances that have been infrequently (or never) serviced are most at risk, with research indicating that nearly a quarter of UK homes have one or more defective gas appliance.
Blane Judd concludes “Fitting a European Standard certified audible carbon monoxide alarm is a vital second line of defence after having your appliances safety checked. It is essential that your alarm is marked with the EN50291 safety standard and with the CE mark”.
The Heating Helpline is backed by B&ES (the Building & Engineering Services Association) and provides essential safety information and useful advice to keep your home and family out of harm’s way. For more information on gas safety or how you can locate a Gas Safe registered engineer, contact the free Heating Helpline on 0800 840 4069 or visit their website at: http://www.heatinghelpline.org.uk.
Ends
Issued on behalf of the Building & Engineering Services Association (B&ES) by Next Step Marketing Ltd
Media enquiries to: Heather Lambert. Tel: 44(0)1256 472020;
Fax: 44(0)1256 471010; E-mail: heather@nextstepmarketing.co.uk
Notes to editors
Since its formation in 1904, B&ES, the Building & Engineering Services Association (formerly the HVCA) has represented the interests of companies engaged in a wide range of building and engineering services including domestic heating and renewable technologies.
B&ES members are subject to regular, third-party inspection and assessment of their technical competence and commercial capability, carried out by an independent certification body at least every three years.
B&ES members who undertake gas installations are registered with Gas Safe – the gas safety watchdog body – and are also members of TrustMark, the Government-endorsed scheme designed to direct customers towards reliable tradespeople.
B&ES operates the Heating Helpline (http://www.heatinghelpline.org.uk) to provide consumers with free, impartial advice on every aspect of home heating.
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