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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Told i dont need a carbon monoxide detector

44 replies

Minnie16889 · 08/01/2021 12:15

My carbon monoxide alarm started beeping because of low battery, took it off the wall and saw it was due to be replaced November 2019.
Called housing association to see if they replace, to be told they do not and i do not need one unless the boiler is in a bedroom or i have an open fire.
Is this correct? I have a boiler in the kitchen, and though all houses needed one.
I got told if i want one for peace of mind then to go b&q, fair enough i will go buy one its not a problem.
But surely saying that one is not needed is wrong?

OP posts:
COinfo · 12/01/2021 20:40

@murbblurb - it sounds as if both you and your engineer are well informed; always good to hear.

MissMarpleDarling · 12/01/2021 22:36

They don't replace them just buy one.

LibrariesGiveUsPower45321 · 12/01/2021 23:26

Just buy one. It might save your life. I had a close shave with carbon monoxide poisoning a couple years ago. Boiler went on blink, my flat mate actually blacked out repeatedly, we both had horrendous headaches and nausea, I was in downstairs bedroom, boiler conked out totally and the gas engineer who came around flipped a lid at the shoddy work and gas flue had been blocked by the landlord. Terrifying.

Minnie16889 · 12/01/2021 23:30

Thanks for all the responses, had no idea i had more replies.

I am going to be ordering one this week.

OP posts:
ellenleaves · 12/01/2021 23:33

My friend died from CO poisoning, well done for sorting it yourself whatever they have said to you. They are so vital.

Bunbunbunny · 13/01/2021 00:37

It's not law yet, there's a consultation on it. Could never understand why it wasn't done before!

Scattyhattie · 13/01/2021 00:54

I was told I didn't need one as the boiler flue was outside (or something like that) by the heating engineer servicing it.

KathleenTurnerOverdrive · 13/01/2021 01:08

It's not law yet, there's a consultation on it. Could never understand why it wasn't done before!

A Tory government putting the financial interests of landlords before the safety of tenants? I'm as shocked as you are!

Sinful8 · 13/01/2021 01:33

@Minnie16889

Completely understand i need to pay for one, its them saying one is not needed in my home
Its not needed.

Nice to have but the vast majority of people don't have them.

Sinful8 · 13/01/2021 01:34

@Bunbunbunny

It's not law yet, there's a consultation on it. Could never understand why it wasn't done before!
So if it was law would the op be liable for operating for a year without one?

If not and ots tbelandlords do renters really want regular co date inspection visits?

BunnyBoilerRhian · 13/01/2021 01:43

My boilers in the attic (not my choice- previous owners relocated it there).
I have 2 Carbon Monoxide detectors.
One in the attic close to it and one on the landing, as I was worrìed we might not easily hear the attic one if asleep with doors closed or downstairs.
FireAngel £9.99 last year on Amazon.

Gingaaarghpussy · 13/01/2021 02:17

Apparently you only need a co detector if you use solid fuel.
My Landlord recently put one in, he said because he had to by law. My flat is grade 2 listed and I don't have solid fuel anywhere. I have a combi boiler that is next to my front door that has a gap all the way round, so I really don't need one. Seeing as he out it in though, I'm not complaining.Grin

BertieBotts · 13/01/2021 08:36

Co can also be produced by gas appliances, so it's sensible to have one with a gas boiler. I think it's the law which states solid fuel, though.

Arnoldthecat · 13/01/2021 08:43

I think there is far too much fuss made over CO alarms and they create another stream of anxiety for people .

Modern central heating boilers are room sealed and very safe as long as they are installed and maintained competently.

Further ,CO alarms with replaceable batteries are being phased out and should not be bought.

The reason why is that people continually replace the batteries and think they are safe . They press the button on the front and it beeps.

Guess what? pressing the button only proves that the sounder in the alarm works. It does not prove that it will detect CO and alarm !

To test the alarm proper, you would have to expose it to CO alarm test gas.

People replace batteries for years,not realising that the alarm is actually knackered and although it beeps, it will not detect CO and so is useless.

If you really want a COD, buy one of the new sealed unit ones with non replaceable battery . Buy it from a reputable source eg screwfix for best prices, so that you know its manufactured to British Standar and not some crap off ebay.

Fit it in accordance with the instructions in the packet which you need to read.

DO NOT fit it or stand it close to an appliance or it may tend to false trigger.

BertieBotts · 13/01/2021 08:53

Mine came with instructions for testing it using incense or a cigarette.

Elieza · 13/01/2021 10:19

The new legislation about to be introduced in Scotland next month ( but postponed) said you need a smoke alarm in all occupied rooms like dining rooms, living rooms lounge etc (not bedrooms I believe) linked to each other so when one is triggered they all go off, a co2 alarm, and a heat alarm in the kitchen.

I think that sounds sensible, if expensive!

movingonup20 · 13/01/2021 10:28

We had one in our rental and they were put in by the builders of our house we just bought but legally not sure they are a requirement.

Changi · 13/01/2021 10:34

I was told I didn't need one as the boiler flue was outside (or something like that) by the heating engineer servicing it

If the boiler flue is boxed in, it means that it can't easily be inspected for leaks. Hence the requirement for a CO alarm

Arnoldthecat · 13/01/2021 11:31

If your boiler flue is boxed in and cannot be visually inspected along its FULL length then it is now law that there must be inspection hatches fitted. This is because of a number of fatalities due to the above circumstance.

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