Independent charity CO-Gas Safety has backed the concerns of a self-employed gas engineer who claimed Fife Council’s policy on the fitting of carbon monoxide (CO) detectors could be putting lives at risk in its rented properties.
CO-Gas Safety president and director Stephanie Trotter told The Courier there should be more awareness of the dangers of what is often called the silent killer.
The Courier told last week how the daughter of gas engineer Stewart Tainsh was told by Fife Council that, due to the type of boiler she had in her Tayport flat, she did not require a CO alarm.
Fife Council confirmed that since October, there is a general requirement under building regulations to install a CO detector if a carbon-fuelled appliance is installed in any dwelling. However, this is not retrospective and CO detectors are not fitted during routine services or upon request.
Fife Council complies with these regulations and installs CO detectors at the same time as a range of essential works on homes, including electrical rewiring, replacement heating and kitchen replacements.
In contacting The Courier to outline the charity’s concerns, Mrs Trotter said: “We do think CO alarms should be looked at as an extra safeguard on top of proper installation and maintenance by qualified people regarding gas, only by those registered by Gas Safe Register responsible and regular chimney sweeping and adequate ventilation.
“However, we are concerned that CO alarms will only be required for privately-rented accommodation when we think they should be required for all property.
“We think there should be far more awareness of the dangers of CO why are there no prime-time TV warnings about CO yet there are lots for all sorts of dangers we know about, such as smoking, drinking and driving, even eating too much fat?
“Network Rail put out prime-time TV warnings for nine deaths last year. The Department of Health estimates (there are) 40-50 deaths a year from CO. However, there needs to be a sustained campaign regarding CO from all fuels (coal, wood, gas, petrol, diesel etc.) all appliances, (boilers, fires, cookers, generators, barbecues, vehicles etc.) and all accommodation (houses, boats, tents etc.)”
CO-Gas Safety runs a schools poster competition for pupils aged 10 and 11 to raise awareness of the dangers of carbon monoxide.