Government funded carbon monoxide detectors?

Government funded carbon monoxide detectors?

10:23 AM, 18th September 2015, About 9 years ago 15

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I know this has been a popular subject over the last few months however, now the October deadline is looming I wonder if other landlords would share their experiences of sourcing these alarms. fire station

After reading that the government was funding local fire authorities to provide private landlords with alarms I contacted my council who sent me a form to fill in with dates and times of local collection points at a local fire station.

My husband went along this morning to collect our ‘government funded free alarms’ for our nine properties (only c02 alarms as we have mains smoke alarms already installed). He was then told that they would only supply free alarms to properties that have open fires or log burners!

Now we are totally confused as I thought the alarms had to be placed in any rooms that housed a boiler or gas appliance.

Please could someone confirm this to me and if we do have to fund the purchase of these alarms, does anyone have any idea where we can get them at a reasonable price as they all seem to be over £20 each.

Thanks for any comments

Ashleigh


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Comments

David Lawrenson

13:13 PM, 18th September 2015, About 9 years ago

Yes, mmm the whole thing is sounding a bit like that other great bungle - the Green Deal and associated green funding... I.e. much confused information, much landlords going off on wild goose chases only to find the funding was not available or that they or their property did not qualify or the price for the works was twice as much as their local installer would do it for.
I have written often about the Green Deal and related green farces at my blog on many occasions.

On the matter of the alarms, we applied in London to the London Fire Brigades for our 10 properties there. After four weeks we got the smoke and CO alarms for one of the properties only, because this property was deemed "in a high risk area"
Not sure why that area was special - SE8 in case you are interested.
SE4 and SE13 may not be so high risk!

Dutifully collected alarms from local fire station - all good and better than nothing, but not exactly what I had hoped for.
Ask for prices from your Gas Safe Installer and get it done.
Don't wait for the government to hand out as you may be waiting a long time

Recardo

13:56 PM, 18th September 2015, About 9 years ago

B&Q do a Fire Angel co2 detector twin pack for £33, or a First Alert twin pack slightly less.
If your like me and over 60 go and Wednesdays and get 10% discount card.
I brought the First Alert detectors and delivered then to my tenants who signed to say they were received. Can't come back later and say LL didn't give me one!
Although regulation only states solid fuel, they are bound to say soon anywhere there is a cooker, gas fire etc. So get in early before the price goes up.

Dr Monty Drawbridge

14:47 PM, 18th September 2015, About 9 years ago

I would not bother with CO2 detectors. You can be pretty sure it's present and steadily becoming more abundant. And they regularly get set off by heavy breathers.

Sharon Betton

14:48 PM, 18th September 2015, About 9 years ago

I have been confused by the legislation, which seemed to make reference to CO detectors in every property, but then said was only required where there was an open fire. When I checked this with the Fire Safety Executive, I was advised that the original bill was only for solid fuel, but that an amendment had gone in to extend it to all fuel bruning appliances, which would include gas fires, cookers and boilers. However, until the bill has its' reading, the extension to cover all cannot be considered as law. I am with Recardo - its' bound to happen, if not this year then next, so get one now. May be worth asking the fire service again in a couple of weeks.

Isabel Dove

16:42 PM, 18th September 2015, About 9 years ago

At present CO2 detectors required for solid fuel burning appliances. Recommended for gas appliances, but not included at present. I agree, the chances are it will be brought in at a later date and what price safety?
If you have an ASDA store near you, you maybe able to get KIDDE CO2 detector for £8, usually £12+. Not available at all branches

BigMc

18:01 PM, 18th September 2015, About 9 years ago

Consistent with much government legislation it beggars belief in its level of incompetence and stupidity. This one states that CO detectors must be fitted where there are any "solid fuel burning appliances". I have asked for clarification on the definition of solid fuel.....it does not include gas. So all this new legislation to avoid eliminating the highest risk

AlanR

18:40 PM, 18th September 2015, About 9 years ago

There is plenty of information on CO and smoke alarms on the internet. So far, it seems that battery operated CO (7 year) are acceptable. How long before the regulations require hard-wired CO alarms? Probably about a year after you have spent money on the battery type! I installed CO alarms in my properties two years ago, I also have them in my own home and static caravan. It's really a no-brainer - what price safety...?

As far as I am aware, your local fire service will only supply you with free BATTERY (10 year) smoke alarms.

Some of the online info states that only hard-wired (dedicated circuit only - not off a lighting circuit) smoke alarms are required from 01/10/2015. I cannot establish 100% whether this is correct - nothing I have read convinces me that battery powered wirelessly connected alarms are not adequate. Battery powered are group F alarms and wired group D. One vendor's website stated that a certain type of battery/wireless smoke alarm is "usually" accepted for group D installation.

So, what to do? Spend a lot of money getting wired units or take a chance on battery units (cheaper option)????? I already have battery units installed and had intended changing one property to 10 year battery units - now, I don't know what to do?!

Some landlords that I know were not even aware of the regulation changes until I informed them - such are the benefits of being registered with sites such as Property 118.

Saeef Khan

10:43 AM, 20th September 2015, About 9 years ago

The new legislation regarding Smoke Alarms as well as Co2 alarms, does it only apply to new tenancies from 1st Of October or is it new as well as existing?

As I think I have read somewhere that, existing will be affected from 2018?

Gary

15:58 PM, 20th September 2015, About 9 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Saeef Khan" at "20/09/2015 - 10:43":

Surely any issues with compliance in this area will be picked up during the next gas safety inspection (CP12)?

Michael Barnes

20:50 PM, 25th September 2015, About 9 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Saeef Khan" at "20/09/2015 - 10:43":

It is the property; nothing to do with the tenancy.

If you have a solid fuel appliance, then you will need a CO alarm in the room fom October.

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