Although deaths from Carbon Monoxide poisoning are thankfully rare these days, it’s important to note that an incorrectly installed or maintained appliance is a potentially lethal. All homeowners and Landlords should regularly inspect Gas appliances and have them checked by a CORGI approved engineer where appropriate.



Things to look out for:–

Danger signs that Homeowners can check.
Flames on burners (Yellow or Orange Tinge)
Do you notice a strange smell when the appliance is working?
Black marks or soot around or above burners (Fires and atmospheric boilers and air heaters)
Discolouration or burn marks around an appliance
Sooting around flue terminals
Damage to flues or terminal (Including ivy etc growing over them)
Damage or obstruction to air vents (Including ivy etc growing over them or blanked off because of draughts)
Flues terminating in a covered passage way

Danger Points that require inspection by CORGI registered engineers.
Appliances not installed to current standards
Incorrect burner pressures
Incorrect pressure at meter outlet
Incorrect combustion through lack of maintenance
Defective flues passing through roof voids etc
Multiple open flued appliances sharing the same ventilated space (i.e. 2 fires in through lounge)

Other points
An appliance that was professionally and correctly installed initially, could become immediately dangerous by building work that compromises the installation.

This might be due to the erection of a garage, extension, conservatory or other building work, on the owners property or by the actions of a neighbour where such activity reduces the proximity of the flue to some other part of the building causing a breach of current egulations.

Carbon Monoxide Detection
While there can be no argument that a carbon monoxide detector can be a lifesaver, it must be recognised that it will only work in the area in which it is directly situated.

A CO detector fitted in the lounge would not protect a leaking flue passing through a roof void.

Likewise, a room-sealed appliance, which is incorrectly sited, may be capable of having its products of combustion re-enter the property by an open window, air vent or other method.


BE SAFE - STAY SAFE
ALWAYS contact a CORGI registered engineer if you have any doubts at all about the safety of any appliance.

(Natural Gas Services cannot be held responsible for any act or omission by any person responding to the information contained above: which is offered in good faith)