Fire and smoke alarms in Scottish homes: consultation

Part Seven: Carbon Monoxide Detectors

57. Carbon monoxide ( CO) is a colourless, odourless and tasteless gas. Low levels of CO gas can be present in the atmosphere, but it is highly toxic and dangerous to humans and animals in higher quantities. CO gas is produced in high levels from appliances where incomplete combustion of a carbon based fuel occurs. Incomplete combustion could occur in appliance installations that are defective, lack proper maintenance or have inadequate provision for combustion air. Since October 2013 Scottish building regulations have required CO detectors to be fitted when a new or replacement boiler or other fixed heating appliance is installed, irrespective of tenure. Since December 2015 a CO detector has been required in any private rented housing with a carbon fuelled appliance. ^[39]

58. Many social landlords and owner occupiers will have installed CO detectors during work to replace gas boilers. However, it is not currently mandatory to install CO detectors as a matter of course wherever there is an existing carbon fuelled appliance. We think that it makes practical sense to combine installation programmes for fire and smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms together. For this reason, we would also like to consider views on adding carbon monoxide detectors to the minimum standard.

Question 16: Do you think that there should be a new minimum standard for carbon monoxide detectors in (a) social rented and (b) owner occupied housing? Please explain your answer.