Carbon monoxide poisoning results from faulty or poorly installed gas appliances and kills more than 30 people every year
Carbon monoxide is produced when gas does not burn properly. Dangerous levels can build up if there is inadequate ventilation. The danger signs that show something may be wrong include the flame burning orange or yellow and brown staining or sooting on or near to the appliance.
Symptoms of CO poisoning
You cannot see, taste or smell carbon monoxide and people are most vulnerable when asleep. Early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include
- tiredness
- drowsiness
- a headache
- chest and stomach pains.
A landlord has a duty to arrange for an annual check of all gas appliances by a Gas Safe registered contractor. He/she should also give the tenant a copy of the written gas safety record. www.gassaferegister.co.uk
What are the gas safety risks of dangerous and unsafe gas work?
Dangerous and unsafe gas work can be deadly. Badly fitted and poorly serviced appliances can cause the following gas safety risks:
- gas leaks
- fires
- explosions
- carbon monoxide poisoning
Top tips for gas safety
- Only use a Gas Safe registered engineer to fit, fix or service your gas appliances, including your
- Always check the engineer’s Gas Safe Register ID card. All Gas Safe registered engineers carry a Gas Safe Register ID card, with their own unique license number, showing the type of work they are qualified to do. View our short video to understand what you need to check on the card.
- Get your appliances regularly serviced and safety checked every year, or in accordance with your manufacturer’s guidelines, by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Your Gas Safe registered engineer will carry out tests and checks to establish your appliances are operating safely. Where an appliance or pipework has been installed in an unsafe way, or is operating unsafely and the engineer cannot rectify the situation immediately, they will follow the guidance outlined in the Gas Industry Unsafe Situations Procedure (GIUSP) to make the installation safe. This is the industry accepted document for guiding engineers on dealing with unsafe situations.
- Fit an audible carbon monoxide alarm. An alarm will alert you to the presence of the poisonous gas carbon monoxide, produced by unsafe gas appliances. Make sure you know the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning.
- If you think there might be a gas leak or notice any signs of carbon monoxide, act fast and follow the advice for gas emergencies.
- gas boiler
- gas fire, gas cooker or hob
- central heating system, radiators or your hot water system, if they are connected to either a Natural Gas or LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) supply
What to do in a gas emergency
- Are you experiencing any of the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?
- Can you smell gas?
- Are there any danger signs on or around the appliance?
Act quickly and take the following safety steps:
- Open all doors and windows to ventilate the room. Get fresh air immediately
- Switch off the appliance and do not reuse until it has been checked by a Gas Safe registered engineer
- Shut off the gas supply at the mains (if you know where this is)
- Call the relevant National Gas Safety number (see below)
- Visit your GP or the hospital immediately and tell them that you believe your symptoms may be related to carbon monoxide poisoning
- Contact a Gas Safe registered engineer to carry out the necessary repairs to the appliance
Gas Emergency Services
- England, Scotland and Wales:
- For Natural gas, call the National Gas Emergency Service Freephone Number: 0800 111 999
- For liquified petroleum gas (LPG),
- Bulk and Metered supplies; see telephone number on the bulk storage vessel or at the meter
- Cylinder supplies; See gas supplier emergency contact details in the local telephone directory*
- Northern Ireland:
- For Natural gas, call the Northern Ireland Gas Emergency Service: 0800 002 001
- For liquified petroleum gas (LPG),
- Bulk and Metered supplies; see telephone number on the bulk storage vessel or at the meter
- Cylinder supplies; See gas supplier emergency contact details in the local telephone directory*
- Isle of Man:
- For Natural gas, Towns gas** and LPG, call Manx Gas Ltd: 01624 644 444
- Guernsey:
- For Mains gas** and LPG, call Guernsey Gas Ltd: 01481 749000
- Jersey:
- For Mains gas** and LPG, call Jersey Gas Company Ltd: 01534 755555
- Contact details of the four main suppliers of LPG in Great Britain
- Calor: 08457 444 999
- BP: 0845 607 6118
- Flogas: 0845 720 0100
- Shell: 0870 7539 999
* For cylinder supplies on caravan parks and hire boats, the site owner and/or boat operator may also have responsibilities. Advice may be obtained from the gas company identified on the cylinder through their emergency contact details.
** Mains gas and Towns gas
Guernsey and Jersey in common with the United Kingdom and the Isle of Man have LPG supplies, but where they differ, is that they do not have any Natural gas installations. The gas used in the mains distribution system is a manufactured LPG/Air mixture (otherwise known as ‘mains gas’). The mains gas consumers are served by a network of underground mains emanating from a LPG/Air production plant, where the gas is processed, constantly monitored and checked for quality and purity.
Gas Installations in the Isle of Man are similar to those found in Guernsey and Jersey; however the Isle of Man is currently undergoing a gas conversion programme, whereby many of its LPG/Air installations on its ‘Towns gas’ network are being converted to burn Natural gas. There are also some 6,000 installations still using LPG/Air. The plan is to convert the existing LPG/Air installations to Natural gas by 2012.
Information taken from www.gassaferegister.co.uk, HSE, Woking Borough Council, the gas safety trust