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Carbon monoxide (CO) gas can be a killer and is produced by the incomplete combustion of oil, gas, coal (including smokeless coal) and wood. Even cigarette tobacco smoke contains CO. However, when these fuels are properly controlled, as they are in millions of appliances, including stoves, in UK and Irish homes then there is rarely ever a problem. Any issues that do occur – and unfortunately some of them can be fatal, generally happen because of poor installation or lack of maintenance, or both.
A carbon monoxide detector, is therefore not only a life-saving essential, it is now also a requirement in order for the stove installation works to comply with building regulations. It must be permanently fitted in the appropriate position to be effective and must be regularly checked by the homeowner to confirm that it is still working. Many CO detectors are loosely placed on window sills or on the mantlepiece – this is potentially dangerous and is not recommended by the manufacturers as it can have a serious impact on the alarm's performance and effectiveness. We've even seen them ending up behind framed family pictures.
Since carbon monoxide is marginally lighter than air and will easily rise with the warm air the wood burner has been producing (even after the flames have gone out) the CO alarm should always be permanently fixed to a wall at a minimum height of around 1.5 metres, preferably at ceiling height or on the ceiling itself. Never place it directly above the stove. Republic of Ireland Building regulations (Technical Guidance Document J Section 1.5.2) go a step further on CO alarms than the UK and stipulate more than one alarm per installation including placing one in each room the chimney or flue system passes through and inside each bedroom. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) say that each floor should have a separate detector with one placed near the sleeping area and loud enough to wake you up. Definitely worth considering and only a small extra price to pay in the scheme of things, even for mains connected detectors, especially when specifying the electrics in a new build.
Don't be tempted to buy a cheapie CO alarm from well-known auction sites either, just so that you can save a few pounds or Euros. The consumer magazine Which? recently tested these alarms and found many of them were ineffective and some simply didn't work. At The Stove Yard we strongly recommend either of the leading two brands, Honeywell or FireAngel, which offer both mains and battery models – and remember a CO alarm should never be regarded as a substitute for the installer carrying out the appropriate BS8303 spillage tests (see below) during the stove's commissioning or for regular stove maintenance and chimney / flue system sweeping.
NB The regulations are changing regarding CO alarms and it is expected that they will be required for all rooms where any form of combustion takes place including for gas hobs and boilers. The Government is also going to tighten up exactly where CO alarms should be positioned (updated 23 November 2021).
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