Page 32 - Plumbheat Magazine

Carbon Monoxide Awareness
Five things to tell your customers about CO
It is vital that installers visiting a customer’s home thoroughly explain the importance of taking preventative measures against carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. After all, it can kill with little warning. Here, Adrian Keats from Honeywell’s Home Safety business explains some of the key facts you should be sharing with the customer while you’re in the property.
Adrian Keats
ALTHOUGH CO poisoning is still responsible for more than 50 deaths every year in the
UK1 and many more injuries, only around one-third of UK households have a working CO alarm. This is a worrying trend, but one that installers can help to prevent by explaining some of the key facts on home safety when they enter a customer’s property.
With this in mind, we’ve put together our top five need-to- know pieces of information.
1) The silent killer
Carbon monoxide is odourless, colourless and tasteless. Unlike a fire, which you can see and smell, a CO leak provides absolutely no warning.
What’s more, depending
on the scale of the leak, a homeowner could be suffering from low-level symptoms for months, completely unaware of the cause. For many people, their only awareness of CO may stem from fatal incidents reported on the news, and they may assume that all leaks lead to a rapid deterioration and death, but this is far from the case.
A low-level leak could result in headaches, nausea, dizziness, tiredness and shortness of breath. CO poisoning often manifests in such a way that it can be confused with flu or food poisoning; however, it does not cause a fever - an important
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differentiating factor.
2) A colour change spot detector isn’t enough
You may find that certain homeowners already believe that their CO protection is complete, relying upon a colour change spot detector that works by changing colour in the presence of CO.
These detectors are inadequate for a number of reasons. Firstly, no matter how prominently the detector is located, it is unlikely that the homeowner will check the unit every day, so if a colour change is triggered, there is every chance a homeowner will fail to notice.
Secondly, if there is a major CO leak during the night, the detector is effectively useless as it gives no audible alert. In a house with a high concentration of CO in the air, residents could lose consciousness, and if everyone in the house is already asleep, this could be fatal.
In addition, because the sensors degrade over time, these spot detectors need to be regularly replaced, typically every three to six months, or they become ineffective. This therefore increases the level of maintenance required and naturally the cost.
3) Legal compliance does not equal best practice
Although current regulations only require the installation of a CO alarm when fitting a solid fuel burning appliance, this is the bare minimum to ensure tenant safety. Many incidents of CO poisoning are the result of badly maintained or faulty gas appliances, which are not specifically addressed by
the legislation.
In light of this, it’s best to
recommend a CO alarm in every room housing a fuel burning appliance, and for proper protection, an alarm in any bedroom above these, too.
Whilst customers may initially be reluctant to go above and beyond the regulations, an investment in safety can never be a bad one, especially if they are made aware of the potentially catastrophic results of not taking the necessary precautions.
4) The value of correct siting
Even if the highest quality alarm is selected, it must always be sited correctly. Fitting an alarm in the wrong place can have a serious impact on its functionality, reducing its efficiency and effectiveness.
Ideally, a CO alarm should be positioned high up on a wall, typically 30 centimetres from
the ceiling, and at least one metre away from boilers, fires, cookers or heaters. It can be free-standing on a shelf, as long as the recommended positioning
requirements are met.
5) Quality matters
It may be tempting for homeowners to find the cheapest option online when
it comes to CO alarms, but
it’s essential that installers communicate the importance
of choosing a well-established brand with BSI certification: EN50291-1 2010 / EN50291-2 2010. When it comes to safety it’s a small price to pay for effective protection and peace of mind.
While CO safety might
seem obvious to installers, homeowners might not be
quite as knowledgeable and
may need some advice to help ensure they are safe. While in a customer’s home installers have the perfect chance to discuss this, and can help to explain the dangers and the solutions to help ensure safety, whilst potentially generating additional revenue.
For more information on the full range of Honeywell smoke, heat and CO alarms available, please visit http://www. homesafety.honeywell.com/ •
Autumn 2017