HSE issues safety alert over carbon monoxide risk

Faulty installations of gas central heating boilers could be putting countless people at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, the HSE has warned.

A safety alert has been issued by the safety body after it was discovered that flues for gas boilers, often found in the ceiling voids of multi-storey flats built since 2000, may not have been installed properly, or may have fallen into disrepair.

The warning is aimed at builders and developers, managing agents, landlords and occupiers of residential properties with gas central heating boilers sited on internal walls.

The performance of the boiler could potentially be affected if the flue is not working efficiently, and may produce high levels of carbon monoxide (CO) as a result. This could enter the ceiling void through any breaks in the flue, and down into the living space below, placing occupants at risk of CO poisoning.

The HSE is now working with property developers, the gas industry and construction trade associations to try and establish how many properties may have been developed with flues in ceiling voids.

The advice to property owners and landlords in the meantime is to ensure gas appliances are serviced and maintained at least annually by a competent, registered installer.

The HSE also recommends the use of carbon monoxide alarms as a supplementary measure.