Keeping tenants safe

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a highly poisonous gas produced by the incomplete burning of any carbon fuel such as natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). This can happen when a gas appliance has been incorrectly fitted, badly repaired, or poorly maintained.

CO can also build up if flues, chimneys, or vents are blocked. Solid fuels, such as coal, wood, petrol, as well as oil, can also produce CO when they burn.CO is known as the ‘silent killer’ because you cannot see, smell, or taste it.

How many people are affected? 

Sadly, around 30 people in England and Wales die from carbon monoxide poisoning each year, and many more need hospital treatment. Find out more about Carbon Monoxide

The main symptoms of poisoning are:

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Breathlessness
• Collapse
• Loss of consciousness

Being aware of these symptoms could save your life. There may be other signs that could indicate CO poisoning, such as:

• Children vomiting.
• Symptoms you notice at home lessen when you leave.
• Others in your household experience similar symptoms at a similar time.
• Pets are displaying irritable behaviour. For example, odd behaviour such as aggression, anxiety or fear of noises or other animals.

Carbon monoxide can be deadly or cause serious long-term health problems. Some symptoms of CO poisoning are the same as flu, food poisoning, viral infections, fatigue, or a hangover which makes it easy to mistake this dangerous poisoning for something else.

Carbon Monoxide detectors 

The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations which came into effect 1st October 2022 require the Council to:

• Install a smoke alarm on every elevation within living accommodation.
• Install carbon monoxide alarms in any rooms used as living accommodation with a fixed combustion appliance (excluding gas cookers).
• Repair or replace faulty smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors as soon as reasonably practicable.
• As part of the annual gas safety check (or at void stage) the Council will check smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms are working correctly. A new detector and/or alarm will be fitted If faulty or missing.

Ventilation

If you have a gas appliance that needs air to work properly (ventilation), please make sure you don't block or cover these vents in any way. Blocking a vent can stop your appliance from burning gas completely leading to carbon monoxide poisoning. During your yearly gas safety check, the engineer will check your vents. They will make sure the vents are the right size, in good condition, and not blocked.

Gas Safety Checks

The Council will carry out a gas safety check every year on all properties that have a gas supply, even if the gas isn't currently being used.

What the check includes

• Testing of any gas appliances owned by tenants (except for their own cookers).
• If an appliance is found to be faulty, it will be either stopped from working (isolated) or completely disconnected, depending on how serious the problem is.
• Tenants will receive a warning notice and advice explaining why their appliance is unsafe.

Properties with capped gas supplies

• If your gas supply was capped (turned off) at your request during a previous safety check, we will still check it every year. This is to make sure it hasn't been turned back on without us knowing.
• At the same time, we will also check on your well-being and see if lack of gas heating is causing any problems with your property.

Properties without a gas meter

• If your property doesn't have a gas meter but still has a live gas supply that has been capped at the emergency control valve (ECV), we will carry out a visual check each year.

Why are gas checks important?

Gas safety checks are vital for preventing serious dangers like carbon monoxide poisoning, gas leaks, and explosions. Regular checks make sure your gas appliances work safely and efficiently, which greatly reduces the risk of carbon monoxide. These checks also help find and fix any potential problems before they become dangerous.

Shared flues and chimneys

If a flue or chimney is shared with your neighbour, it is important that you and your neighbour work together to ensure you both get your gas appliances checked each year to keep both households safe.

Who does the gas checks in Council houses? 

By law, gas appliances in your home must be checked by a qualified engineer every year. Council engineers will visit your home annually to carry out these checks.

Procedures for access

Appointment letters are sent to residents about two months before their gas safety check. Tenants are advised to refer to the letter for instructions on how to reschedule if the appointment date is not convenient. The new appointment will be confirmed with another letter.

Following three consecutive failed access attempts, legal remedies available within the terms of the tenancy agreement may be enforced to gain access to the property to carry out the work.

Where vulnerabilities are known or identified, the Council will ensure the wellbeing of the tenant is safeguarded and work with other agencies and Housing Officers to address the root cause of the access issue.

What to do if you smell or suspect a gas leak

If you smell gas or suspect Carbon monoxide, in the first instance you must call the National Gas Emergency Service (Cadent).

Call Cadent - 0800 111 999

Cadent will attend within one hour to ensure your safety. Please follow the advice below if you believe you can smell or suspect gas or fumes.

• Open your windows and doors to let air in, make sure all gas appliances are turned off and turn off the gas at the mains if possible.
• Do not turn any lights on or off and avoid using any other electrical switches or appliances as this could trigger an explosion.
• Do not smoke, light a match or any other naked flame.
• Do not try and investigate a problem or attempt to fix a leak or faulty appliance.

Once Cadent have attended to the problem and made the situation safe please call us on 01709 336009 to complete the repair if needed.

Heating Breakdown Troubleshooting

If your heating is not working properly, please check:

• You have credit if you have a prepayment meter and that it’s turned on.
• Your gas supply is turned on indicated by the on position at the emergency control valve located at your gas meter.
• The boiler fuse spur is turned on and your display or lights are illuminated.
• The programmer or timer is set to ‘constant’ or ‘on’, 
• The boiler pressure gauge, reads more than one bar
• The room thermostat is working and operable.
• Are there any fault codes displayed on a digital thermostat?

If your appliance is still not working after you have completed these checks please report  this through Housing Online or contact us on 01709 336009.

Remember

These checks are free in Council houses. It is important to let the engineers into your home when they are scheduled.

Our staff and contractors will always carry identification. Please ask to see their ID before allowing them into your property.

Alarm Systems

We install and maintain smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in accordance with the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022.