In July 2022, the building regulations were updated to extend the provisions and better define guidance for carbon monoxide alarms. The main major change is that the scope has been extended to include gas and oil appliances to paragraph 1.1(c), in- line with the current requirements for CO alarms for solid fuel heating appliances. This now means it is mandatory to provide a carbon monoxide alarm when installing any fixed combustion appliance (excluding gas cookers) with responsibility for compliance remaining with the relevant installer. The update also introduces the 2021 Environment act to the advice regarding the Clean Air Act:1993 ,covering regulatory requirements for the emission of smoke from a chimney of a building within a smoke control area.

Landlords will be responsible in ensuring the following, and installers may be requested for advice on the subject:

y Ensure carbon monoxide alarm is situated in the same room as the heating appliances

y Ensure carbon monoxide alarms and smoke alarms are repaired or replaced once informed and found to be faulty

y Continue to ensure each storey of the home where living accommodation is present has a smoke alarm fitted.

There is further information on landlord responsibilities is available at Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022: guidance for landlords and tenants.

Responsibilities of Landlords

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has published guidance supporting the requirements for smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in all rented homes and carbon monoxide alarms when heating appliances are installed in new and existing homes.

In line with the aforementioned updates in document ADJ, the key changes are that now smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms will be compulsory in social housing and privately rented homes in rooms with any fixed combustion appliance (excluding gas cookers). These requirements began on the 1st of October, therefore, it would be prudent to inform landlords that carbon monoxide alarms must be fitted when performing any safety checks or routine maintenance.

Where do CO alarms need to be located?

The regulations do not stipulate where the alarms should be placed, however it is best practice to ensure an alarm is located in an area that gives sufficient response time, upon activation for the occupants to vacate the building. As described earlier, carbon monoxide alarm should be installed in every room which is used as living accommodation containing a fixed combustion appliance (excluding gas cookers).

Landlords should follow the individual manufacturer’s instructions when installing the alarms. However, ADJ provides additional guidance, stipulating that carbon monoxide alarms should be positioned at approximately 1-3 metres away from the appliance, at least 150mm below ceiling level, and not situated in any dead zones (i.e. side of chimney breast).

In July 2022, the building regulations were updated to extend the provisions and better define guidance for carbon monoxide alarms. The main major change is that the scope has been extended to include gas and oil appliances to paragraph 1.1(c), in- line with the current requirements for CO alarms for solid fuel heating appliances. This now means it is mandatory to provide a carbon monoxide alarm when installing any fixed combustion appliance (excluding gas cookers) with responsibility for compliance remaining with the relevant installer. The update also introduces the 2021 Environment act to the advice regarding the Clean Air Act:1993 ,covering regulatory requirements for the emission of smoke from a chimney of a building within a smoke control area.

Landlords will be responsible in ensuring the following, and installers may be requested for advice on the subject:

y Ensure carbon monoxide alarm is situated in the same room as the heating appliances

y Ensure carbon monoxide alarms and smoke alarms are repaired or replaced once informed and found to be faulty

y Continue to ensure each storey of the home where living accommodation is present has a smoke alarm fitted.

There is further information on landlord responsibilities is available at Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022: guidance for landlords and tenants