A Carbon Monoxide (CO) alarm is a safety device that detects carbon monoxide gas in your home, fitted and maintained by Solihull Community Housing.
Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless and tasteless gas that can be extremely dangerous and is often called the silent killer.
Carbon monoxide gas can be produced by faulty or poorly maintained fuel-burning appliances such as:
• gas or oil burners
• gas fires
• wood burning or multi-fuel stoves (log burners)
• open fires or coal fires.
The CO alarm monitors the air and will sound a loud warning if it detects dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. This gives you an early warning so you can take action to protect yourself and others in the property.
- A BS EN 50291 compliant CO alarm is installed in any room used as living accommodation, where there is a fixed combustion appliance (excluding kitchens). The alarm will be installed in accordance with manufacturer’s guidance, typically in the same room as the appliance and approximately 1–3 metres away from the source.
- The alarm is working at the start of your tenancy.
- If the alarm is reported as faulty, we will repair or replace this as soon as we can.
- Test your CO alarm at least once a month using the test button.
- If the alarm beeps intermittently, shows a fault light, does not respond during testing or is damaged and not working, please report this immediately by calling us on 0121 717 1515.
- Keep the alarm clean and free from dust.
- Do not cover, paint, relocate or tamper with it.
- Turn off appliances (if safe to do so).
- Open doors and windows to ventilate the area.
- Evacuate the property and get fresh air immediately.
- Report to National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999
- Do not re-enter the property until it has been checked and confirmed safe by a qualified person.
- Seek medical attention if anyone feels unwell (symptoms can include headaches, dizziness, nausea, breathlessness, or confusion).
- Report the incident to us as soon as possible by calling 0121 717 1515
