O’Connor seeks carbon monoxide regulations review

Following a spate of deaths attributed to the poisonous gas, Ald Danny O’Connor asked the local authority’s environmental services department to investigate if the current legislation is fit for purpose.

Officers reported that building regulations set minimum standards for the installation of combustion appliances, but apart from gas installations there was no ongoing requirement placed on landlords to maintain them.

“There does appear to be a gap, particularly in the private rented sector, in relation to the routine maintenance of solid fuel and oil burning appliances,” the report stated. “There is a duty to repair, but not to maintain.”

Ald O’Connor moved that the council should write to the relevant Stormont department to highlight the loophole and to seek a review of the legislation to ensure that all heating appliances are adequately maintained to ensure the protection of occupiers.

n The merit of having a carbon monoxide detector fitted was underlined at the DUP East Antrim constituency office in Carrickfergus last Wednesday afternoon.

The premises, which MP and Minister of Finance Sammy Wilson shares with fellow MLAs David Hilditch and Alastair Ross, were evacuated as a safety precaution after an alarm was triggered.

Two Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service tenders responded and a Phoenix gas engineer also attended the Lancasterian Street address.

It is understood that while no traces of the potentially fatal gas were detected in the office, small levels were being emitted from the boiler, which was immediately isolated.

Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service station officer Mark Beresford, who led the operation said while there was a trace of CO “it was not a dangerous level”.

He praised office staff for “doing the right thing” by ventilating the building and getting out.

Mr Hilditch, who was on his way to the office as the drama unfolded, said: “The monitor sounded an alarm and the Fire Service and Phoenix Gas attended the scene. It was reading 12 in and around the boiler area: it should read zero and the maximum should be four. It was 300 per cent above what is allowed.”

Mr Hilditch also paid tribute to his quick-thinking office staff for the steps they took last Wednesday afternoon.

“They were congratulated for doing everything they should do. They opened the windows and left the premises. It did not cause a major panic.”

The Assembly member added the incident illustrated the value of having appropriate devices fitted in buildings.

“It highlights how serious these things can be and to take care.”

The boiler was expected to remain out of use until a gas safe registered installer had a chance to inspect it and fix any faults.

Commending the occupants for having a monitor fitted, Phoenix also took the opportunity to stress the importance of safe practice in relation to boilers, etc.

Simon Little, Phoenix Communications manager, told the TIMES: “Any appliance that burns a fossil fuel such as oil, coal or gas can emit carbon monoxide, which is colourless, odourless and has no taste. It can exist in a property if you have a faulty appliance or a room that is not properly ventilated.

“We commend the East Antrim DUP for having a detector on their premises and would advise readers to purchase one if they have not already done so. However it is important to note that having a detector must not be seen as a substitute for having your appliances serviced once a year in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.”

The Health and Safety Executive recently launched a campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning, advising anyone with a fossil fuel burning appliance to have it properly installed and serviced annually. It followed the deaths last August in Castlerock of two youths from carbon monoxide poisoning.