The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022 extended CO detection requirements to all rooms in England containing a gas appliance (excluding gas cookers). Care homes must have a CO alarm in every room with a gas boiler, gas fire or gas heater, and must test alarms regularly and maintain a written log.
Why this matters
Carbon monoxide is an immediate life-safety risk with no odour and no visible sign. Residents in care settings particularly those with cognitive impairment cannot be expected to identify CO exposure symptoms or raise an alarm. A CO death at premises without required detection creates criminal liability under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 as well as the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Regulations.
What to do
- 1Audit every room containing a gas appliance and confirm a CO alarm is installed and within its manufacturer's replacement date (typically 7 years).
- 2Test every CO alarm and record the test: location, date, test result, tester name. Maintain a CO alarm log alongside your fire safety log book.
- 3Replace any CO alarm within 12 months of its end-of-life date do not wait for failure. The replacement date is stamped on the back of most alarms.
- 4Confirm your gas emergency procedure includes the response to a CO alarm: immediate evacuation, call 999 and National Gas emergency line (0800 111 999), do not re-enter until a Gas Safe engineer has cleared the building.
Primary source
HSE Carbon Monoxide: Guidance for Duty Holders
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