A government review into rules that require carbon monoxide
alarms to be fitted in homes across England has been announced by
Housing Minister Dominic Raab.
Building Regulations require the safe installation of combustion
appliances in all properties, new and existing, regardless of fuel
used or tenure and from 2010, these regulations have also required
carbon monoxide alarms when solid fuel burning appliances are
installed.
In 2015 the government introduced new regulations requiring
private rented sector landlords in England to have a carbon
monoxide alarm in any room used as living accommodation where solid
fuel is used.
The review will examine the regulations closely to establish
whether they remain fit for purpose. This will include whether
there should be a blanket requirement to install alarms for all
methods of heating, including gas and oil.
The review will also consider whether the cost of alarms is
affecting installation rates and will look at new research into the
number of carbon monoxide poisonings.
The announcement follows on-going discussions between ministers
at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and
Eddie Hughes MP, who has called for extending the regulations to
cover all social housing tenants and all combustion appliance
types.
No timetable has been announced at this stage and further
details of the review's terms of reference will be announced later
this year and any reforms recommended by this review will be
subject to further consultation and scrutiny.