Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

at 16/03/2010 15:26

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service are warning the public to be aware of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning and consider installing an alarm following an incident in St Ives where an elderly gentleman was saved from the early effects of the potentially deadly colourless, odourless invisible gas.

Crews from St.Ives were called to the property when a carbon monoxide alarm was activated. The alarm is monitored by Carrick Lifeline who immediately contacted the Fire Service.

The elderly occupant was treated with oxygen by firefighters at the scene and was then taken by ambulance to hospital for observation.

The carbon monoxide is believed to have come from a portable gas fire which was not found to be faulty but, like all such appliances, requires sufficient ventilation.

“The weather continues to be chilly at night and people still need to fire up their central heating, use portable heating devices or light fires” Group Manager Shaun Roberts from Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service said “This can lead to problems such as in this case, where insufficient ventilation caused the portable gas fire to produce dangerous carbon monoxide. Luckily the carbon monoxide detector did its job and Carrick Lifeline was able to alert us promptly before the effects took a serious hold on the householder.”

People need to check their chimneys and flues to make sure that there are no blockages and to ensure that there is adequate ventilation for heating appliances. In addition, carbon monoxide detectors are available from stockists of smoke alarms and can provide an additional early warning system. Any one purchasing either a smoke or carbon monoxide detector should follow the fitting instructions provided with that detector.

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service Prevention Manager Sacha Wheatman said “These appliances require adequate ventilation and with homes today having double glazing and other insulation, it can sometimes happen that a gas fire or any other form of heating does not have the circulation of air needed to keep carbon monoxide at bay. Some people mistakenly think that it is only gas fuelled heating systems which can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. In fact, it can happen with any fossil fuel system if the system, which includes both the appliance and the flue, is faulty or the room is not properly ventilated.”

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service has issued these guidelines and tips on staying safe from carbon monoxide poisoning:

Ensure that any work carried out in relation to gas appliances in domestic or commercial premises is to be undertaken by a Gas Safe Registered engineer, competent in that area of work.
CFRS strongly advises that gas appliances and/or flues are installed and serviced regularly for safety by a Gas Safe Registered engineer. If you live in tenanted accommodation, your landlord has a legal duty to carry out an annual gas safety check and maintain gas appliances. They must provide you with a copy of the completed gas safety check certificate.
Always make sure there is enough fresh air in the room containing your gas appliance. If you have a chimney or a flue, ensure it is not blocked up and also ensure that vents are not covered.
If you plan to install a gas fire in a bedroom, use a Gas Safe Registered engineer; do not use unflued appliances like paraffin heaters and cabinet heaters.
Get your chimney swept from top to bottom at least once a year by a qualified sweep.
If you have appliances that use other fossil fuels, make sure they are serviced and maintained by a competent person.
Carbon monoxide detectors should comply with British Standard BS EN 50291 and carry a British or European approval mark such as a Kitemark - but remember they are only warning devices. Never rely on them entirely and do not use them as a substitute for regular servicing.
How do I know if I am at risk from carbon monoxide?

· Yellow or orange rather than blue flames (apart from fuel effect fires or flueless appliances which display this colour flame)

· Soot or yellow/brown staining around or on appliances

· Pilot lights that frequently blow out

· Increased condensation inside

Further guidance can be found on the HSE website www.HSE.gov.uk/gas/domestic and Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service pages on the Cornwall Council website www.cornwall.gov.uk/fire.

Related item: http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=7287