Legal requirements and ‘best practice’ recommendations vary throughout the UK and Ireland and new,
more rigorous legislation has just come into force in England. The underlying principal of all relevant Health and Safety regulation and advice, however, is that commercial premises should provide a safe and healthy environment for any occupant or visitor.
Key elements of existing regulation include:
• In Scotland, England and Wales the current mandatory standard dictates that when a solid fuel
appliance is installed, a carbon monoxide detector must also be installed.
• Since 1st October 2013, Scottish landlords must install a carbon monoxide detector whenever:
a) Any new gas appliance is installed
b) Any gas appliance is moved
c) Any fuel appliance flue passes through bedrooms
• In Scotland, new standards for non-domestic residential properties dictate that where there is a
fuel burning source in any part of the building, then a carbon monoxide detector, with the ability
to communicate with the front desk or building manager must be installed. This legislation applies
to a wide range of buildings including hospitals, care homes, nursing homes and employee
accommodation.
• In addition, Civil Law imposes a duty on organisations to take all reasonable measures to ensure the
safety and wellbeing of all those affected by their activities.
Northern Ireland was the first country in the UK to require carbon monoxide alarms to be fitted in all homes with appliances that burn fuels. A detector must be installed in any home in the country when a combustion appliance is put in or replaced. The rules in Northern Ireland are not restricted to new homes and apply to solid fuel, gas and oil burning appliances.