Guidance

Carbon monoxide alarm requirements review: terms of reference

Published 26 October 2018

Applies to England

© Crown copyright 2018

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/carbon-monoxide-alarm-requirements-review-terms-of-reference/carbon-monoxide-alarm-requirements-review-terms-of-reference

1. Overall goal

The review will consider the evidence base to establish whether regulations currently limited to solid fuel appliances in the private rented sector and building regulations are fit for purpose or whether alarm requirements should be extended to the installation of oil and gas boilers and to social housing.

2. Scope

The scope of the review will consider the following legislative requirements

3. Focus of the review

The review will include consideration of the following evidence:

  • Improvements to and the falling cost of carbon monoxide alarms.
  • Any new evidence on the number of carbon monoxide incidents that the emergency services attend.
  • Any new research that shows whether carbon monoxide poisonings are wrongly diagnosed as something else and so under-reported by statistics.
  • Any new research on the effects of prolonged low-level carbon monoxide exposure on health.

4. Structure of the review

A Working Group of interested stakeholders and experts will be assembled to support the review including representation from the following:

  • Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government officials
  • National Housing Federation
  • Public Health England
  • Health and Safety Executive
  • Gas Safe Register
  • Building Regulations Advisory Committee
  • Representation from Landlord Associations
  • Gas Safety Trust
  • Academics undertaking research
  • Representation from the Fire and Ambulance services
  • Representation from the All-Party Parliamentary Carbon Monoxide Group

Analysts will update the evidence base using HM Treasury Green Book methodologies to help inform whether the cost benefit assessment supports the case to extend alarm requirements.

5. Timing

The review was announced on 30 April 2018.

The Terms of Reference is to be published and a Working Group to support the review formed in October 2018.

Government has now published its’ consultation on proposed changes to requirements.

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