Chimney Specialist

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

MAKE SURE YOU ARE NOT AT RISK OF CO POISONING

Heating appliances fuelled by coal, smokeless fuels wood and oil can be just as likely as gas appliances to cause carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning if they are poorly installed,faulty or incorrectly used. CO poisoning is mostly caused by inadequate ventilation or a lack of correct maintenance of appliances, flues and chimneys. Some incidents are also due to incorrect installation or deterioration of the structure of the chimney. Poisonous CO gas is produced when fuel does not burn properly. You can die from CO poisoning, or your health can be permanently damaged.

CO gas is odourless and tasteless, so you wont know when it is present.It can kill or maim without warning in a matter of hours. You are particularly vulnerable when you are asleep. The elderly and the young are particularly at risk.

The early symptoms of CO poisoning include- tiredness, drowsiness, headache, dizziness, chest pains and nausea.

MAKE SURE YOU ARE NOT AT RISK OF CO POISONING

DO .......

- Have your appliance installed and regularly checked and maintained for safety by a competent engineer;

- use the wrong fuel for your appliance;

empty ash from solid fuel appliances regularly, as the fire may not burn properly and this may also damage the appliance;

allow non competent people to install or maintain your appliance or sweep your chimney;

have your chimneys swept very regulary (at least once a year), even if you burn smokeless fuel;

block or obstruct ventilation grilles or air bricks which provide fixed air paths;

have your chimneys swept after any prolonged period when the appliance has not been in use;

block or obstruct flue outlets or chimneys;

clean the appliance flueways monthly and have flue pipes connecting appliances to chimneys swept regularly, in accordance with manufactures instructions.

cover an appliance or block the hot air outlets;

use your appliance if you think it or its chimney is not working properly. Signs to look for are fumes or smoke in the house, slower then usual burning, evidence of sooting, difficulty in lighting, and staining around the appliance casing, Particularly if you are suffering from any of the symptoms mentioned.