HSE/584/W/07 16 October 2007

Bangor students given gas safety advice for carbon monoxide awareness week

For many students, going to University means they will be renting their own home for the first time. Marking the beginning of Carbon Monoxide Week students at Bangor University have been getting advice from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) on gas appliance safety at rented properties and the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Often referred to as ‘the silent killer’ CO is particularly dangerous because it cannot be detected - you cannot see, smell or taste the fumes.

Every year an average of 20 people die from carbon monoxide fumes as a result of faulty or poorly maintained gas appliances. Students are particularly vulnerable and landlords of rented properties are required by law to protect their tenants by ensuring gas appliances are maintained regularly and that gas safety certificates are provided.

HSE Inspector Gary Martin joined representatives from the University’s Student Services department to give advice to students on campus in Bangor.

He said: "Carbon monoxide can kill without warning in a matter of hours, and this week is all about raising awareness of the dangers of not having gas appliances installed and regularly serviced by a competent, CORGI registered engineer.

"For many students, gas safety may be the last thing they would think about, but it is essential that they obtain a gas safety certificate from their landlord which proves the appliances they use everyday have been serviced and are in good working order. Many do comply, but there are always some who choose not to."

Fran Tate, of Bangor University Student Services department said landlords who advertise student accommodation through the university are routinely asked to provide gas safety certificates.

She added: "Being vigilant when it comes to gas safety could well be a matter of life or death. We hold a lot of information in our office on gas safety and anyone with any concerns can contact student services for advice or speak to a letting agent where applicable."

By law, landlords must always have gas appliances in the properties they let regularly checked and serviced by a CORGI-registered installer and the tenant must be issued with a gas safety certificate. Other fossil fuel appliances should be checked and serviced by a suitably qualified engineer, eg approved by HETAS (for solid fuel appliances) or OFTEC (for oil appliances).

The advice to students is:

• Buy an audible CO alarm manufactured to a recognised British or European standard. Although this is not a substitute for proper installation and maintenance of gas appliances by a CORGI-registered installer - It could be an excellent investment.
• Don’t ignore possible symptoms of CO poisoning, such as a headache, nausea or unexplained drowsiness.  If these are suspected, seek urgent medical attention.

Notes to Editors

1. Campaign group CO Awareness has organised a week of awareness raising activities to highlight carbon monoxide poisoning. CO Awareness week will be launched on Monday 15 October.
2. HSE has responsibility for regulating consumer gas safety in GB and does this largely through the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 (GSIUR).These regulations place responsibilities on a wide range of people, including those installing, servicing, maintaining or repairing gas appliances and other gas fittings; as well as suppliers and users of gas systems/appliances. Statutory obligations are placed on landlords to maintain gas appliances that they own.
3. The law requires that anyone who works on gas appliances must be competent, and if they are doing the work as a business, i.e. employer or self-employed, they must be CORGI registered. An installer's CORGI ID card has details of the types of appliances that an installer is trained to work on.
4. Audible CO detectors with a British or European approval mark, such as a kite mark, are strongly recommended, although not a substitute for regular checks and servicing by a CORGI-registered installer.
5. Carbon monoxide (CO) is an issue that concerns a number of Government departments. A Ministerial Group on Gas Safety and CO has been set up to co-ordinate Government efforts on CO poisoning from all carbon - based fuels. The Carbon Monoxide Consumer Awareness Alliance (COCAA) formed in February 2007 brings together organisations across all fuel types to raise awareness of CO.
6. In July 2007 HSE announced a competition to run a new gas installer registration scheme to improve gas safety standards. The overall objective of the gas installer registration scheme is to ensure safe standards of gas work that contributes to consumer gas safety. CORGI (Council of Registered Gas Installers) is currently approved byHSE to undertake this task and maintain and up-to date register of gas installers who are qualified to install or repair gas fittings and appliances. More information on the gas installer registration scheme is available at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2007/e07029.htm

Issued on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive by Government News Network Wales.