Check out what you ned to know if you suspect fumes are escaping from your combustion appliance into your home, or your carbon monoxide alarm goes off.
* Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions
Please make sure you read our two other important Consumer Advice pages before you use your new stove: Before Your Purchase & After Your Purchase
Early symptoms of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning can be similar to many common ailments and easily be confused with flu, viral infections, food poisoning, or simply tiredness. Symptoms include:
If you suspect fumes are escaping from your combustion appliance into your home, or your carbon monoxide alarm goes off:
Before you re-use the appliance, have it inspected and the chimney checked by a HETAS Registered Installer, HETAS Approved Servicing and Maintenance Technician or Approved Chimney Sweep. Do not use the appliance until you are told it is safe to do so.
Your installer may need to fit a wall ventilator for extra combustion air. HETAS have approved a selection of vents, available to view at www.hetas.co.uk /find-appliance
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a toxic gas produced by poor combustion. Faulty combustion appliances including gas, oil & solid fuel can emit CO, usually accompanied by smoke in a solid fuel appliance. In some conditions this can be tasteless & odourless.
Solid fuels including wood are safe to burn in appliances that are installed and maintained properly. Where incidents of CO poisoning occur from solid fuel appliances, the most common fault by far is failure to maintain or service the appliance and failure to get the chimney swept properly.
We strongly advise that all installations, servicing and sweeping are carried out by HETAS Approved businesses
Building Regulations in England & Wales make it compulsory to fit a CO alarm when a new or replacement solid fuel appliance is fitted in a dwelling. HETAS recommend the CO alarm is installed by a HETAS Registered Installer to ensure it complies with Building Regulations (standard BS EN 50291).
For a list of Carbon Monoxide alarms recommended by HETAS www.hetas.co.uk/consumer/services/products/search/
Ceiling mounted alarms - should be placed at least 300mm from any wall and between 1 metre and 3 metres horizontally from the appliance.
Wall mounted alarms - should be at least 150mm from the ceiling. If there is need to install on a wall with windows or doors, locate the alarm as high above these as possible, but still at least 150mm from the ceiling. Place between 1 metre and 3 metres horizontally from the appliance. If in a room with a sloping ceiling, locate alarm towards the highest side of the room.
CO Alarms must be in a permanent, fixed position and located in the same room as the appliance in line with approved document J, as pictured above.
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