Proposals to extend the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Regulations (England) 2015 and the provisions in Building Regulations Approved Document J for carbon monoxide alarms.
Objectives of the consultation
The Government review of carbon monoxide alarm requirements, which currently only cover solid fuel heating, gathered updated evidence to support a case to extend the requirements to oil and gas heating. A large proportion of those responding to the social housing Green Paper said they wanted consistent safety standards, including requirements for smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, whether renting privately or in social housing. Government considered the findings of the alarms review alongside responses to the Green Paper.
This consultation offered a comprehensive set of proposals to extend regulations to require smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in social housing, to make carbon monoxide alarms mandatory in rental properties with heating of any fuel type and to require carbon monoxide alarms upon the installation of a fixed heating appliance of any fuel type in any home.
This consultation was launched alongside publication of the Social Housing White Paper, which aimed to deliver real changes for social housing and to introduce a consistent set of alarm requirements.
The consultation closed on 11 January 2021.
Supporting papers
Download the consultation document below.
CIBSE response
CIBSE supports the proposals to extend the smoke alarm requirements to the social rented sector as well as the proposal to amend the statutory guidance (Approved Document J) supporting Part J of the Building Regulations to require carbon monoxide alarms to be fitted alongside the installation of fixed combustion appliances of any fuel type (excluding gas cookers). CIBSE believes it is a cost effective and simple measure to save lives and reduce hospital admissions.
You can download the full CIBSE responses below.