HSE Issues Safety Alert On Gas Appliance Flues In Ceiling Voids, UK

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 05 Oct 2008 - 0:00 PDT

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The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued a safety alert aimed at builders and developers, managing agents, landlords and occupiers of residential properties with gas central heating boilers sited on internal walls. The purpose of the alert is to raise awareness of a potential poisoning risk.

The risk arises from a particular arrangement of flues for gas boilers. Such boilers, most commonly found in multi-storey flats and apartments built since 2000, may have a flue that runs through the ceiling void. HSE has become aware that some flues may not have been installed properly, or may have fallen into disrepair.

If the flue is not in good condition, this could affect the performance of the boiler, which if not working efficiently, may produce high levels of carbon monoxide (CO). This may then enter the ceiling void through any breaks in the flue (e.g. if joints are not sealed properly) and into the living space below, placing occupants at risk of CO poisoning.

When commissioning, servicing or maintaining boilers, gas installers need to be able to visually check the flue system. Where a flue runs through a ceiling or similar void, a means of access should be provided at strategic locations. A number of properties built recently have not been provided with such means of access so it is not possible to tell if the flue was correctly installed or has subsequently deteriorated.

HSE is working with property developers, the gas industry and construction trade associations to try and establish how many properties may have been developed with flues in ceiling voids but without means of access for inspection, and to agree appropriate action. Relevant Government departments have also been alerted.

In the meantime, HSE's advice to property owners and landlords is to ensure gas appliances are serviced and maintained at least annually by a competent, registered installer. HSE also recommends the use of carbon monoxide alarms as a supplementary measure.

The safety alert gives advice on potential warning signs; what owners or tenants should do if they think they may be at risk; relevant legal requirements; key actions for property developers and sources of further information. The alert can be found on HSE's website at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/gas/domestic/alert021008.htm

Notes

1. CO is a poisonous gas produced by incomplete burning of carbon-based fuels. You cannot see, taste or smell CO, but it can kill and injure quickly, and without warning. For further information see: http://www.hse.gov.uk/gas/domestic/co.htm

2. The possibility that flues in some properties might be defective came to HSE's attention as a result of an ongoing investigation into a CO poisoning case at a development of apartments. One person died and a second remains in a coma. The development was only three or four months old. The flue from the boiler in the property ran through a ceiling void and it is believed that high levels of CO escaped through defects in this flue and entered the apartment.

3. Specific guidance on flues in ceiling voids is contained in a CORGI Technical Bulletin, Room-sealed fanned draught systems concealed within voids (TB200). It specifically mentions the need to install means of access to the flue at strategic locations to allow for visual inspection.

4. Gas installers or builders working in premises where this issue may be relevant should ensure they have a full and up to date knowledge of the guidance outlined in TB200. Copies can be obtained from CORGI's website at http://www.trustcorgi.com or by telephoning 0800 915 0485.

HSE