Carbon monoxide
Every year people needlessly die or become seriously ill due to carbon monoxide poisoning.
By allowing us to service your gas or solid fuel appliances every year you could prevent the deaths of you and your loved ones.
Carbon monoxide is an extremely poisonous gas that is produced when gas, solid fuel and wood burning appliances are not correctly installed and maintained.
The gas is produced whenever the fuels are burned with an insufficient air supply. This is caused by faulty, poorly maintained appliances or a lack of ventilation.
Ventilation in the form of wall grilles, door grilles and floor grilles is installed to provide a supply of fresh air to the appliance.
Never cover, restrict, block or remove any air grilles as this will affect the performance of your appliance and it could lead to carbon monoxide production.
Although carbon monoxide has no colour or smell and you cannot see it, smell it or taste it. Warning signs that indicate it is being produced could include:
- Yellow or orange rather than blue flames (apart from living flame fuel effect fires which display this colour flame)
- Soot or yellow/brown staining around or on appliances
If you think your appliance is producing carbon monoxide you must:
- Switch off the appliance and do not reuse the appliance until the problem has been dealt with.
- Shut off the gas supply at the meter control valve (if you know where it is).
- If gas continues to escape call National Grid on the Gas Emergency Freephone Number 0800 111 999
- Open all doors and windows to ventilate the room - do not sleep in it
Where your appliance is installed in a cupboard or compartment, never use the space for storage as this can restrict the air grilles and will result in the area being a fire hazard.
