The recently published 2010 Edition of the Part J Approved Document (AD J) takes effect on 1st October in England and Wales. It will require – for the first time - a carbon monoxide alarm in the same room as a new or replacement fixed solid fuel heating appliance.

Under AD J, CO alarms can be either hard-wired mains or battery powered. Although battery CO alarms are simpler to retrofit in existing homes, they are not the answer for new dwellings. This is already recognised in national domestic fire safety regulations around the UK – such as Part B. They require hard-wired, mains smoke alarms with back-up - preferably sealed-in to eliminate the risk of battery removal, an essential facility for rented homes.

Another missed lesson from the fire regulations is that they do not attempt to predict specific sources of fire but cover all situations. Mandatory smoke alarms in all new housing provide an effective, low-cost means of detecting and warning of fire, irrespective of its source. By its very nature, carbon monoxide justifies exactly the same approach and Part J should demand CO alarms in every new home, not just with solid fuel heating. And similar measures are justified for existing homes, although they will have to come from legislation other than Building Regulations. 

Responsible developers and housing providers are increasingly taking an holistic approach to carbon monoxide and fire safety, with alarm installations well in excess of Building Regulations. Facilities such as Kidde’s Smart Interconnect enable comprehensive systems of hard-wired, interconnected smoke, heat and CO alarms for whole-house protection.