Frequently Asked Questions

What do I do if I suspect I have CO Poisoning?
Either get out the house or place where the poisoning is occurring (e.g. Workplace, garage, etc.) or if you can't, open all windows and doors and turn off all appliances. You should ring the Gas Emergency Service on 0800111999 but see next para. You should also visit your GP or casualty as soon as possible for a blood or breath test for CO. Arterial blood is NOT necessary. However, CO can quickly leave the blood in a live body so if your test is negative, do not assume your appliances are safe. A visit to a doctor may be helpful to prove CO poisoning. If exposure to CO is severe hyperbaric oxygen (oxygen under pressure) is often recommended.

What do I do if I have a gas emergency?
Call The National Gas Emergency Service Helpline on 0800 111999 - However you must be aware that emergency operatives do not have the equipment to check appliances for CO. In our opinion, this is like sending someone to check for radioactivity without a Geiger counter. The Gas Emergency Service will ‘make safe’ by testing for natural gas and turning off the appliance or the gas supply. They have a duty to 'make safe' from CO but no equipment to test your appliances for CO. They use visual signs to check for CO, which cannot be sensed using human senses! The CO could be coming from an unsuspected appliance or from next door.

Why do I need to know if there is CO
To make sure that the correct appliance has been identified and ideally disconnected until it is put right. Sometimes the dirty looking appliance is safer but the clean one is not. Sometimes the CO has been coming from next door and not from your appliances. You may also need proof of CO if you are thinking of bringing a legal case later against someone such as a landlord or negligent CORGI installer.

Can CO pass between houses?
Yes, through a joint chimney or attic for example.

How do I find someone to test for CO?
Usually with great difficulty. Try telephoning local CORGI installers (look in Yellow Pages or ring CORGI 012563 72200. Ask any CORGI installer if they have flue gas analysers and if they do, ask if they would be willing to undertake a test for CO*. If you cannot find anyone to do this, telephone CORGI 012563 72200 or if you receive no help from CORGI you could try us on 01372 466135. However, please note that we are a very small charity with limited resources. Please note that an investigation for CO, which will involve a report and an expert witness for a court case, will cost about £1,800 pounds. However, if you can find someone to test for CO and they find amounts of CO which would cause a CO alarm to sound or your CO alarm has alarmed (not just beeped) and you have suffered symptoms, which are moderate or severe, then in our opinion it would be advisable to think about contacting an expert to investigate and undertake a report. If you are instructing an expert to undertake an investigation and report, it is vital not to allow anyone to touch the offending appliance, other than to turn it off and/or disconnect.

If I find someone to test for CO what should I ask him/her?
Ask if they are Gas Safe registered and check this with the Gas Safe Register. Ask how much they will charge for the test and if they will give you a written result. Ask also what their qualifications are for testing for CO. They should have done CPA1 but there is a fumes investigaton course called CMDDA1 but at the time of writing (March 1010) this isn't even ready to be taught yet although we have been lobbying for this for about 15 years. There is a City and Guilds fumes investigation course but this is basically only done by British Gas employees.

Why does the result need to be given in writing ideally?
In our experience, doctors do not believe you if you say “my gas installer says I’ve been suffering from CO poisoning”. However, doctors do believe parts per million (ppm) of CO. Also, if you need to sue, it is almost essential to have a reading of ppm in writing. Of course, a blood or breath test on you can also be used to prove CO poisoning. However, this does not prove where the CO was coming from and therefore may leave you at risk from an unsuspected appliance or from next door.

If I have been poisoned is there anything else I should do?
Yes. Please do not forget to visit your doctor and make sure any member of your family, who may have been affected also visits their GP. Even if the CO has not been established, it is important to inform your doctor of the symptoms. This can help with a correct diagnosis and it can also help you to prove your case. Being brave may be laudable but in court you may be made to look ridiculous and be asked, ‘you say you felt bad you thought you were dying, yet you did not seek medical advice?’

I am thinking of bringing a legal case against my landlord and/or Gas Safe Registered installer. What should I do?
Make sure you have obtained as much evidence as possible by visiting your GP or casualty as soon as possible after exposure (e.g. within minutes and certainly within an hour or so) and ask for a breath and/or blood test for CO. Make sure the appliances are not removed or tampered with in any way, other than to disconnect or turn off. If you are sure you have been exposed to CO (positive blood test of high levels or test of appliances shows high levels) you could contact us for a list of lawyers (victim or union recommended) and some gas experts for investigation and court expert witness work. Litigation is usually hard and should not be entered into lightly. However, if you have been poisoned and this has been caused by someone’s negligence (and not by your own negligence e.g. by failing to have appliances serviced), then, in our opinion, litigation should be considered. The more evidence you have, the easier it will be to obtain the services of a good lawyer with perhaps a ‘no win no fee’ arrangement.