Where to find an alarm

As an extra safeguard, you can buy carbon monoxide (CO) alarms in DIY stores, supermarkets or from your gas supplier. Battery operated alarms are also available for travelling, or using in caravans, boats and tents. An alarm should cost you around £20.

The approval standard which now applies in the UK (and across Europe) is the European Standard EN 50291.

Manufacturers (in alphabetical order):

AICO (www.aico.co.uk , Tel. 0870 758 40, email: enquiries@aico.co.uk ) Offers sealed powered for life units which include the Ei208W and Ei 208WD series, they can be upgraded or supplied with RF modules to provide wire free connections between the alarms, so if one alarm sounds then all in the system will sound. Plus a range of hardwired mains powered alarms with and without digital displays, such as the Ei225EN, Ei261DENRC and the Ei262 series. All AICO alarms are certified to BS EN 50291 and available from electrical wholesalers, heat and plumbing centres, etc. Full product details online visit www.aico.co.uk
BRK/Dicon (www.brk.co.uk , Tel. 01452 887570, email sales@brk.co.uk) Using the latest electrochemical sensing technology, BRK/ Dicon carbon monoxide alarms are designed for domestic use. The comprehensive range consists of mains or battery powered alarms. The alarms are packed with features and include a sensor that automatically self-tests and has a 6 year guarantee. All are certified to BS EN 50291. For full product details online visit www.brk.co.uk
Ei Electronics (www.eielectronics.com, Tel. 0151 298 1588, email: sales@eielectronics.ie )  Ei Electronics manufactures in Ireland and the company is exclusively involved in the manufacture of  residential smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms and allied products. Ei’s wide range of carbon monoxide alarms include Ei 204EN battery powered, the new Ei 207 and Ei207D with LCD readout which shows CO concentration from 10ppm. All models are approved to EN 50291, and available from retailers such as Homebase, Sainsburys, Wilkinson, Robert Dyas. Full details on www.eielectronics.com
FireAngel (www.fireangel.co.uk, Tel 02476 323232, email: sales@fireangel.co.uk ) FireAngel manufactures long lasting CO alarms for the UK market. The alarms can be powered by either a replaceable battery or sealed for life power pack. The alarms not only feature the option of a 7 year life guarantee, but on some models there’s the ability to run diagnostic reports to prove if an alarm was activated, at what level and when. The digital alarm will show low level CO readings (which can be dangerous over an extended period of time). They can be bought at leading retailers such as B&Q, Tesco, Robert Dyas, Mothercare or Boots. All products are certified to BE EN 50291 For full product details and ability to purchase online visit www.fireangel.co.uk
First Alert (www.firstalert.eu, Tel. 01452 887570, email sales@firstalert.eu ), From the manufacturer of the world’s first smoke alarm, this concise range of CO alarms include 3 products powered by a replaceable battery. The entry product is compact and lightweight; the digital alarm shows current CO levels on screen and the combined CO and smoke alarm offers dual protection from smoke and CO poisoning. The First Alert range is available in retailers such as Robert Dyas, Makro and B&Q. All products are certified to BE EN 50291. For full product details online visit www.firstalert.eu
Honeywell Analytics (www.honeywellanalytics.com, Tel. 0800 597 4777, email: dave@sfdworldwide.com )  Honeywell Analytics provides the self contained SF450EN model for normal domestic use, which is officially approved to the latest EN50291 standard and kitemarked. These units have a full 6 year guarantee and up to 7 year operational life with no need for any replacement parts or batteries and all in a compact, aesthetic and tamperproof design. To purchase, please call the freephone number above – full mail order facilities available. Your unit will be with you within 24-48 hours
Kidde (www.kiddesafetyeurope.co.uk), Kidde’s retail range now consists of 900-0259UK, 900-0260UK, 900-0233UK, 900-0230UK, 900-0191UK and 900-0211UK. Please note that each of the above products are approved to latest European standard (EN50291). Information, including data sheets for the above are available on website.
CoGDEM www.cogdem.org.UK  CoGDEM is a trade association – this is the professional organisation that CO alarm manufacturers are members of, so that the industry can speak with one voice and standards can be maintained.  CoGDEM also represents manufacturers of other gas measuring instruments such as flue gas analysers and workplace monitors.

If you need a natural gas alarm these are available from Honeywell (contact details above).
We do NOT recommend cheap black spot detectors because they do NOT have an audible alarm. There is no British or European Standard for black spot detectors, they only last a few months, and they have been found to be unreliable. An audible alarm could rouse you from a CO stupor and save your life.  At around £20, an audible alarm will save you money over its lifetime (5-7 years) compared with the black spot detectors that have to be replaced every few months.
Also, Ann Brennan aged 19, a Durham student, had a black spot detector and it didn’t save here from dying from CO. An audible alarm could rouse you from a CO induced stupor and save your life, or that of a loved one!