CO-Gas Safety is an independent registered charity which works to try to reduce accidents from Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning and other gas dangers. We lobby for changes, which will help to achieve this. We also help and advise victims whenever we can.
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Where to find an alarm

alarmAs an extra safeguard, you can buy Carbon Monoxide (CO) alarms in any good home/DIY store. Battery operated detectors are also available for travelling or using in caravans, etc. An alarm should not cost you more than £20.

A British Standard was published on 1st March 1996, (number BS 7860/BS EN 50291) but was withdrawn in April 2006 and is no longer a valid standard for approval of products. The only standard which now applies in the UK (and across Europe) is the European Standard EN50291.

It is legal to sell alarms that comply to the British Standard BS7860 provided they are old stock manufactured before the deadline of April 2006.

900-0233UK 900-0230UK 900-0191UK 900-0211UK
Carbon Monoxide Alarm  Advanced Digital Display Carbon Monoxide Alarm  Plug-in Carbon Monoxide Alarm  Plug-in Carbon Monoxide Alarm with Digital Display
New compact design - can be wall-mounted or free-standing New compact design - can be wall-mounted or free-standing    
  Digital display continuously shows any danger levels detected    Digital display continuously shows danger levels detected 
  Peak level display recalls highest danger levels recorded Peak level memory alerts you if dangerous CO levels where detected during your absence Peak level display recalls highest danger levels recorded
  Backlight display allows CO levels to be viewed even when dark    
Kidde Proprietary Electrochemical sensor technology Kidde Proprietary Electrochemical sensor technology Kidde Proprietary Electrochemical sensor technology Kidde Proprietary Electrochemical sensor technology
Certified to British Standards and conforms to the latest European standard (EN 50291) Certified to British Standards and conforms to the latest European standard (EN 50291) Certified to British Standards and conforms to the latest European standard (EN 50291) Certified to British Standards and conforms to the latest European standard (EN 50291)
Easy to set up and use Easy to set up and use    
Battery operated - works even during a power-cut Battery operated - works even during a power-cut Battery back-up - works even during a power-cut Battery back-up - works even during a power-cut
Loud 85db alarm - to wake you as you are sleeping Loud 85db alarm - to wake you as you are sleeping Loud 85db alarm - to wake you as you are sleeping Loud 85db alarm - to wake you as you are sleeping
Batteries supplied as standard Batteries supplied as standard 9V back-up battery supplied as standard 9V back-up battery supplied as standard
Test/Reset button Test/Reset button Test/Reset button Test/Reset button
End of life warning signal alerts you when alarm needs replacing after 7 years End of life warning signal alerts you when alarm needs replacing after 7 years End of life warning signal alerts you when alarm needs replacing after 7 years End of life warning signal alerts you when alarm needs replacing after 7 years
Low battery warning chirp notifies you when the battery needs to be replaced Low battery warning chirp notifies you when the battery needs to be replaced Low battery warning chirp notifies you when the battery needs to be replaced Low battery warning chirp notifies you when the battery needs to be replaced
7 year manufacturers warranty 5 year manufacturers warranty 5 year manufacturers warranty 5 year manufacturers warranty

Manufacturers:

Sensotec 4-Warn (Tel. 08700 711 444 website: http://www.4-warn.com) Sensotec have produced the world’s first full range of battery & mains operated BS EN 50291:2001 approved and BSI Kitemarked Carbon Monoxide alarms. The new range provides many unique features including a 6 year guarantee, COHb alarm activation programming and an inbuilt automatic monthly gas test to ensure detector operation.

Honeywell Analytics (website: www.honeywellanalytics.com, email: dave@sfdwordwide.com, Contact Telephone:Freephone 08005 974 777). Honeywell Analytics provides the self contained SF450EN model for normal domestic use, which is officially approved to the latest EN50291 standard and kitemarked. It is also officially approved by CORGI. This unit has 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.

Dicon (Tel. 10452 714 999) Dicon offers the most comprehensive range of BS EN 50291 Kitemarked CO alarms available, ranging from a basic battery unity through to mains powered alarms with rechargeable battery backup. The alarms are packed with features to include a sensor that automatically self-tests using gas every month, replaceable sensor and a 6 year guarantee.

FireAngel Ltd (www.fireangel.co.uk, tel 024 7623 6600, email: sales@fireangel.co.uk) FireAngel carbon monoxide alarms are available through retailers and trade wholesalers. Outlets include Tesco, Boots, B&Q, Focus, Homebase, Waitrose and the Wolseley Parts and Plumb Centres. The digital carbon monoxide alarm displays a read out to CO and includes peak level memory.

EI (www.eielectronics.com, UK Hotline: 0151 298 1588 email: sales@eilltd.ie) EI Electronics manufacture in Ireland and are exclusively involved in the Residential Fire Safety Products Market incorporating Smoke Alarms, Carbon Monoxide Alarms and allied products. EI have a range of 8 Carbon Monoxide Alarms include EI 204EN Battery powered, EI 205EN Battery powered with memory feature. All models are approved to latest European standard (EN50291EN) and are available from Homebase, Sainsburys, Wilikinson, Robert Dyas from £19.99.

Kidde (www.kiddesafetyeurope.co.uk), Kidde’s retail range now consists of 9CO5UK, 900-014UK, 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.

First Alert/BRK (tel. 01275 845 024), Current models:FCD3 which is widely available in retail  Focus, Wal-Mart, Index, Makro etc plus the CO3000 which is available through electrical wholesalers. Both alarms are battery operated (battery included) and are guaranteed for 5 years. No need to change sensors with these models.

Please note: First Alert products are tested to UCL not BS or BSEU standards. UCL is the American version of a British Standard.

CO-Gas Safety is also trying to find the time and resources to undertake a comparison between the standards. However, CO-Gas Safety has not found or heard of anyone dying of CO who had any of the detectors which claimed to be BS, SBEU or UCL standards.

CoGDEM www.cogdem.org.UK

If you need a natural gas alarm these are available from CORGI tel 0800 915 and cost £89.80. Do let us know if you have any problems with this.

We do NOT recommend cheap black spot detectors because they do NOT have an audible alarm. This alarm could rouse you from a CO stupor and save your life. There is no British Standard for black spot detectors. Please not that the detectors with audible warnings to British Standards last five years so the cost of the initial purchase is not very high (around £20.00 in 2005).

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 included stupor and save your life or that of a loved one!

Copyright CO-Gas Safety, Lorien, Common Lane, Claygate, Surrey, KT10 0HY
Company Registration No. 03084435. Charity Registration No. 1048370.
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