The Gas Safety Trust’s Carbon Monoxide Trends Report recently released reveals that older gas appliances pose a greater risk to CO incidents, with more than two thirds of CO incidents reported involved central heating appliances, of which 50% were older central heating boilers.

The data also demonstrates the benefits of the introduction of new legislation. Regular non-condensing boilers have featured prominently in the reporting of CO incidents since 1996, whereas incidents involving the new high efficiency condensing boilers have been rare in the last 6 years.

The report also highlights a worrying trend in terms of standards compliance. Since 1996 there has been a steady increase in the number of installations reported in incidents, found not to comply with standards, suggesting that best practice is not being followed. This has become more apparent since 2001. The most frequent category of defect reported has consistently been ventilation.

The evidence suggests that a greater number of CO incidents have tended to involve appliances for which no service contract is in place – the most frequent cause of incidents established following investigation has been lack of servicing.

Nigel Dumbrell, Head of Charitable Operations for the Gas Safety Trust said “The involvement of older boilers in reportable CO incidents remains an issue. Older boilers can continue to operate safely for a significant time if serviced and maintained regularly. However, the report suggests that such servicing is not being done or that owners are waiting for them to cease operating before replacing them.”

The Gas Safety Trust is suggesting that an incentive to owners to encourage replacement would increase safety and promoting more efficient energy usage.

The report also highlights that unregistered operatives are still a problem, as the number of incidents reported involving them remains high.