Domestic gas appliances in buildings with low ventilation rates have been linked to potential concentrations of carbon monoxide (CO), according to the latest report.

The investigation has been carried out by the Institution of Gas Engineers & Managers and the Gas Safety Trust, undertaken by the Health & Safety Executive’s Health and Safety Laboratory.

The study tested four different domestic gas appliances: a standard gas fire which requires a flue, a portable cabinet heater, a wall-mounted flueless gas fire and a four ring hob single oven gas cooker.

They concluded that there was no increased CO poisoning risk linked directly to low ventilation levels, as long as the appliances were installed correctly to the recommended instructions of the manufacturer and are then maintained correctly.

However, the report did outline a number of areas that need further work to be undertaken, for example the impact of poorly maintained appliances, or the dangers of using alternative heating fuels like wood or different solid fuels.

Although the investigation primarily focused on CO concentrations, they also found increased emissions of carbon dioxide from gas appliances which may also result in more research being conducted in the area.

Chris Bielby, Chairman of GST, said that the report backs up the Gas Safety Trust’s view that customers must make sure their gas appliances are installed properly, serviced regularly and used appropriately in line with the instructions of the manufacturers.

He added that they also recommend using audible CO alarms that are tested to the European standard EN 50291 as a further line of defence.

Mr Bielby also said that there is a requirement for more investigations to be carried out in the field of fossil fuels and that the Gas Safety Trust is interested in receiving research propositions from applicants who are suitably qualified.

IGEM’s Ian McCluskey said that this study once again proves that the correct standards should always be met.