Helping gas operatives identify when carbon monoxide is present in a property

(14/11/2006)

Specialist gas industry consultancy Downstream Gas Limited and CORGI are working together to improve safety for UK gas consumers, by helping gas operatives identify when carbon monoxide (CO) is present in a property, through the publication of a new guide.

‘Using Portable Electronic Combustion Gas Analysers for Investigating Reports of Fumes’ is invaluable in informing operatives how to use portable electronic combustion gas analysers to identify situations where carbon monoxide is escaping, or threatens to escape, downstream of the meter.

Following on from their roles in the development of the British Standard BS 7967, published in late 2005, Downstream Gas and CORGI teamed up to prepare a guide for competent gas operatives to use when responding to reports of fumes/smells in properties. ‘Using Portable Electronic Combustion Gas Analysers for Investigating Reports of Fumes’ takes the British Standard 7967 Parts 1, 2 and 3 and translates it into an easy-to-digest handbook, so operatives can use the analyser to supplement their existing competence and offer the consumer a more comprehensive safety service.

Mike Thompson of Downstream Gas says: “Only now does suitable and consistent guidance exist for the operative to approach the threat of toxic CO within a dwelling with appropriate instrumentation, applied in a manner agreed by the gas industry. This is a significant step towards improving safety in the home and should help avoid further CO-related tragedies in the UK.”

Recommending the publication to competent gas operatives as one of its gas installer manuals, CORGI has acknowledged the important part a correctly used analyser can play to maximise safety in the home.

Meanwhile, Downstream Gas is developing training that will provide gas operatives with the required skills to respond effectively to reports of fumes.

Mike Thompson adds: "CO is a killer of stealth that remains a primary concern throughout the gas industry. Our guide has been written with the express intention of tackling the problem by giving operatives effective tools to measure the levels of this insidious substance."

To obtain a copy of the publication, phone CORGIdirect.

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