Why You Need two Carbon Monoxide Alarms
- nas638
- Apr 11
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 15
Last week we were called out to a commercial customers venue to check on their boiler system as it was not functioning properly.
Staff at the venue had noticed that the Carbon Monoxide alarm on the system was active and assumed that it was malfunctioning and therefore ignored it.
When we were called out, we ran our usual thorough checks and assessments and found there to be very high levels of Carbon Monoxide (795 parts per million) and this was causing their boiler system to malfunction.
While we understand that there was a level of staff error at play here, this situation could have been easily and cheaply avoided by installing a second Carbon Monoxide alarm.
The logic here is that it can be easy to assume that a single alarm is failing, but if you have two installed and they are both active, then the likelihood of them both malfunctioning at the same time is so tiny that the alarm signal has to be accepted as genuine.
In a commercial setting, safety is paramount as the risks are significant.
Lets explore them:
The Immediate Safety Risks:
Undetected Carbon Monoxide (CO) Accumulation:
Without a second alarm, legitimate alarms indicating elevated CO levels could be dismissed, potentially leading to dangerously high CO concentrations.
Health Hazards:
Elevated CO levels (>200 ppm) can cause headaches, fatigue, impaired cognitive function, dizziness, and nausea. At higher concentrations (>500 ppm), symptoms worsen significantly, potentially resulting in unconsciousness or death.
Reduced Alertness and Productivity:
Even moderate increases in CO levels can impair employee performance, concentration, and decision-making abilities, leading to accidents, errors, and reduced overall productivity.
The Legal and Regulatory Consequences:
Non-compliance with Health & Safety Regulations:
Ignoring or failing to adequately investigate an alarm could result in violations of workplace safety laws (e.g., UK Health and Safety at Work Act, OSHA in the US). This could lead to enforcement actions, fines, or legal liabilities.
Liability for Injuries or Illness:
If employees or visitors suffer health consequences due to negligence, the company could face serious legal claims, damages, or litigation costs.
Insurance Implications:
Insurers may deny claims related to incidents arising from ignored or improperly handled safety alarms, potentially leading to substantial financial losses.
The Reputational Damage:
Loss of Trust:
Employees, customers, and regulatory bodies may lose confidence in management’s commitment to safety, leading to internal dissatisfaction, external criticism, and potential negative publicity.
Long-term Impact:
Significant safety incidents or violations can permanently harm an organization’s reputation, affecting recruitment, customer relationships, and profitability.
The Operational Consequences:
Forced Closure or Downtime:
In the event of an accident or regulatory investigation, commercial operations could be halted temporarily or permanently, disrupting business continuity.
Costly Emergency Response:
Emergency services intervention due to an ignored alarm scenario may result in unnecessary resource deployment, charges for call-outs, or additional fines.
Your Second Carbon Monoxide Alarm
Ignoring a potentially faulty CO alarm carries the above significant risks and liabilities; proactive verification and management are essential to ensure employee safety, operational continuity, and legal compliance.
The above list of are potentially costly in terms of both money and reputation and are easily solved by regular planned testing and the installation of a second twin alarm as a failsafe.
To make sure that your venue is operating safely, legally and profitably, you can arrange your system assessment by one of our experts by calling 0161 413 6156 or emailing us at info@timesgroupltd.com.
