Yesterday, the All-Party Parliamentary Carbon Monoxide Group (APPCOG) hosted a parliamentary workshop on ‘Carbon Monoxide Safety in Public Buildings: Strengthening Protections Beyond the Home’. The session explored how government, regulators, and industry can work together to close existing safety gaps and ensure consistent carbon monoxide (CO) protections across public and commercial spaces.

Chaired by Paul Davies MP, the discussion brought together representatives from local authorities, safety charities, alarms manufacturers, environmental health, and industry to identify practical measures to reduce CO risks in non-domestic environments such as schools, care homes, offices, and hospitality venues.

Participants examined the limitations of current UK regulations, which focus primarily on domestic settings and vary across the four nations. Stakeholders noted that while Scotland and Wales have expanded requirements for CO alarms, England continues to lag behind, with no provisions for gas cookers or rooms where flues pass through. Public buildings, meanwhile, are largely governed by general health and safety duties, leaving potential gaps in protection.

The workshop also explored the importance of product standards and enforcement, amid concerns about non-compliant alarms available on the market. Attendees discussed the ongoing review of European and British CO alarm standards—aimed at shortening activation times and allowing lower-level early warnings—and the need for market surveillance coordinated by the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS).

This workshop forms part of APPCOG’s ongoing programme of work on carbon monoxide safety, prevention, and policy development. The Group will continue to engage with stakeholders to support stronger CO protections across all building types.

If you are interested in contributing to this work or learning more about upcoming APPCOG events, please write to lavanya.rangarajan [at] policyconnect.org.uk (lavanya[dot]rangarajan[at]policyconnect[dot]org[dot]uk)