Standards Development

Scope

This European Standard specifies general requirements for the construction, testing and performance of electrically operated carbon monoxide gas detection apparatus, designed for continuous operation in domestic premises.

The objective is to detect defective fossil fuel or solid fuel appliances so that they can be repaired or replaced. The function of the standard is not to monitor low levels of CO for health purposes. (Annex F gives recommendations for units displaying low (warning) CO concentrations).

The apparatus may be mains-powered or battery-powered. Such apparatus is intended to warn of an acute level of CO, enabling the occupant to react before being exposed to significant risk. Additional requirements for apparatus to be used in recreational vehicles and similar premises are specified in EN 50291‑2. 

NOTE 1 For caravan holiday homes EN 50291‑1 applies. This European Standard specifies two types of apparatus, these are: — type A – to provide a visual and audible alarm and an executive action in the form of a transmittable output signal that can be used to actuate directly or indirectly a ventilation or other ancillary device; — type B – to provide a visual and audible alarm only.

NOTE 2 Both type A and type B apparatus can be interconnected. This European Standard excludes apparatus for: — the detection of combustible gases, other than carbon monoxide itself (see EN 50194‑1); — the detection of CO in industrial installations (see EN 45544‑1, EN 45544‑2 and EN 45544‑3) or commercial premises; — CO measurement for smoke and fire detection; — CO measurement in carparks and tunnels.

NOTE 3 See EN 50545‑1.

Purpose

A revision of EN 50291-1 is requested to take into account requests for devices to alarm at lower levels than those defined in the current 4 test gases to address concerns amongst organisations such as ANEC that the current standard’s alarm levels are too high. Reducing the alarm levels will better protect consumers, especially those from vulnerable groups against both chronic and acute affects of exposure to carbon monoxide.