Hamilton Welcomes NIHE Carbon Monoxide Detectors

“I welcome the announcement today that all of these detectors will be installed in these xa0NI Housing Executive properties and the swift action taken by the Social Development Minister in implementing this review after the call was made last August. [caption id="attachment_20140" align="alignleft" width="223" caption="Strangford MP Simon Hamilton MLA has welcomed moves by the DSD to install 3000 carbon monoxide indicators in NIHE homes"][/caption] “The installation of these detectors will provide some reassurance for Housing Executive tenants who have solid fuel glass fronted fires in their homes. It is also important however, that anyone with other heating systems such as gas central heating ensure that their boilers are regularly serviced by qualified and registered engineers.” Attwood Takes Action On Carbon Monoxide Danger In NIHE Homes Following tragic deaths from carbon monoxide last year, DSD Minister Alex Attwood had instructed the Housing Executive to conduct a review of safety in its properties. Alex Attwood said,xa0“The Housing Executive has provided me with an initial response to my instruction for a review. By 31st March this year, 943 of the remaining 3,665 Housing Executive properties with glass fronted room heater fires will have had their heating systems replaced. The remaining 2,722 properties will have carbon monoxide detectors fitted and all will be scheduled in maintenance programmes to have their heating systems replaced next year. “I have asked the Housing Executive to push on with this important work including how to make homes safe and warm, better insulation and thermal efficiency work, retrofitting and other measures to upgrade properties. “This is important news for tenants with solid fuel glass fronted fires. This type of heating has served Housing Executive tenants for a number of years now. While this has been done in a safe environment, there must be recognition that solid fuel, glass fronted fires are one of the at risk appliances in terms of carbon monoxide production,” xa0the Minister xa0said. ]]>