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F A C T S H E E T

Gas Safety

The burning of practically all fuels causes waste gases to be generated. One of the most dangerous gases is carbon monoxide (CO). In particular, CO is generated by the combustion of wood or coal (in all its forms) fires and in the flue gases of gas appliances (town gas, natural gas or bottled gas).

CO is an insidious danger because it is colourless, odourless and tasteless. Normally, however, it presents no danger when combustion is properly adjusted, there is a sufficient supply of fresh air and the gases of combustion are carried away via a serviceable flue.

For gas-fired devices there is also the danger presented by the poisonous and explosive nature of the gas itself, if it is not burnt in a properly controlled way. Because of this danger it has long been the practice of gas companies to add an unpleasant smell to gas supplies, so that any leak of unburned gas is normally easily detected.