An Essex-based builder has been sentenced this month after putting three people at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Colchester Magistrates' Court heard that in June 2017 a builder, trading as DEC Roofing & General Building Ltd, was contracted to build a single storey extension to the rear of a house in Corringham.
When assessing the work, the builder had been told by the homeowner that the boiler flue exited the rear of the property, where the extension was to be built. The builder advised this would not be a problem, and that he would arrange for a plumber to move the flue, so it exited the side of the property.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that DEC Roofing & General Building Ltd failed to ensure the gas boiler flue was moved to a safe place, such as the side of the property, before the extension was built. The gas flue was, therefore, releasing the products of combustion into the finished extension, which the homeowner was alerted to by a carbon monoxide alarm.
The builder, pleaded guilty to breaching the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations SI 1998/2451. He was sentenced to four months in prison, suspended for 24 months, 30 days rehabilitation and 150 hours of community unpaid work. He will also be paying £3,000 in costs to be paid over the next six months.
HSE inspector Jessica Churchyard commented that the builder "showed a clear disregard for the law and put his customers' lives at risk, by not arranging for a competent person to move the gas flue to a safe place before the extension was completed".
"Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards".
