just found out that we are supossed to have smoke detector in our van,
they said its a law.
sooo
can anyone out there tell me if there is a special one for vans or are they the regular household ones?
and it should be interesting in our 14' van.
lyn
Palebushman said
08:09 AM Jul 16, 2012
Not too sure about the law aspect lyn-n-ken,
But, not having a smoke/fire alarm in your caravan or motor-home, is very unwise and not recommended, so too is not having a fire extinguisher and fire blanket. For under $10's you can get the 're-set' type smoke alarm, which allows you to 'mute' the alarm until you have finished making the toast. The other point worth mentioning is insurance; not having any type of fire protection usually makes those companies unwilling to cover you in the event of fire or smoke damage. The all up cost of the above items was under a $100's, which we felt was money well spent.
Because our bus has large approved 'glass' windows, we also have the appropriate hammer to break the glass, which also incorporates a very sharp blade to slice through seat-belts in the even of an accident.
Pejay said
08:33 AM Jul 16, 2012
Ours is the same as the house ones too, we also have a blanket and extinguisher as well. I was under the opinion it was law nation wide - surprised it isn't considering some of the horrific accidents that you hear about.
-- Edited by Pejay on Monday 16th of July 2012 03:26:24 PM
KenK said
11:40 AM Jul 16, 2012
I believe only the rules of common sense make them compulsory here in QLD. However NSW insists on photo electric so we recently changed ours. Since installing it, we have had no false alarms from toaster etc which we used to get with ionisation type. Also now compulsory in NT so to leave QLD at all we really have no choice. Have attached a link from NT fire authority on new laws there. Happy travelling.
-- Edited by KenK on Monday 16th of July 2012 11:41:44 AM
Sorry. Tried to make this link clickable but don't know the secret of how to do it. Try copy and paste.
-- Edited by KenK on Monday 16th of July 2012 11:53:12 AM
-- Edited by KenK on Monday 16th of July 2012 11:57:06 AM
lyn-n-ken said
02:30 PM Jul 16, 2012
hi pale bushman
we have fire extinguisher and blanket and good insurance , the question is not if its legal or even required but are caravan and house smoke detectors the same as the area they are in is much smaller. but thank you for your reply.
lyn
brickies said
02:52 PM Jul 16, 2012
They are the same but fit it the furtherest away from your Kitchen has you can , It is law in Queensland
Gerty Dancer said
03:29 PM Jul 16, 2012
Ours is the same as the house one.
barrie said
03:30 PM Jul 16, 2012
It's the law in NSW to have them fitted when traveling in that state.
Keith19837 said
03:46 PM Jul 16, 2012
lyn-n-ken wrote:
hi guys
just found out that we are supossed to have smoke detector in our van,
they said its a law.
sooo
can anyone out there tell me if there is a special one for vans or are they the regular household ones?
and it should be interesting in our 14' van.
lyn
There does seem to be a 'grey area' (in Victoria) as to what constitutes a dwelling for the purposes of smoke detectors. Whilst I was with VicPol, I ran several investigations into house fires (with deaths) which resulted is the Coroner making recommendations into mandatory smoke detectors in Victorian homes. It was through one such incident that I first met SWMBO. Regardless of laws or States, I would install a smoke detector or two as has been recommended by others on the forum. I would also spend the extra very few dollars to get a top quality one with a top quality battery. As for extinguishers and blankets; it is worthwhile learning how to use them. I was lucky enough to be put through a live in MFB course for two weeks which included fire extinguisher training. They need to be used correctly or else the fire can actually be spead. 'Powder' is probably the best all purpose type even though the mess is a bugger. For what it's worth.
gillyb said
03:57 PM Jul 16, 2012
My alarm is the same as my home alarm. I've also have a fire extinguisher but when I asked the salesman that I purchased my van from if it was easy to use his reply was if there's a fire don't worry about the extinguisher you won't have time just get out of the van..........very reassuring indeed
You have to click on Enter after you've typed it in, or Copy & Pasted it KenK.
Cheers,
Sheba.
-- Edited by Sheba on Monday 16th of July 2012 04:24:17 PM
sandsmere said
04:23 PM Jul 16, 2012
We have a fire blanket too . $5 at Bunnings .
Every van / MH / wizbang should have a smoke detecter , regardless of state laws . It's common sense .
What price your life ?????????????
Roving-Dutchy said
04:52 PM Jul 16, 2012
I've stopped buying the el cheapo detectors as they all seem to fail within a year or too.
Have now installed the dearer photo electric type and the seem to be more reliable and seem less likely to give false alarms.
When cooking just remove alarm and place on pillow on the bed, as a reminder to replace before sleeping.
For the home I have the dual photo electric and ionisation alarms, there is a lot of info on the internet how each type detects.
I agree with the idea that you probably wont have time to use the fire extinguisher you just concentrate in getting out of the van, I dont believe in risking your life or getting injured to try and save property, thats why we have fire insurance.
I will only fight a fire from a safe distance
Cheers
David
Wanderlust said
05:02 PM Jul 16, 2012
This is from Fire NSW site...
"The Government will primarily rely on education to encourage moveable dwelling owners to install the smoke alarms, rather than inspections, and there will be no new powers for council or police.
Under the regulation:
Owners of caravans and mobile homes will have six months to install a smoke alarm before on-the-spot fines of up to $200 (or up to $550 if the matter proceeds to court) will apply;
Penalties will apply from today where people remove or interfere with a smoke alarm already installed in a caravan or mobile home;
Dwellings which are not regularly moved but still used for sleeping (such as site vans and caravans in backyards) are covered by the regulation;
Smoke alarms installed in moveable dwellings must have a "hush button" to reduce the nuisance of false alarms from cooking or other smoke; and
Owners of the moveable dwellings (as distinct to the tenant or the owner of the land where the dwelling is based) will be responsible for installing and maintaining or replacing the alarm.
I bought mine with a hush button from Bunnings for about $15.
BohemianGypsy said
05:45 PM Jul 16, 2012
Wanderlust wrote:
I bought mine with a hush button from Bunnings for about $15.
Thanks for telling me where I can buy one for our van Wanderlust, much appreciate it. I am not sure if I saw one in the van so will check again before I head out to purchase one
Michelle
Palebushman said
06:17 PM Jul 16, 2012
Forgot to mention........
If and when you do get to hear that intermittent 'chirp; during your travels. It's not a bird or mouse in the place, it's your alarm trying to get your attention to replace its' flat battery.
jetj said
08:29 PM Jul 16, 2012
There are 2 types, photoelectric and Ionisation smoke alarms. Most of the Fire and Rescue orgs reccommend photoelectric.
kandagal said
09:45 PM Jul 16, 2012
When we had a caravan we travelled for a while thinkng we had a gecko somewhere but it turned out to be our detector crying for a new battery
I have a fire extingisher and a fire blanket. These vans are so small where on earth would I put a smoke detector. I would bump it everytime I moved. For anyone who buys an old van and it has a yellow fire extinguisher, they are illegal, throw it out and get a red one. Myrtle came with a yellow one, had to replace it.
jetj said
12:34 AM Jul 17, 2012
And check your extinguisher to make sure there is pressure remaining and shake the powder regularly.
Smoke alarms are supposed to be near the roof, mine is attached to a cupboard.
_wombat_ said
12:46 AM Jul 17, 2012
our fire alarm kept going off whenever I did the morning toast, it is up in the bedroom arae not near the kitchen, but I have a great fix for it.
Dougwe said
12:55 AM Jul 17, 2012
And that would be, wombat?????
Oh I know, get Mrs W to make the toast.
_wombat_ said
01:03 AM Jul 17, 2012
Dougwe wrote:
And that would be, wombat?????
Oh I know, get Mrs W to make the toast.
Na, I just put the smoke alarm in a cupboard and close the door
pipes said
01:06 AM Jul 17, 2012
My home is a Mazda T 3500. It has a smoke detector, fire blanket and three extingushers. One small unit just left of my drivers seat. One small one just inside the step on the side door, and a large one under the table. Might sound a bit odd, but I like to be able to reach them in a hurry, should I have an emergency, or come across someone on the road with one.
Regards
Pipes
Dougwe said
01:34 AM Jul 17, 2012
I don't smoke so it wouldn't work for me.
Sorry.
Seriously though, I have one and do as wombat does. Because my Avan is not all that big I take it down when cooking but put back as soon as I have finished.
_wombat_ said
01:53 AM Jul 17, 2012
Dougwe wrote:
I don't smoke so it wouldn't work for me.
Sorry.
Seriously though, I have one and do as wombat does. Because my Avan is not all that big I take it down when cooking but put back as soon as I have finished.
who said anything about taking it out of the cupboard
Beth54 said
01:55 AM Jul 17, 2012
When bil was doing the reno, he told me to get one, so I did as I was told! I also have to fire extinguisher and fire blanket close to the door.
When I first cooked in Lulu at Cobb & Co it went off a couple of times until I removed it while cooking. Gave me a fright! Marj just wondered what it was.
Good idea to put it on the pillow Roving Dutchy.
neilnruth said
03:12 AM Jul 17, 2012
We were cooking toast at Hay and the alarm went off. I undid it and was pulling the battery out to stop it when another van owner sang out, 'Cooking the toast?' It happens to us all but at least it proves it will work if there is smoke. By the way, I did put the battery back in so it would work next time.
brickies said
03:30 AM Jul 17, 2012
IF the alarm is activated, If your fan the alarm with a newspaper or magazine this will stop the alarm sooner don't take batteries out or remove alarm from mountings ,You must have a Working Fire Alarm , Don't remove alarm or Battery it could save you life , You can toast bread without burning it maybe work on doing that and your alarm will not be activated
hi guys
just found out that we are supossed to have smoke detector in our van,
they said its a law.
sooo
can anyone out there tell me if there is a special one for vans or are they the regular household ones?
and it should be interesting in our 14' van.
lyn
Not too sure about the law aspect lyn-n-ken,
But, not having a smoke/fire alarm in your caravan or motor-home, is very unwise and not recommended, so too is not having a fire extinguisher and fire blanket. For under $10's you can get the 're-set' type smoke alarm, which allows you to 'mute' the alarm until you have finished making the toast. The other point worth mentioning is insurance; not having any type of fire protection usually makes those companies unwilling to cover you in the event of fire or smoke damage. The all up cost of the above items was under a $100's, which we felt was money well spent.
Because our bus has large approved 'glass' windows, we also have the appropriate hammer to break the glass, which also incorporates a very sharp blade to slice through seat-belts in the even of an accident.
Ours is the same as the house ones too, we also have a blanket and extinguisher as well. I was under the opinion it was law nation wide - surprised it isn't considering some of the horrific accidents that you hear about.
-- Edited by Pejay on Monday 16th of July 2012 03:26:24 PM
I believe only the rules of common sense make them compulsory here in QLD. However NSW insists on photo electric so we recently changed ours. Since installing it, we have had no false alarms from toaster etc which we used to get with ionisation type. Also now compulsory in NT so to leave QLD at all we really have no choice. Have attached a link from NT fire authority on new laws there. Happy travelling.
http://pfes.nt.gov.au/Fire-and-Rescue/Territory-laws-on-smoke-alarms.aspx
-- Edited by KenK on Monday 16th of July 2012 11:41:44 AM
Sorry. Tried to make this link clickable but don't know the secret of how to do it. Try copy and paste.
-- Edited by KenK on Monday 16th of July 2012 11:53:12 AM
-- Edited by KenK on Monday 16th of July 2012 11:57:06 AM
hi pale bushman
we have fire extinguisher and blanket and good insurance , the question is not if its legal or even required but are caravan and house smoke detectors the same as the area they are in is much smaller. but thank you for your reply.
lyn
There does seem to be a 'grey area' (in Victoria) as to what constitutes a dwelling for the purposes of smoke detectors. Whilst I was with VicPol, I ran several investigations into house fires (with deaths) which resulted is the Coroner making recommendations into mandatory smoke detectors in Victorian homes. It was through one such incident that I first met SWMBO. Regardless of laws or States, I would install a smoke detector or two as has been recommended by others on the forum. I would also spend the extra very few dollars to get a top quality one with a top quality battery. As for extinguishers and blankets; it is worthwhile learning how to use them. I was lucky enough to be put through a live in MFB course for two weeks which included fire extinguisher training. They need to be used correctly or else the fire can actually be spead. 'Powder' is probably the best all purpose type even though the mess is a bugger. For what it's worth.
My alarm is the same as my home alarm. I've also have a fire extinguisher but when I asked the salesman that I purchased my van from if it was easy to use his reply was if there's a fire don't worry about the extinguisher you won't have time just get out of the van..........very reassuring indeed
http://pfes.nt.gov.au/Fire-and-Rescue/Territory-laws-on-smoke-alarms.aspx
You have to click on Enter after you've typed it in, or Copy & Pasted it KenK.
Cheers,
Sheba.
-- Edited by Sheba on Monday 16th of July 2012 04:24:17 PM
We have a fire blanket too . $5 at Bunnings .
Every van / MH / wizbang should have a smoke detecter , regardless of state laws . It's common sense .
What price your life ?????????????
I've stopped buying the el cheapo detectors as they all seem to fail within a year or too.
Have now installed the dearer photo electric type and the seem to be more reliable and seem less likely to give false alarms.
When cooking just remove alarm and place on pillow on the bed, as a reminder to replace before sleeping.
For the home I have the dual photo electric and ionisation alarms, there is a lot of info on the internet how each type detects.
I agree with the idea that you probably wont have time to use the fire extinguisher you just concentrate in getting out of the van, I dont believe in risking your life or getting injured to try and save property, thats why we have fire insurance.
I will only fight a fire from a safe distance
Cheers
David
This is from Fire NSW site...
"The Government will primarily rely on education to encourage moveable dwelling owners to install the smoke alarms, rather than inspections, and there will be no new powers for council or police.
Under the regulation:
I bought mine with a hush button from Bunnings for about $15.
Thanks for telling me where I can buy one for our van Wanderlust, much appreciate it. I am not sure if I saw one in the van so will check again before I head out to purchase one
Michelle
Forgot to mention........
If and when you do get to hear that intermittent 'chirp; during your travels. It's not a bird or mouse in the place, it's your alarm trying to get your attention to replace its' flat battery.
clickable link info
http://thegreynomads.activeboard.com/t45282231/how-to-link/
For anyone who buys an old van and it has a yellow fire extinguisher, they are illegal, throw it out and get a red one.
Myrtle came with a yellow one, had to replace it.
Smoke alarms are supposed to be near the roof, mine is attached to a cupboard.
our fire alarm kept going off whenever I did the morning toast, it is up in the bedroom arae not near the kitchen, but I have a great fix for it.
Oh I know, get Mrs W to make the toast.
Na, I just put the smoke alarm in a cupboard and close the door
My home is a Mazda T 3500. It has a smoke detector, fire blanket and three extingushers. One small unit just left of my drivers seat. One small one just inside the step on the side door, and a large one under the table. Might sound a bit odd, but I like to be able to reach them in a hurry, should I have an emergency, or come across someone on the road with one.
Regards
Pipes
Sorry.
Seriously though, I have one and do as wombat does. Because my Avan is not all that big I take it down when cooking but put back as soon as I have finished.
who said anything about taking it out of the cupboard
When bil was doing the reno, he told me to get one, so I did as I was told! I also have to fire extinguisher and fire blanket close to the door.
When I first cooked in Lulu at Cobb & Co it went off a couple of times until I removed it while cooking. Gave me a fright! Marj just wondered what it was.
Good idea to put it on the pillow Roving Dutchy.