smoke detectors??

lyn-n-ken · Senior Member

smoke detectors??

Palebushman · Senior Member

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 · Guru

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 · Senior Member

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

lyn-n-ken · Senior Member

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 · Guru

They are the same but fit it the furtherest away from your Kitchen has you can , It is law in Queensland

Gerty Dancer · Guru

Ours is the same as the house one.

barrie · Guru

It's the law in NSW to have them fitted when traveling in that state.

Keith19837 · Senior Member

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 · Senior Member

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 hmm

Sheba · Guru

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

sandsmere · Guru

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 · Guru

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 · Veteran Member

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 · Guru

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 smile smile

Michelle

Palebushman · Senior Member

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 · Guru

There are 2 types, photoelectric and Ionisation smoke alarms. Most of the Fire and Rescue orgs reccommend photoelectric.

kandagal · Guru

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

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

clickable link info

http://thegreynomads.activeboard.com/t45282231/how-to-link/

Happywanderer · The Master

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 · Guru

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_ · Master (of Mischief)

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 · Chief one feather

And that would be, wombat?????

Oh I know, get Mrs W to make the toast.

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

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 biggrin biggrin

pipes · Senior Member

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 · Chief one feather

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_ · Master (of Mischief)

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 biggrin

Beth54 · Guru

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. wink

neilnruth · Guru

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 · Guru

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