No need for battery until you use it. The alarm will have a date on the back giving end of life. Do you not have alarms at home? The caravan ones are domestic alarms. The alarm is the most important caravan fire protection measure. Do you have a carbon monoxide detector in the caravan?
My extinguishers are all in date and within the green zone on the scale. I also periodically give the dry powder ones a gentle tap on a hard surface to reduce the likelihood of powder compaction with time.
We brought a new smoke detector it went in last season and like what someone says they are quiet and cheap.
Our smoke alarms at home are wired direct to the mains, landlord would deal with any needing changing if they needed to. No carbon monoxide detector no, that’s something I know we do need this year before we do go away. strange how that’s something not put in van at time of manufacture it was only 14 yrs ago.
The Wyoming came with a smoke alarm 12 years ago. We added our own CO alarm. In fact Deli Dave got it for me years ago👍👏👏
My 2005 Bailey Bordeaux came with smoke alarm fitted but CO detectors came along later in caravans.
Caravan Co2 alarms are not the same. Caravan ones are a bit more rebuste for travelling.
I beg to disagree but mine was a standard battery domestic type. It’s not mounted for travelling and along with the CO detector travel in the seats held in place with cushions. The fire alarm is a smoke detector not CO2.
OC there are different saftey limits for caravans and boats.
www.safefiredirect.co.uk
Carbon Monoxide Alarms for Caravans & Camping | Safe Fire Direct
www.safefiredirect.co.uk
I hope they're not "Quiet" You need them to be loud to warn you!
I gave quick look at the link you gave, and it does not illustrate any difference between domestic or caravan safety limits, and it doesn't even mention boats.OC there are different saftey limits for caravans and boats.
Carbon Monoxide Alarms for Caravans & Camping | Safe Fire Direct
I suppose their may be some difference to the permitted levels of CO in different types of usage, if the controlling authority has established levels by differnt means. So for example The USA may have different permitted levels of exposure to the UK, and if a boat is registered in the US it would need to comply with their regulations.
But for caravans and domestic homes in the UK the same levels will apply so the sensitivity of the detectors should be the same. However there may be other mechanical reasons why some detectors are not approved for use in caravans. And the naturally more corrosive atmosphere experienced by sea going boats might exclude some units from being used in boats.
Not to quiet but we will be changing the battery next month we do it every year .
I agree that for the CO detectors EN50291.2010 Part 1 and 2 (boats and caravans). covers both domestic and caravan boat usage. Strangely both our home CO detectors meet the standard and can be used domestically or in the caravan. But until it was mentioned I hadn’t considered the van usage one to be any different to the home ones. That’s why the detectors (smoke and CO) have always travelled on the soft furnishings. The link below explains the current standard.
https://www.safelincs.co.uk/british-standards-for-co-alarms/
Looking at one of our domestic smoke detectors and the caravan one both are to the same BS.
https://www.safelincs.co.uk/british-standards-for-co-alarms/
Looking at one of our domestic smoke detectors and the caravan one both are to the same BS.
Since I started this thread I suppose I should tell you my decision as there's some interesting points of view here. I'm not going to get either an extinguisher nor fire blanket. The most important aspect is preservation of life and this can be addressed by 'getting out as quick as posssible.' In which case the fire detectors provide the most affective solution.
Types of extinguisher, size, positioning are just a few of the variables but none of which I think provides any particular advantage to assist in getting out.
My van is small - there are windows at one end and a door at the other - egress can easily be done through these.
Since we're on the subject of fires - those of us who live in Scotland should be aware of new regulations regarding smoke and fire detectors. Originally legislation was to take affect in Feb 2021 but has been pushed back to Feb 2022 because of the impact of Covid-19. The new regs mean that ALL HOMES must have the following:-
Mine were due for renewal this year anyway.
Types of extinguisher, size, positioning are just a few of the variables but none of which I think provides any particular advantage to assist in getting out.
My van is small - there are windows at one end and a door at the other - egress can easily be done through these.
Since we're on the subject of fires - those of us who live in Scotland should be aware of new regulations regarding smoke and fire detectors. Originally legislation was to take affect in Feb 2021 but has been pushed back to Feb 2022 because of the impact of Covid-19. The new regs mean that ALL HOMES must have the following:-
- one smoke alarm installed in the room most frequently used for general daytime living purposes
- one smoke alarm in every circulation space on each storey, such as hallways and landings
- one heat alarm installed in every kitchen
Mine were due for renewal this year anyway.
You should have a button on the fire alarm that allows you to switch it off before cooking but it does not always stay off long enough for you to finish.
It's my understanding that this applies to all homes, new or old.
www.gov.scot
Fire and smoke alarms: changes to the law
The law on fire alarms has changed which means all Scottish homes will need to have interlinked alarms. Guidance on what you need to know.
www.gov.scot
Damian
Moderator
OC there are different saftey limits for caravans and boats.
Carbon Monoxide Alarms for Caravans & Camping | Safe Fire Direct
What am I supposed to adjudicate on?
BS50291-1 deals with the requirements for detectors in a domestic location and not subject to being vibrated as when towing a van or vibration from a boat engine.
BS50291-2 is simply that detectors for use in caravans and boats are a more robust unit to reduce the damage done by vibration ,and there are more specialist testing for these units but safe limits are exactly the same wherever you are, be that at home, in a caravan or on a boat.
Agreed #59 the thread was discussing smoke detectors and from # 60it morphed to CO detectors on which there is no need for adjudication 👍
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Hello Sam,
I'm concerned your proposal is contradictory to the advice from the NCC, and as far as I can tell all the other well informed sources of advice.
I found this on another forum:-
Also you might read this from the Caravan Club.
Fire safety when touring
Fires are extremely rare in caravans and motorhomes, but in the event of a fire emergency, it’s critical to know exactly what to do.
Do bear in mind that as the owner of the caravan you become responsible for the safety of anyone else who uses the caravan Inc. spouse, family, friends, or even if you loan or rent the caravan out.
In the event of an incident, the non provision of accepted fair fighting equipment could fall foul of responsible persons duty to provide adequate Health and Safety equipment to protect self and others.
I ask you to reconsider your decision.
Hello Sam,
I'm concerned your proposal is contradictory to the advice from the NCC, and as far as I can tell all the other well informed sources of advice.
I found this on another forum:-
View attachment 1172
Also you might read this from the Caravan Club.
Fire safety when touring
Fires are extremely rare in caravans and motorhomes, but in the event of a fire emergency, it’s critical to know exactly what to do.www.caravanclub.co.uk
Do bear in mind that as the owner of the caravan you become responsible for the safety of anyone else who uses the caravan Inc. spouse, family, friends, or even if you loan or rent the caravan out.
In the event of an incident, the non provision of accepted fair fighting equipment could fall foul of responsible persons duty to provide adequate Health and Safety equipment to protect self and others.
I ask you to reconsider your decision.
I leave the gas locker unlocked during the day as in the panic to get out of the van the keys may get overlooked. Lock it at night after gas has been finished with and before we go to bed. It’s locked too if we are off site.
Hello Sam,
I'm concerned your proposal is contradictory to the advice from the NCC, and as far as I can tell all the other well informed sources of advice.
I found this on another forum:-
View attachment 1172
Also you might read this from the Caravan Club.
Fire safety when touring
Fires are extremely rare in caravans and motorhomes, but in the event of a fire emergency, it’s critical to know exactly what to do.
Do bear in mind that as the owner of the caravan you become responsible for the safety of anyone else who uses the caravan Inc. spouse, family, friends, or even if you loan or rent the caravan out.
In the event of an incident, the non provision of accepted fair fighting equipment could fall foul of responsible persons duty to provide adequate Health and Safety equipment to protect self and others.
I ask you to reconsider your decision.
John, I appreciate your concern but....
You'll notice that in both the Caravan Club advice (not regulations) and the notification on the van that the first rule is to get everyone out. Then consider tackling the fire. After that it gets a bit vague.
I would not be competent or have the desire to tackle a fire once everyone is clear of the vehicle. Going close to switch off the gas seems a potential risk. Disconnecting electricty less so. Having an extinguisher near the door may be ok but not if the fire is between you and it or possibly means going back in to get it.
I have no intention of lending or renting my van to anyone else.
I doubt very much that Health and Saftey would be concerned about lack of fire fighting equipment in the van since smoke and CO detectors are the only apparent mandatory fittings.
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Damian
Moderator
There is always going to be differing thoughts on what to have and what not to regarding fire equipment.
It makes no difference what one has in the van unless the people using it know what to do, and more importantly what NOT to do with the type of extinguisher they have.
Planning an escape route is sensible, but in the heat of the moment (pun intended), what seemed like good planning is overruled by the basic instinct to get away as fast as possible.
A fire extinguisher in a van is only meant to assist in leaving the van if needed, otherwise just get out, stay out, and keep away from the thing until help arrives in the form of a big red fire engine.
Caravans have lots of very bonfire material in them, kept nice and dry (mostly) and it is frightening just how quickly they burn to nothing but the chassis
It makes no difference what one has in the van unless the people using it know what to do, and more importantly what NOT to do with the type of extinguisher they have.
Planning an escape route is sensible, but in the heat of the moment (pun intended), what seemed like good planning is overruled by the basic instinct to get away as fast as possible.
A fire extinguisher in a van is only meant to assist in leaving the van if needed, otherwise just get out, stay out, and keep away from the thing until help arrives in the form of a big red fire engine.
Caravans have lots of very bonfire material in them, kept nice and dry (mostly) and it is frightening just how quickly they burn to nothing but the chassis
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