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Smoke / co2 alarms

Nov 3, 2025
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After much research I have been advised that your smoke / co2 alarms have to meet certain regulations, EN 50291-2, EN 14604.after having two fail in the caravan, anyone recommend alarms that actually last and don’t quit and 6 months ?
 

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Nov 11, 2009
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After much research I have been advised that your smoke / co2 alarms have to meet certain regulations, EN 50291-2, EN 14604.after having two fail in the caravan, anyone recommend alarms that actually last and don’t quit and 6 months ?
I’ve always used Fire Angel or Kidde smoke or CO alarms in the caravan and house. Not had any unreasonable failures. What make(s) did you use?
 
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Nov 16, 2015
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I replaced a Fire angel 50291-2 which lasted about 6 years, with another FA. But with a replaceable battery. First one had a non replaceable battery, and non rechargeable.
 
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JTQ

May 7, 2005
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I am having more success with the current Kidde CO unit with a "for life battery" than I had with either their and Fire Angel's units with replaceable batteries. This has a "replace unit after 10 years from installation" label and I installed it on 27/02/2018. [just been and checked label pre posting]
The vans smoke alarms like your have exhibited short lives, but I basically accept replacing these low cost items. These have all used a 9 volt alkaline battery.
I have not used, nor would I the dual function units.
 
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Nov 3, 2025
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I am having more success with the current Kidde CO unit with a "for life battery" than I had with either their and Fire Angel's units with replaceable batteries. This has a "replace unit after 10 years from installation" label and I installed it on 27/02/2018. [just been and checked label pre posting]
The vans smoke alarms like your have exhibited short lives, but I basically accept replacing these low cost items. These have all used a 9 volt alkaline battery.
I have not used, nor would I the dual function units.
Thinking of going that way myself, getting a co2 stand alone unit and a smoke alarm on its own, only thing about the fire angel smoke alarm from reading reviews is that it has a flashing light on it , which wouldn’t be good in a caravan, would be like lighting every time it cycles through it’s course lol
 
Nov 3, 2025
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So do Screwfix and Safelincs too, but that doesn’t answer the OP’s question of who can recommend an alarm(s).
Safelincs are a joke , was them I had a warranty problem with, they said because I used a non regulated unit in a caravan, my warranty was null and void, was them that quoted regulations to me , you can’t use house smoke detectors in a caravan because of the vibration!
 
Nov 3, 2025
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So do Screwfix and Safelincs too, but that doesn’t answer the OP’s question of who can recommend an alarm(s).


Also the smoke alarms you get in screwfix , tool station and the likes are house smoke detectors, not regulated alarms for caravans
 
Oct 8, 2006
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I used Fire Angel BUT make sure to buy the one that the burning toast will not set off. I suspect it is heat sensitive only - which means fitting them to a vertical panel as most manufacturers do is a waste of time. On the ceiling and horizontal is best.
Carbon monoxide is lighter than air (slightly) so will naturally rise, so the CO detector is also better located high rather than low.
 

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