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Smoke / co2 alarms

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Nov 11, 2009
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Well I was in the same boat as yourself, I took it out of the box and stuck it up, never thinking that you had to buy a specific one for a caravan, you live and learn I suppose, another smoke alarm heading for the bin lol
I was never in that boat, and if you look at Toolstation there is at least one CO detector suitable for use in caravans. You just have to look at the data sheet. Dare say Screwfix do similar, but I’m not the one needing another alarm.
 
Nov 3, 2025
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I was never in that boat, and if you look at Toolstation there is at least one CO detector suitable for use in caravans. You just have to look at the data sheet. Dare say Screwfix do similar, but I’m not the one needing another alarm.
The co detector is easy enough to source , the smoke alarm will take a bit more research, they all seem to be a ten year battery which I don’t like , probably will be an Amazon job , we don’t have tool station here
 
Nov 11, 2009
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When my fire Angel failed, I replaced it with a another almost identical Fire Angel one , it was only when I had my caravan serviced that the service tech told me that the alarm didn't conform to 50291-2. I didn't understand the difference that's when I replaced it again with a 50291-2.
My AWS tech did the same for mine too, and though it was only a couple of years old it had been OBE. But in all honesty I can’t recall ever having issues with any of the earlier models that subsequently weren’t deemed suitable for caravans.
 
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Nov 3, 2025
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My AWS tech did the same for mine too, and though it was only a couple of years old it had been OBE. But in all honesty I can’t recall ever having issues with any of the earlier models that subsequently weren’t deemed suitable for caravans.
I would have never known any of this only for the fact that the combi smoke / co2 alarm started to play up , now my head is sore researching the right alarms for the caravan now , trying to find ones that fit the regulations is crazy , well ones that don’t have a ten year battery that probably will only last a year knowing my luck
 
Nov 11, 2009
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I would have never known any of this only for the fact that the combi smoke / co2 alarm started to play up , now my head is sore researching the right alarms for the caravan now , trying to find ones that fit the regulations is crazy , well ones that don’t have a ten year battery that probably will only last a year knowing my luck
This link might help as it gives Fire Angels range of smoke/heat alarms plus the relevant specification for leisure vehicle alarms. Any mainstream manufacturers data sheet will give the required info. Good luck.

 
Jun 20, 2005
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When my fire Angel failed, I replaced it with a another almost identical Fire Angel one , it was only when I had my caravan serviced that the service tech told me that the alarm didn't conform to 50291-2. I didn't understand the difference that's when I replaced it again with a 50291-2.
Spot on Hutch. 👍
We should only use alarms in the caravan which have the -2 at the end of the conformity code. The -2 work over a far broader temperature range than the others
 

JTQ

May 7, 2005
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I doubt anyone notices the difference or even knows that there is a difference
I suspect the differences are most likely to be in certification than physical, in that some makers have not invested in the testing involved for the much more limited market mobile relative to core domestic?
From my inside knowledge manufacturers tend to not like making niche versions of their main stream products, neither like seeking certification for niche markets. Unless, they can very handsomely sell to that market.

I tend to take to view most kit is designed to be transported by couriers of all flavours, so the abuse I will inflict it to is relatively going to be a walk in the park.
 
Jan 3, 2012
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When our caravan needed smoke / co2 alarms our AWS mobile caravan engineer replaced them similar what was on a Fireangel and a lot cheaper then i thought it would have been
 

JTQ

May 7, 2005
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It is of course a carbon monoxide CO alarm, not CO2 carbon dioxide.
This could be misleading and it probably ought to be edited for the benefit of those unaware of this very important differentiation, given the real seriousness of monoxide poisoning.
 
Nov 11, 2009
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It is of course a carbon monoxide CO alarm, not CO2 carbon dioxide.
This could be misleading and it probably ought to be edited for the benefit of those unaware of this very important differentiation, given the real seriousness of monoxide poisoning.
Post 1 could be similarly misleading. Mind you the prices of CO2 detectors can be eye wateringly expensive.
 
Jun 20, 2005
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My Kidde , purchased 2018, complained a few weeks the two 9 v batteries were nearly dead. It was bleeping every 2 minutes batteries flat. New batteries and the Kidde will be refitted in March, first trip of 2026

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Nov 11, 2009
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My Kidde , purchased 2018, complained a few weeks the two 9 v batteries were nearly dead. It was bleeping every 2 minutes batteries flat. New batteries and the Kidde will be refitted in March, first trip of 2026

View attachment 10025
View attachment 10026
Some years ago my father moved to Lynton and bought a four storey house which he ran as a B&B. Not long after he moved in I visited him and he told me that there was a bird trapped somewhere in the higher floors as he could hear it chirping. Subsequent investigation revealed it was a smoke alarm giving its flat battery signal. So I went through the house and checked them all for life and tested them.
 
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Sep 23, 2023
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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).


Quite correct,they do however supply details of the equipment and are a source of sales once the OP has finalized his decision,also they have a review system
 
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Jun 20, 2005
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Some years ago my father moved to Lynton and bought a four storey house which he ran as a B&B. Not long after he moved in I visited him and he told me that there was a bird trapped somewhere in the higher floors as he could hear it chirping. Subsequent investigation revealed it was a smoke alarm giving its flat battery signal. So I went through the house and checked them all for life and tested them.
As in North Devon? My uncle ran a guest house / hotel from 1965- 1980 and my cousins ran the bakery and restaurant for 15 years. One cousin still lives there! Small world
 
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