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Smoke Detector Safety

Before you take off on your any trip on your RV, as you know, there are a multitude of little tasks to need be done before you're ready to go. At the top of that list should be all of the safety checks. Among those items should be testing your smoke detector(s). Keeping in mind that the majority of fires occur when people are sleeping, statistics show that a smoke detector improves your chances of survival by 50%.

RV Smoke Detectors

Do you know, for instance, that RV smoke detectors should be approved for use in RVs, specifically, and how to identify which ones are?

Well, those that meet the ANSI A119.2 specifications are RV approved. Your detector should also be a UL 217 integral battery-operated type according to retired Oregon State Fire Service Training Coordinator, Mac McCoy.

While only one is recommended, it's not a bad idea to have two smoke detectors, one in the living area and one in the sleeping area. Considering that they only cost about $20, it's a small investment for the level of safety provided.

Effective Smoke Detector Features

Other considerations are whether to choose ionization or photoelectric technology. One of each is best, or if available, choose dual technology units. So far, I'm only finding these options in the home detectors. Ionization technology is most responsive to flaming fires, and photoelectric to fires that began by smoldering for a while. As fast as a motor home can burn, the ionization is first choice, and you'll be glad to know that RV detectors are ionization types.

No matter how many smoke detectors you have, they're useless if you can't hear them. Some have a mute button, which is nice for temporarily silencing an annoying alarm when there is no emergency. This can happen if you've steamed up the RV from a shower or pot of boiling water, burned some toast or the barbeque smoke has drifted inside your motor home. But, this should be a temporary mute with an automatic reset after 20-30 seconds. Remember to turn them back on if they have manual mute controls.

Some people sleep soundly enough that they just can't hear the smoke alarm, and it doesn't wake them up. Older people and children are the most likely to fall into this group. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends having a fire drill in the middle of the night to see if anyone sleeps through the alarms. If so, consider an alarm that has other features such as a strobe light or vibrator.

With a focus on people who are hard of hearing or deaf, The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) has a downloadable list of manufacturers who make alarms with strobe lights. These UL standard 1971 detectors need to be hardwired. Download the PDF file at:
http://www.nfpa.org/assets/files/PDF/Public%20Education/Alarmguidedeaf.p...

Maintenance and Safety

It doesn't hurt to go over the RV safety checklist for smoke detectors:

• Check RV smoke detectors weekly, and no less frequently than monthly whether battery-powered or wired.
• Change batteries annually. One recommendation suggests doing this in spring or fall when we change our clocks. It's easier to remember when you tie it to a fixed event.
• in addition to cleaning according to manufacturer's recommendations, vacuum your smoke detectors annually to clear particles and dust that can decrease sensitivity to smoke.
• Replace smoke detectors every ten years. You can buy newer ones have lithium batteries that last ten years. If you have one of these, don't skip the monthly test to make sure they work, anyway.
• Install a minimum of two detectors.
• Conduct a fire drill twice a year, especially at night to be sure everyone wakes up.
• Have an evacuation plan with at least two exits for everyone in case the fire blocks your main exit.
• Steam and smoke from kitchens and bathrooms can set alarms off, so keep them 5-6 feet from these areas.

For more safety information check the NFPA website at www.nfpa.org.

Have a happy and safe trip (or life) in your RV.