Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Smoke and CO alarm location (Read 851 times) previous topic - next topic

Smoke and CO alarm location

Hello all,
              I am going to put in new smoke and CO alarms. The plan is for 1 each in the forward section and 1 each in the bedroom. The question is where to put them. My roof A/C's are centrally located across the width and my thought is to locate them both on the passenger side and 1/2 way between the A/C and the cabinet. This will keep them out of the air blast fron the A/C's. Is there a better scheme for locating these. Thanks
Rick

Re: Smoke and CO alarm location

Reply #1 –
Has anyone considered putting a smoke alarm in the area behind the fridge. I'm thinking if the fridge is one of the most likely places in an RV for a fire to start, a smoke alarm might give one more of a chance to extinguish it. 
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback

Re: Smoke and CO alarm location

Reply #2 –
Kent,

I think that is a really good idea.  Under $20 would buy one a lot of time to get started on putting out a fire.
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: Smoke and CO alarm location

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Kent Speers –
Has anyone considered putting a smoke alarm in the area behind the fridge.

Kent,

Are you thinking in the indoor space between the outside wall and fridge or outside behind the access panel?

If outside, I'm not sure how well a smoke detector works in a high airflow situation.

If inside, You'd probably want it pretty high up, so you'd almost have to install it above the fridge and towards the back.  You'll need easy accessibility so you can change the batteries.  If you have room and access it would be interesting to see how it works out.

Michelle
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Smoke and CO alarm location

Reply #4 –
Oh
Quote from: Steve & Michelle –

Kent,

Are you thinking in the indoor space between the outside wall and fridge or outside behind the access panel?

If outside, I'm not sure how well a smoke detector works in a high airflow situation.

If inside, You'd probably want it pretty high up, so you'd almost have to install it above the fridge and towards the back.  You'll need easy accessibility so you can change the batteries.  If you have room and access it would be interesting to see how it works out.

Michelle

Oh! Michelle you always have to apply logic don't you. I had planned to install it at the top of the stack just under the vent cap but I did not consider having to change batteries. That is where it should go but the battery thing does pose a problem. I wonder if a smoke detector would work on 12V power. The other issue is how to keep it clean. I think I'll drop this brilliant idea, at least for now.
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback

Re: Smoke and CO alarm location

Reply #5 –
There you go again, Kent ... thinking yourself into a corner!
Carol & Jeff Savournin
Usta have a '93 U225 36', Usta have a '95 U320 40', Usta have a '02 U320 40'
Usta have a 2006 Born Free, Usta have a 2011 Phoenix Cruiser
Usta have a 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4dr
"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life."  Steve Jobs

Re: Smoke and CO alarm location

Reply #6 –
Kent,
Ah...in case the detector doesn't use 12 volts, I suggest the purchase of one of the Radio Shack, little, cheap 12v in to lower output voltage devices (3, 6, 9 and 12 volts). Then you can forget about batteries.

Quote
... that is where it should go but the battery thing does pose a
Quote

problem. I wonder if a smoke detector would work on 12V power. The other issue is how to keep it clean. I think I'll drop this brilliant idea, at least for now.
Kent Speers
Jim Frerichs
2002 U320 42'

Re: Smoke and CO alarm location

Reply #7 –
That's a great idea Jim, now how do I keep the sensing unit cleaned out without removing the roof vent?
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback

Re: Smoke and CO alarm location

Reply #8 –
Kent,

Or you can go with a remote thermometer, but you wouldn't get an alarm with it.
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: Smoke and CO alarm location

Reply #9 –
Kent,
Ah...mount it on a stick and push it up there from the outside panel??

Jim
Jim Frerichs
2002 U320 42'

Re: Smoke and CO alarm location

Reply #10 –
Quote from: George Stoltz –
Or you can go with a remote thermometer, but you wouldn't get an alarm with it.

Interesting idea!  Rather than remote wireless (which eats batteries), how about a digital probe thermometer like one uses for cooking?  The kind with the flexible wire probe.  The batteries in them usually last well over a year and you can set the alarm for a particular temperature.  Taylor, Polder, ThermoWorks, Accurite, and Chaney are some of the brands.



Amazon.com: cooking thermometer digital

You could fasten the probe behind the fridge and mount the display unit inside the coach where you can hear/see it and access the batteries.

Michelle
As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Smoke and CO alarm location

Reply #11 –
No doubt Bill will say that George is really using his head now. :) ;) :D ;D
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: Smoke and CO alarm location

Reply #12 –
The best smoke detector combines Photo-electric with Ionization. We have them behind TV in areas with electronics, bedroom ceiling living room ceiling & bays. And behind refrigerator. And under bed in electrical area, with its 9-volt battery outside electric compartment.

CO2 detectors should be separate from smoke detectors and the better ones have digital display. We have two in bedroom 2/3rds up on opposite walls and one in living area
Propane detectors should be near floor. We have two in kitchen area.

Duplicate units offer critical redundancy. If one goes off, it may be a false alarm, if both go off it is a probably a problem. Relying on only one CO2 to notify us of deadly non-odor fumes is putting too much faith in a $25 detector.
I added a small 12-volt switch next to all original hard wired detectors on our coach. False alarms are given a hard reset by cutting off their power. We removed our electric propane shutoff solenoid valve at tank because every false alarm killed propane flow for many minutes until detector reset and if refrigerator was on gas, it would fault and not restart, often warming inside of fridge. Instead of replacing our original sensors, I added a 2nd surface-mounted detector.
Cover or enlarge original detector hole if new detector is a different size. RV code does not require automatic propane shut off and it is rarely used these days.

Re: Smoke and CO alarm location

Reply #13 –
Barry, are you using hard wired 110V AC detectors or hard wired 12V DC detectors? If 12V, where did you get them? Don't you have problems keeping the sensors clean in the detector behind the fridge?
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback

Re: Smoke and CO alarm location

Reply #14 –
Kent, Have you considered using the shoulder/back gambit for this issue the next time Steve is around??
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Smoke and CO alarm location

Reply #15 –
Original installed detectors are hardwired 12 volt and came with coach from Foretravel. All others are battery operated, AA or 9-volt. Behind fridge is just inside lower side vent, hanging on a wire. All detectors in bays probably get dirty, but I don't do anything to clean. I have removed all detectors and blew them out one time with air.

I do nothing special with my extra detectors.

Re: Smoke and CO alarm location

Reply #16 –
Quote from: nitehawk –
Kent, Have you considered using the shoulder/back gambit for this issue the next time Steve is around??

Norm, yes I considered it but I think Steve is on to me. They went to New Mexico instead of Oklahoma City for the summer. It must be me or maybe, just maybe the climate. 
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback