Smoke alarms now compulsory in caravans and campervans

Submitted: Saturday, Feb 26, 2011 at 13:11
ThreadID: 84613 Views:4191 Replies:9 FollowUps:13
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http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/dsp_more_info_latest.cfm?CON_ID=12492

Never thought to install a smoke alarm in the camper trailer, it will be a $200 on the spot fine in 6 months time though so will have to put one in I suppose. Could get noisy around the camp when the cooking fumes start setting a few off ; )



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Reply By: kevmac....(WA) - Saturday, Feb 26, 2011 at 15:07

Saturday, Feb 26, 2011 at 15:07
Does this mean all caravans and campers no matter where they are registered......appears to be no distinguishment made.......could mean border stations on NSW border collecting heaps of $200 fines for the coffers !!

alas i say all this with tongue in cheek............our van does have a smoke alarm fitted..................but it does beg the question doesnt it?
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Reply By: GrumpyOldFart - Saturday, Feb 26, 2011 at 15:48

Saturday, Feb 26, 2011 at 15:48
Can't find anywhere that says camper trailer

Although I did find that tents don't require one and a camper trailer is a tent on a trailer so I think exempt

Anyway I can't find one that will fit on a tent bow and survive being folded up!

Think this is meant for hard roofed transportable dwellings only
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Follow Up By: Mark - Saturday, Feb 26, 2011 at 15:58

Saturday, Feb 26, 2011 at 15:58
In the attachment it states
"The NSW Government has improved the safety of tens of thousands of residents and holiday makers by making smoke alarms compulsory in caravans, campervans and other moveable dwellings where people sleep"

So I assumed CT's came under "other moveable dwellings" but its not 100% clear I suppose.
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Follow Up By: GrumpyOldFart - Saturday, Feb 26, 2011 at 16:11

Saturday, Feb 26, 2011 at 16:11
Mark

I agree with your "it's not 100% clear" totally.

I would like one in my TrakShak but can't find anything that would suit other than trying to remember to clip one to a tent bow when we set up.
And hopefully remembering to take it off before we pack up.

Dru
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Follow Up By: Sand Man (SA) - Saturday, Feb 26, 2011 at 16:13

Saturday, Feb 26, 2011 at 16:13
Mark,

My interpretation of a campervan is a self contained van, such as the VW Combi or Hiace campervan or similar design, whereby the cooking hotplate, or appliance is inside the enclosed area.

It would be a bit ridiculous to have to fit one to a camper trailer where the cooking appliance is external or portable. The smoke alarm in this situation would achieve nothing.
Then again, it could be a safety bonus to those campers (even in tents) who fall to sleep with a fag in their mouth. Assuming or course the alarm has a good battery in it. (Or does the new rule specify an alarm that must operate on mains electricity?)

Sometimes these government turkeys defy all common logic when they dream up new regulations.


Bill.
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Follow Up By: Mark - Saturday, Feb 26, 2011 at 16:19

Saturday, Feb 26, 2011 at 16:19
(Or does the new rule specify an alarm that must operate on mains electricity?)
Ha-ha don't give them any ideas. So you would need to buy a gen set with the smoke detector for remote camping ; )
BTW, Some CT's have the kitchen inside such as with the Ultimate campers.
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Follow Up By: member - mazcan - Saturday, Feb 26, 2011 at 22:43

Saturday, Feb 26, 2011 at 22:43
hi all
other movable dwellings could mean transportable de-mountable workers quarters etc ??????
and it might be a regulation that applys if you are staying in a caravan park and/ or mine site enviroment
cheers
barry
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Reply By: Roughasguts - Saturday, Feb 26, 2011 at 16:15

Saturday, Feb 26, 2011 at 16:15
Hell why not! I even have a remote control burgular alarm in mine, just to make a noise if someone want's me TV, camera gear, wallet or me Beer when I'm out.

Oh remember to carry a spare 9 V battery for your S/D for when the battery gets low, nothing worse than beep beep in the middle of the night.

Cheers.
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Reply By: Ozhumvee - Saturday, Feb 26, 2011 at 18:23

Saturday, Feb 26, 2011 at 18:23
Also make sure you get one with the button that stops it screaming while you burn the toast ;-))
AnswerID: 446652

Follow Up By: Member - Roger B (VIC) - Monday, Feb 28, 2011 at 21:34

Monday, Feb 28, 2011 at 21:34
Mine starts screaming as soon as I get the toaster out of its cupboard!!!
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Reply By: Allan B (Sunshine Coast) - Saturday, Feb 26, 2011 at 18:39

Saturday, Feb 26, 2011 at 18:39
This Link provides more information. In particular it states:

"The Amending Regulation defines a ‘moveable
dwelling’ to include a campervan, caravan,
holiday van, park van, (rigid) annexe, associated
structure and any other type of van or portable
device used for human habitation.
However, the definition does not include
moveable dwellings that comprise:
· a tent or structure that has two or more walls
and a roof or ceiling primarily constructed of
flexible fabric or plastic material. It was
considered impractical to insist on smoke
alarms being affixed to flexible material."

So it would seem that my Troopy with its bed in the back would fall within the definition of requiring a smoke alarm. Perhaps not a bad idea anyway.

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Allan

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Reply By: Gone Bush (WA) - Saturday, Feb 26, 2011 at 21:39

Saturday, Feb 26, 2011 at 21:39
In a van, smoke detectors will always go off when making toast.

Mrs Bush made a small "shower cap" which goes over ours when making toast and off at all other times.

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Follow Up By: Allan B (Sunshine Coast) - Saturday, Feb 26, 2011 at 23:09

Saturday, Feb 26, 2011 at 23:09
Absolutely brilliant!

Is that called a Bush Hat? LOL

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Follow Up By: Member - Welldone (WA) - Saturday, Feb 26, 2011 at 23:31

Saturday, Feb 26, 2011 at 23:31
Great Idea,
The scream of an over-excitable smoke detector is a significantly louder in the tranquility of a bush setting than it is in the "noise jungle" of suburbia.
We have one that twists and detaches off the bracket and we stick it in the fridge while the toast/chops/bacon is getting cremated. It is then re-attached once the smoke clears.
Cheers
Mark
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Follow Up By: Member - Doug T (NT) - Sunday, Feb 27, 2011 at 09:31

Sunday, Feb 27, 2011 at 09:31
Your not suppose to burn your toast...stay off the PC when making toast.
Sorry I needn't talk, been there, Done that.

.
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Follow Up By: Gone Bush (WA) - Sunday, Feb 27, 2011 at 12:06

Sunday, Feb 27, 2011 at 12:06
Hullo Doug,

Mrs Bush reckons I burn the toast all the time.

But I like it like that.

I'm glad I ain't too scared to be lazy
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Follow Up By: Member - Doug T (NT) - Sunday, Feb 27, 2011 at 12:08

Sunday, Feb 27, 2011 at 12:08
Gone Bush

Nothing worse than anemic toast.
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Follow Up By: kevmac....(WA) - Wednesday, Mar 09, 2011 at 14:52

Wednesday, Mar 09, 2011 at 14:52
my wife has tan coloured toast but leaves it in to dry out and go crunchy........weird..............but she is ok hahaha
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Reply By: Member - Doug T (NT) - Sunday, Feb 27, 2011 at 09:28

Sunday, Feb 27, 2011 at 09:28
I had one in my Troopy when I was doing Pilot/Escort work, I thought about all the toxic fumes and smoke from wiring if there was a short circuit while sleeping .
I have had one in my Van from the time bought it.

.
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Follow Up By: Allan B (Sunshine Coast) - Sunday, Feb 27, 2011 at 09:56

Sunday, Feb 27, 2011 at 09:56
Hi Doug, You are quite right. I have a house full of them and with all my industrial safety experience I overlooked the need to have one in the Troopy. I will install one right away.

Cheers
Allan

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Reply By: Ozhumvee - Tuesday, Mar 01, 2011 at 07:34

Tuesday, Mar 01, 2011 at 07:34
You can buy one now that has a button to push to stop it working while cooking toast etc, turns it off for 5 minutes and then it come back on by itself, specifically for vans etc.
AnswerID: 446977

Reply By: Capt. Wrongway - Wednesday, Mar 09, 2011 at 15:16

Wednesday, Mar 09, 2011 at 15:16
•Smoke alarms installed in moveable dwellings must have a 'hush' button to reduce the nuisance of false alarms from cooking or other smoke; and

Is not a campervan considered a 'moveable dwelling"? Instead of the pleasant sound of crickets at night it will be ....bzzz,bzzz, whoop,whoop,ring, ring. Won't that be pleasant.
Capt.
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