Smoke alarms now compulsory in caravans and campervans

[Wortho]

http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/dsp_more_info_latest.cfm?CON_ID=12492

$200 on the spot fine if you don't have one. Sounds like CT's are included. Expect there will be lots of beep beep beeping around the campsites when people start cooking inside....

[Crazy Dog]

So if I travel from QLD to a caravan park in NSW I will get fined for not having a smoke det in my van.?


Grrr!!!

[Estelle]

It can be a bit hard to tell the difference between a caravan and some CTs.

I guess if it has a canvas roof it would be classified as a tent.

[Wortho]

Its not 100% clear on whether CT's are included but 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 you would think CT's come under "other moveable dwellings where people sleep"

[Fivid]

There was a thread a while back regarding the definition of a camper trailer versus camper van.  Would be interesting to know the government's definition but I would think that  camper trailer which has a tent mounted to the trailer would have to come under the tent category...  I wont be rushing out looking for a smoke alarm for the CT

[Bushman]

As far as caravans go, detectors have been a requirments for many years but they're still only battery opertrated, not hard wired to either 12v or 240 system,

Nothing said about gas detectors? though some manufactures do fit them.

[Wandering Tassie]

  "other moveable dwellings where people sleep" is a very open statement, it could include a tent.
Going to be fun wiring a smoke alarm into a tent.

Trevor

[paulw]

Are you kidding.  Unless smoke alarms have changed over the years. I actually installed one in our pop up camper a number of years ago.  couldn't even turn the stove on without setting it off.  Was a useless excercise.

[time]

With my CT the kitchen is on the outside so having a detector inside shouldn't be an issue.  I assume it is possible to get detectors hard wired into 12v?  Will have to investigate.

[Farquo]

This might help.

Extract from the NSW regs:

includes the following:
(a)  campervans,
(b)  caravans,
(c)  holiday vans,
(d)  park vans,
(e)  annexes,
(f)  associated structures,
(g)  any other type of van or portable device used for human habitation,
but does not include:
(h)  a tent or structure that has two or more walls and a roof or ceiling primarily constructed of flexible fabric or plastic material, or

Extract from the Vic regs are less precise as a camper trailer IS a movable dwelling.
The owner of a movable dwelling, other than a flexible annexe or tent, in a caravan park, must ensure that a smoke alarm that complies with Part 3.7.2.2(b) of Volume Two of the BCA is installed in the dwelling.

[Laith]

With my CT the kitchen is on the outside so having a detector inside shouldn't be an issue.  I assume it is possible to get detectors hard wired into 12v?  Will have to investigate.

The security industry has 12v dc  smoke detectors. Some have backup 9v dc batteries some have inbuilt sounders (this is what you would need).

They are not exactly cheap though. Not in comparison to battery opperated smokies.

[SteveandViv]

Can't wait to get a really smoky fire started at camp on night. Tons of really green gum...That should do it 

[chunk]

Well the NSW government (RTA) have already deemed that my camper trailer is nothing more than a box trailer with a tent on top, so if they now want to change it's status to a dwelling they can refund the stamp duty I was forced to pay.

[speewa158]

I want the job where you sit in a comfy chair thinking up new ways to caeate income by just a simple change to the rules . If its open to deeming  , then if plod is having a chat to you & wants to make your day . It might be a case of DEEM THIS . When traveling through Tibooburra NSW was told that in the van park in town its not uncommon for plod to work there way through every CT in it . Those traveling from Vic with no rego plate etc ,, BINGO  Deem this pal  If it dosent comply to the law then you cant argue the toss on the road side  Ummm $200 there or $15 or so now Iet me think ,,,,,,, stuff it . get 1 now . 1 less thing to worry about  , OH it may save you life to 

[crackacoldie]

Can understand caravans and the likes, but, in all reality, if you had a life threatening fire in a ct, the dang canvas and smoke detector would have burnt to the ground before the smokey started to beep!

Cracka

[stockhorse]

It is a smoke detector not a fire alarm.I sure as heck would not like to die from smoke inhalation from smouldering insulation of some misplaced wiring.Remember that some trailers take a pounding and having wires move or insulation wear through is probably more common than is realised. A battery operated smoke detector for $10 plus a supply of batteries is cheap insurance for me and my family. I have 2 in the house (1 hardwired and 1 battery) and I think there is less chance of needing it at home than in the camper.

[speewa158]

Didnt we crack it when .05 came in , & searbelts , 100km speed limits  ,not such a bad idea really . If it saves 1 of us for $10or $15 not so bad . Your proberly think your worth more than that anyway

[BigJules]

I don't think people have an issue, generally, with sensible ideas that make us and our families safer. As long as we're not being wrapped in cotton wool. The objection here is the impracticality of smoke alarms in (many) CTs due to the sensitivity of these devices and our enjoyment of a good campfire.

There would be more sirens than New York as the wind swings around carrying smoke from one camper to the next.

In a caravan, where there is generally only exit a smoke detector seems sensible to me. Maybe it gets activated when the lights get turned off.