Author Topic: School me on Smoke Alarms (Read 7453 times)

chillipepperz · « **on:** December 16, 2015, 08:42:05 PM »

Ok so the camper is hitting the road next week for a stay on the Victorian part of the Murray up near Hattah. Spending a week in the thing brings me to thinking about installing a smoke alarm.

Simple right?

Well looking at the Bunnys website they range from about $9.00 to over $50. Price isn't the issue but is a fancier photoeledtric one better for this application or the simple old ionisation one OK?

I don't want it going off if we have a camp fire nearby (not on this trip of course!) and I don't think I need to go to a carbon monoxide alarm as we always have the roof hatch popped and a window slightly open even in winter.

So guys what's your thoughts?

Cheers!
Andrew

scarpsD40 · « **Reply #1 on:** December 16, 2015, 08:57:09 PM »

Not wishing anyone any harm, but in a CT might be a bit of overkill? With toast and campfire in play, if you were camping near me we might not be friends if it kept going orrff.

chillipepperz · « **Reply #2 on:** December 16, 2015, 09:23:28 PM »

Haha yep good to keep a camp to ourselves I guess. maybe it is a bit of overkill...

Cheers!
Andrew

Jakster1 · « **Reply #3 on:** December 17, 2015, 06:53:38 AM »

I don't think it's such a bad idea. Indoor kitchens, dodgy DIY Electrics (not saying your setup is), Plus people use all sorts of electrical devices plugged in all day, covered with clothes, blankets, wet stuff , fans, heaters, battery chargers there's heaps of ways a fire can start. brain farts can happen to anyone. Burn the toast inside could mean the difference between your camper burning to the ground or being able to extinguish it in time.
Go for a photoelectric type. See if you can find a 12v unit to power off your camper supply

Troopy_03 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 17, 2015, 08:14:53 AM »

If you were really keen, you could connect it to your 12V water pump and some garden irrigation sprinklers and have your own fire deluge system. Now that would be a mod worth bragging about on here

Fizzie · « **Reply #5 on:** December 17, 2015, 08:28:22 AM »

With 2 separate systems, one to wet down the roof & another sprinkler system inside the tent!

Bit of a bugger when somebody burns the toast, or a change of wind sends a cloud of campfire smoke through the window though

scarpsD40 · « **Reply #6 on:** December 17, 2015, 08:33:09 AM »

Again, not dissing the fact that noone wants to get hurt while enjoying the pleasure of touring and camping, still Pmsl guys....definitely worthly of a new thread in the electrical section.
What's the best way to wire up a fire control sprinkler system. How many solar panels would you need, what size cable is best to use, would you need a separate water tank, should it be filled with fire retardant foam, what size pump, how many batteries, should the pipes be soft and flatten when you close the tent up. So many questions, definitely got legs this one;D

Bad Scott · « **Reply #7 on:** December 17, 2015, 08:38:30 AM »

Use stainless tube with holes in it and a flexible stainless tube at the pivot points

Troopy_03 · « **Reply #8 on:** December 17, 2015, 08:43:14 AM »

Fill the tank with XXXX Gold. It is about the only thing you could use that stuff for, and has a relatively low toxicity

two up · « **Reply #9 on:** December 17, 2015, 08:47:16 AM »

Quote from: scarpsD40 on December 17, 2015, 08:33:09 AM

Again, not dissing the fact that noone wants to get hurt while enjoying the pleasure of touring and camping, still Pmsl guys....definitely worthly of a new thread in the electrical section.
What's the best way to wire up a fire control sprinkler system. How many solar panels would you need, what size cable is best to use, would you need a separate water tank, should it be filled with fire retardant foam, what size pump, how many batteries, should the pipes be soft and flatten when you close the tent up. So many questions, definitely got legs this one;D

Bwahahahah.:-)

Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T using Tapatalk

BaseCamp · « **Reply #10 on:** December 17, 2015, 08:50:34 AM »

OMG guys.... the OP put up a reasonable question regarding a safety system for his CT.

I am sure he doesn't want to read pack-vitreol on here....

C'on; play fair...!!

Regarding smoke detectors; arn't they the things required by law to be installed inside every van... (My van came with one... as well as door venting; and small permanent venting in the pop top...

Sent from my SM-N910G using Tapatalk

Bird · « **Reply #11 on:** December 17, 2015, 08:55:08 AM »

Anyway, there are a series of things you need in a fire suppression system.
•An Emergency Power Off function If there is a fire, the EPO will drop power to the room

•A sealed room You want sealed for correct HVAC (heating, ventilating, and air conditioning) anyway.

•A gas-based suppression system FM200 is popular choice for this.

•A water based backup suppression system If the FM-200 fails, you need to get the fire out. After the EPO has fired, and the FM-200 dumps, if there is still a fire then you need old fashioned water.

•Call-out capabilities If the fire system trips, you want to notify everyone instantly.. several battery operated smoke alarms could suffice.

On water...

Consider a battery explosion. All those lead-acid batteries, some of which are leaking hydrogen, and kaboom. Your nice sealed camper? Not so sealed anymore. When the FM-200 dumps, it does very little because the room isn't sealed. So that fire that started? It's now going to eat into the neighboring vans. You want sprinklers in there, it's a life-safety issue.

HTH

gronk · « **Reply #12 on:** December 17, 2015, 09:08:44 AM »

Quote from: BaseCamp on December 17, 2015, 08:50:34 AM

Regarding smoke detectors; arn't they the things required by law to be installed inside every van... (My van came with one... as well as door venting; and small permanent venting in the pop top...

Sent from my SM-N910G using Tapatalk

I taped my door vent up......only required if you have a gas appliance inside the van !

I replaced my smoke detector a few mths ago with a cheapie from Bunnings...battery operated, $10. You would have to be pretty close to a campfire for it to go off. I've cooked a bbq under the awning many times and have had a fire 3 metres from the van and all good.

scarpsD40 · « **Reply #13 on:** December 17, 2015, 09:37:53 AM »

Quote from: BaseCamp on December 17, 2015, 08:50:34 AM

OMG guys.... the OP put up a reasonable question regarding a safety system for his CT.

I am sure he doesn't want to read pack-vitreol on here....

C'on; play fair...!!

Regarding smoke detectors; arn't they the things required by law to be installed inside every van... (My van came with one... as well as door venting; and small permanent venting in the pop top...

Sent from my SM-N910G using Tapatalk

I know, some days we're just too helpful hey

Quote from: Bird on December 17, 2015, 08:55:08 AM

Anyway, there are a series of things you need in a fire suppression system.
•An Emergency Power Off function If there is a fire, the EPO will drop power to the room

•A sealed room You want sealed for correct HVAC (heating, ventilating, and air conditioning) anyway.

•A gas-based suppression system FM200 is popular choice for this.

•A water based backup suppression system If the FM-200 fails, you need to get the fire out. After the EPO has fired, and the FM-200 dumps, if there is still a fire then you need old fashioned water.

•Call-out capabilities If the fire system trips, you want to notify everyone instantly.. several battery operated smoke alarms could suffice.

On water...

Consider a battery explosion. All those lead-acid batteries, some of which are leaking hydrogen, and kaboom. Your nice sealed camper? Not so sealed anymore. When the FM-200 dumps, it does very little because the room isn't sealed. So that fire that started? It's now going to eat into the neighboring vans. You want sprinklers in there, it's a life-safety issue.

HTH

great info Bruce, very detailed

RebsWA · « **Reply #14 on:** December 17, 2015, 09:43:21 AM »

Quote from: gronk on December 17, 2015, 09:08:44 AM

I replaced my smoke detector a few mths ago with a cheapie from Bunnings...battery operated, $10. You would have to be pretty close to a campfire for it to go off. I've cooked a bbq under the awning many times and have had a fire 3 metres from the van and all good.

Works real good eh!

gronk · « **Reply #15 on:** December 17, 2015, 11:09:52 AM »

Quote from: RebsWA on December 17, 2015, 09:43:21 AM

Works real good eh!

It does actually !! Tests OK, but I haven't lit a fire in the van to test it properly....have you ??

Rob C · « **Reply #16 on:** December 17, 2015, 11:19:38 AM »

Battery operated Photoelectric is the way to go.

chillipepperz · « **Reply #17 on:** December 17, 2015, 01:34:17 PM »

Quote from: Fizzie on December 17, 2015, 08:28:22 AM

With 2 separate systems, one to wet down the roof & another sprinkler system inside the tent!

Bit of a bugger when somebody burns the toast, or a change of wind sends a cloud of campfire smoke through the window though

So does a fart set one off?

Seriously, thanks for the input guys, some interesting reading. I guess it cant hurt to pop one in and see how it goes. Cheap insurance.

Cheers!
Andrew

scarpsD40 · « **Reply #18 on:** December 17, 2015, 01:45:50 PM »

Quote from: chillipepperz on December 17, 2015, 01:34:17 PM

So does a fart set one off?

Seriously, thanks for the input guys, some interesting reading. I guess it cant hurt to pop one in and see how it goes. Cheap insurance.

Cheers!
Andrew

Depends what you ate the day before I guess. Make sure you post up a pic of how you mount it. Be interested to see

Fizzie · « **Reply #19 on:** December 17, 2015, 02:18:11 PM »

Quote from: scarpsD40 on December 17, 2015, 01:45:50 PM

Make sure you post up a pic of how you mount it. Be interested to see

Agree with Scarps in being interested in seeing how you do it.

& being serious for a moment (serious on MySwag?

) please experiment a bit to see what will set it off & let us all know

scarpsD40 · « **Reply #20 on:** December 17, 2015, 02:24:54 PM »

Quote from: Fizzie on December 17, 2015, 02:18:11 PM

& being serious for a moment (serious on MySwag? ) please experiment a bit to see what will set it off & let us all know

I'm interested to see if burning rubber sets it off?

gronk · « **Reply #21 on:** December 17, 2015, 03:43:35 PM »

Quote from: scarpsD40 on December 17, 2015, 02:24:54 PM

I'm interested to see if burning rubber sets it off?

Personally haven't used one for 30 yrs !!

Muckinhell · « **Reply #22 on:** December 17, 2015, 04:48:47 PM »

Being a spakatician now for couple a years, we were installing photoelectric in the houso units and houses etc due to the fact that they are less likley to nuisance trip and have the houseos smash them through the roof as often with broom handles etc, i have one in my place too batt operated as its a rental and it doesnt seem to go off very often, have to have good suasage burn up to get it to go off.

Troopy_03 · « **Reply #23 on:** December 17, 2015, 07:32:09 PM »

Quote from: gronk on December 17, 2015, 03:43:35 PM

Personally haven't used one for 30 yrs !!

So now you don't smoke after sex?

oldmate · « **Reply #24 on:** December 17, 2015, 08:57:13 PM »

So after reading this thread, the next mod I'm going to do to my camper is a panic room. Fill it with 2 minute noodle s, braised steak and onions cans and some lentils just in case the empire strikes back

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Author Topic: School me on Smoke Alarms (Read 7453 times)

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