Propane alarms are an essential safety device every RV with propane onboard has. This quick tip is about testing and maintaining your alarm and what to do if it sounds.
About Detectors
Propane detectors in RVs are hardwired to the 12-volt DC power system and are no more than 20 inches off the RV floor. The detectors of various brands have LEDs to show that they have power and alarm status. Indicators will show power, warm-up, alarm, malfunction, or end of life, depending on the brand and model.
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Propane alarms must be tested and cleared of dust weekly while the RV is in use. It is crucial to make sure they are powered up and should be tested weekly as well.
Detector Expiration and Replacement
Propane detectors generally “expire” after five years in service or five years from the manufacturing date, depending on the make and model. You must read your RV detector’s manual to determine its end of life! The manual is usually a small folded-up paper in your owner’s packet, but all are available online from the manufacturer. Some detectors will give an end-of-life signal that can be temporarily silenced. Others indicate a malfunction. Never use your RV without a working detector.
So that you know, RV detectors are required per the NFPA standard when propane is on board and must be listed for RV use. Dometic, RV Safe, and Safe-T-Alert by MTI are the most used brands in the industry. Detectors are available in surface and flush mount to fit most legacy detector openings.
ONLY buy from a respected retailer, and ask about manufacturing/expiration dates! If the detector has been on the shelf for years, it may be expired or fail upon installation, depending on the make and model. Don’t go “cheap” with safety detectors!
What to do: Detector Sounding
If your propane or propane/CO (Carbon Monoxide) combination alarm is sounding, determine what the alarm is telling you. In other words, is the detector giving a maintenance alarm or sounding a hazard alarm? Is the alarm sounding for propane or CO?
Aerosols like hair spray can sometimes activate propane alarms, but every alarm should be treated like an actual emergency until proven otherwise. Your life and that of your family may depend upon it!
Propane smells of “rotten eggs” from the odorant Ethyl Mercaptan, which is added during refining. Some people can’t smell propane, so if you are one of those people, extra care should be taken when using propane.
In the event of a propane alarm (and/or the smell of propane), evacuate the RV immediately and turn off the propane supply on the outside of the RV. Ventilate the RV by leaving the door open and return only when it is determined that it is safe to do so. Then check the easy things, like the RV range, for open burner valves. Contact a gas repair or certified RV technician immediately if nothing can be found.
If it is a CO alarm, the same rules apply. Evacuate the RV and discontinue using all fuel-burning equipment and engines. If anyone has symptoms of CO poisoning, call 9-1-1 immediately. Remember, sometimes portable generators can cause CO issues.
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Manuals:
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