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Learn about the importance of testing and servicing RV safety alarms like CO and LP Gas alarms. Ensure compliance and maximize the lifespan of these vital safety devices.
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Background • All new RV’s are required to have a CO Alarm installed as of Jan. 1, 2005 per the RVIA. • LP Gas Alarms were first required to be installed in new RV’s with “gas appliances and electrical systems” by the RVIA in September 1996. • “A recreational vehicle that is leased or rented must have in such vehicle a carbon monoxide detector in proper working order.” - Per Tennessee Code Annotated 55-9-218
Background • End Of Life Signal (EOL) • Alarms must have a built in EOL to audibly alert consumers that the unit is no longer functioning properly. • Indicates the sensor has reached the end of its service life and you must replace the alarm.
Listed For RV Use • Never install a home CO or LP Gas alarm in a RV. • RV compliant alarms must pass additional testing for vibration, shock, extreme temperatures, high humidity, cooking fumes and salt water spray exposure. Home alarms are not required to pass these extra tests.
Listed For RV Use • Make sure alarms listed for RV use are installed. These are tested at more extreme temperatures. 150⁰ F Safe-T-Alert alarms operate from -40⁰ F to 150⁰ F Competitor alarms operate from 40⁰ F to 100⁰ F -40⁰ F Safe-T-Alert alarms provide an additional 80⁰of protection in the cold and an additional 50⁰ of protection in the heat.
Listed For RV Use • Before replacing or installing a CO or LP Gas alarm on a RV, always verify the alarm is marked for RV/Recreational Vehicle use. • “Recreational Vehicle Carbon Monoxide Alarm” • “Unconditioned Area CO Alarm” • Or the equivalent on the alarm
Dealership Inspection • When you inspect used RVs and trade ins make sure you look for expired or missing safety alarms: • Carbon Monoxide Alarms • LP / Propane Gas Alarms • Dual CO / Propane Gas Alarms • Smoke & Fire Alarms
Checklists • Carbon Monoxide Alarms • Propane / LP Gas Alarms • Dual CO / Propane Alarms • Smoke & Fire Alarms
Potential Sources of Carbon Monoxide • Engine and generator exhaust • Portable grills, generators and space heaters • Camp fires, gas stoves and ovens • Other RVs • Defective engines • Exhaust system
Carbon Monoxide Facts • CO is odorless, colorless and tasteless. • A CO leak cannot be smelled. • The initial symptoms of low to moderate CO poisoning are similar to the flu (but without the fever) and include headache, fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea and dizziness. • Carbon Monoxide poisoning can lead to death.
Carbon Monoxide Alarm Safety Check • Remove CO alarm. Turn unit over and look for red stamped production date. Add five years to that date to get the expiration date. Replace alarm if it has expired. The expiration date of this alarm is September 14, 2015. (Sep 14 2010 + 5 years = Sep 14 2015)
Carbon Monoxide Alarm Safety Check • Check to see if device is battery operated. If it is, replace any batteries.
Carbon Monoxide Alarm Safety Check • Test electronics of device • When the unit is first powered up, the CO sensor requires a 10 minute initial warm-up period to clean the sensor element and achieve stabilization. The GREEN LED indicator will flash on and off during the 10 minute warm-up period. This unit cannot go into a alarm during the warm-up period. • Steady GREEN light indicates device electronics are normal. LED Indicator Light
Carbon Monoxide Alarm Safety Check • Test electronics of device • The TEST button tests all ELECTRICAL functions of the alarm. It does not check the sensor operation. • The TEST button is located on the front of the alarm. Press and hold the TEST button for 1 second. The alarm is working properly if the GREEN indicator light changes color to RED and the horn beeps 4 times. IMPORTANT – If alarm does not test properly, replace it immediately. LED Indicator Light TEST Button
Carbon Monoxide Alarm Safety Check • Alarm Malfunction • Audible Signal: BEEP EVERY 30 SECONDS • Visual Signal: LED Indicator Light alternating RED / GREEN LED Indicator Light
Carbon Monoxide Alarm Safety Check • Test CO sensor • Use a can of SAFE-T-ALERTTM CO test gas to test the 400 PPM calibration point using the test chamber included with can. Consider also using a handheld CO monitor to be sure.DO NOT ATTEMPT TO GENERATE CARBON MONOXIDE TO TEST THE ALARM. • IMPORTANT – If alarm does not test properly, replace it immediately.
Carbon Monoxide Alarm Safety Check • Review RV Safety Alarm Testing Procedures with renters and buyers.
Checklists • Carbon Monoxide Alarms • Propane / LP Gas Alarms • Dual CO / Propane Alarms • Smoke & Fire Alarms
Potential Sources of LP Gas • Stove top burners • Refrigerator • Oven • Furnace • Water heater • Other propane appliances • A defect or loose connection in the LP Gas system • Defective regulator • Propane gas leaks can potentially occur anywhere in the gas distribution system
LP Gas Facts • Pure LP Gas is odorless, colorless and tasteless. • An odorant is added to LP Gas when it is manufactured to assist in detecting a leak. • As we age many of us will lose some portion of our ability to smell, however there are several other factors that can lead to a person not being able smell the odorant so people should not solely rely on smelling a leak. • Propane gas leaks are serious and can lead to a fire or explosion
Propane / LP Gas Alarms Safety Check • Remove LP Gas alarm. Turn unit over and look for red stamped production date. Add five years to that date to get the expiration date. Replace alarm if it has expired. The expiration date of this alarm is September 14, 2015. (Sep 14 2010 + 5 years = Sep 14 2015)
Propane / LP Gas Alarms Safety Check • Check to see if device is battery operated. If it is, replace any batteries.
Propane / LP Gas Alarms Safety Check • Test electronics of device • Steady GREEN light indicates device electronics are normal. LED Indicator Light
Propane / LP Gas Alarms Safety Check • Test electronics of device • The TEST button tests all ELECTRICAL functions of the alarm. It does not check the sensor operation. The alarm may be tested at any time. The TEST button is located on the front of the alarm. Press and hold the TEST button for 1 second. The alarm is working properly if the GREEN indicator light changes color to RED. There will also be an audible beep.IMPORTANT – If alarm does not test properly, replace it immediately. TEST Button
Propane / LP Gas Alarms Safety Check • Alarm Malfunction • Audible Signal: BEEP EVERY 30 SECONDS • Visual Signal: LED Indicator Light alternating RED / GREEN LED Indicator Light
Propane / LP Gas Alarms Safety Check • Test Propane Gas sensor • Use Propane or Butane Gas to test the gas sensor. Note: It may take up to 10 seconds for the alarm to sound. • IMPORTANT – If alarm does not test properly, replace it immediately.
Propane / LP Gas Alarms Safety Check • Review RV Safety Alarm Testing Procedures with renters and buyers.
Replacement Tips • Safe-T-Alert LP Gas Alarm Flush Mount Model 30-442-P is a direct replacement for CCI Controls Models 7770, 7771 & 7773 and it fits all Fleetwood RV’s.
Checklist • Carbon Monoxide Alarms • Propane / LP Gas Alarms • Dual CO / Propane Alarms • Smoke & Fire Alarms
Dual CO / LP Gas Alarms Safety Check • Remove Dual CO / LP Gas alarm. Turn unit over and look for red stamped production date. Add five years to that date to get the expiration date. Replace alarm if it has expired. The expiration date of this alarm is September 14, 2015. (Sep 14 2010 + 5 years = Sep 14 2015)
Dual CO / LP Gas Alarms Safety Check • Check to see if device is battery operated. If it is, replace any batteries.
Dual CO / LP Gas Alarms Safety Check • Test electronics of device • Steady GREEN lights indicate device electronics are normal. LED Indicator Lights
Dual CO / LP Gas Alarms Safety Check • Test electronics of device • Gas Alarm: When you power the alarm, it has a warm-up period of approximately 1 minute. This unit cannot go into a gas alarm during the warm-up period. After 1 minute the alarm can detect explosive gas. • CO Sensor: Each time the unit is first powered up, the CO sensor requires a 10 minute initial warm-up period to clean the sensor element and achieve stabilization. The GREEN LED indicator will flash on and off during the 10 minute warm-up period. This unit cannot go into a CO alarm during the warm-up period.
Dual CO / LP Gas Alarms Safety Check • Test electronics of device • The TEST button tests all ELECTRICAL functions of the alarm. It does not check the sensor operation. The alarm may be tested at any time. The TEST button is located on the front of the alarm. Press and hold the test button for 1 second. The alarm is working properly if the GREEN indicator light changes color to RED and the horn beeps 4 times. The Gas LED should also blink RED. IMPORTANT - If this alarm does not test properly return it immediately for repair or replacement. TEST Button
Dual CO / LP Gas Alarms Safety Check • Malfunction / Service Signal • If any malfunction is detected, the Gas LED will remain off and the Operational/CO LED will alternate Red/Green and the alarm will sound once every 15 seconds. Press the Test/Mute button. If the Test/Mute button does not clear the signals, check the battery voltage. If the battery voltage is not low and the unit will not return to normal operation, immediately replace the alarm. LED Indicator Lights TEST Button
Dual CO / LP Gas Alarms Safety Check • Test CO sensor • Use a can of SAFE-T-ALERT CO test gas to test the 400 PPM calibration point using the test chamber included with can. DO NOT TRY TO GENERATE CO TO TEST THE ALARM. • Test Propane Gas sensor • Use Propane or Butane Gas to test the gas sensor. Note: It may take up to 10 seconds for the alarm to sound. • IMPORTANT – If alarm does not test properly, replace it immediately.
Dual CO / LP Gas Alarms Safety Check • Review RV Safety Alarm Testing Procedures with renters and buyers.
Replacement Tips • Replace a single LP Gas alarm with a Dual CO / LP Gas alarm for protection from two gases in one unit. • Safe-T-Alert Dual CO / LP Gas Alarm Model 35-742 is a direct replacement for CCI Controls Models 7770, 7771 & 7773
Replacement Tips • Install only 12 volt hardwired CO alarms instead of battery-operated alarms. • Hardwired alarms are less likely to be disabled. • Disabling hardwired units from a reliable 12 volt battery supply usually requires cutting of a wire. • Users can potentially remove the batteries in battery-operated alarms making the device inoperable. • Batteries can drain without user’s knowledge. • Battery operated alarms only work continuously if batteries are replaced periodically. Once installed, hardwired alarms do not require any additional service.
Checklist • Carbon Monoxide Alarms • Propane / LP Gas Alarms • Dual CO / Propane Alarms • Smoke & Fire Alarms
Smoke & Fire Alarm Safety Check • Remove alarm. Turn unit over and look for red stamped production date. Add ten years to that date to get the expiration date. Replace alarm if it has expired. The expiration date of this alarm is September 14, 2015. (Sep 14 2010 + 10 years = Sep 14 2020) SEP 1 4 2010
Smoke & Fire Alarm Safety Check • Check to see if device is battery operated • Replace any batteries.
Smoke & Fire Alarm Safety Check • Test electronics of device • Test by pushing the TEST button on the smoke alarm cover until the alarm sounds, then release. The alarm sounds if all electronic circuitry, horn and battery are working. The alarm may continue to sound for up to 10 seconds after the button is released. If no alarm sounds, the unit may have a defective battery or other failure. TEST Button
Smoke & Fire Alarm Safety Check • Review RV Safety Alarm Testing Procedures with renters and buyers.
Contact Us 31632 N. Ellis Dr., Unit 301 Volo, IL 60073 www.STADealer.com info@MTIIndustries.com 1-800-383-0269