RV Alarms and Warning Devices

RVing is fun and believe us when we say that the fun begins with safety!  And safe trip is a successful and fun trip.  All RVs are designed for safety and are equipped with some or all of the following RV alarms: Carbon Monoxide Detector, Smoke Alarm, and LP Gas Detector.   Let’s learn more about this important RV equipment.

Carbon Monoxide Detector

This device is usually mounted in a high location and often in the bedroom.  It detects the presence of the poisonous and ODORLESS gas, carbon monoxide, and sets off an audible alarm.




However, this sensitive alarm in the Carbon Monoxide Alarm may be triggered by other things besides Carbon Monoxide including:

• Engine exhaust from the RV engine or generator (most common)
• LP Gas appliance when in use and not properly ventilated
• The odor from charcoal grills
• Other strong odors, aerosols, or fine particulates (ie hair spray, baby powder, room deodorizers, etc.)
• A weak battery. (9-Volt surface mounted unit or the hard wired house battery unit)

Smoke Alarm

The Smoke Alarm is similar to the one you have in your home and is usually located in a high location near your stove/cooking appliance.  The alarm is designed to detect the odor from smoke.  These items may also trigger the alarm

• Smoke from the stove area
• Tobacco smoke
• Camp Fires
• Other strong odors
• A weak battery (this will require a 9-volt replacement)

LP Gas Leak Detector

The Propane or LP Gas Alarm/Detector detects the presence of poisonous, odorless gasses and then sets off an audible alarm.  RV manufacturers locate the propane alarm near the floor, because propane is heavier than air.  The Propane Alarm is unique in that it is designed to do TWO things when triggered:

• Set off the audible alarm; and
• Stop the flow of gas from the LP gas tank.  Most new detectors are wired to a solenoid valve at the LP gas tank which closes, stopping the gas flow, when the alarm is triggered. (Please verify that your RV is configured this way)

Resetting the alarm re-opens the solenoid to allow the gas to flow again.  Remember when the detector goes off it will automatically shut off the gas to your appliances including your refrigerator (if you are operating on LP Gas)  Don’t forget to reset the detector.  Because of their sensitity, a variety of causes trigger the LP detector.

• An LP gas leak
• LP Gas from the stove or any other LP appliance in the RV
• An empty LP gas tank
• Engine exhaust, (carbon monoxide)
• Anything with an aerosol propellant (hair spray, air freshener, etc.)
• Perfume
• Smoke
• A weak battery wired into the house 12V system (Always charge your house batteries to avoid this alarm. There is nothing worse than having an alarm go off in the middle of the night!)

Other RV Alarms

While not standard equipment, you can find other RV alarms such as awning detectors and overhead clearance detectors.  Remember, all RV safety devices can save lives.