ReplacingWired-In and Battery Operated Carbon Monoxide Alarms Beginning in October 1993, all new RVs equipped with an engine or generator were required to install a Carbon Monoxide (CO) alarm, but that changed in January 2005 when they became mandatory equipment on all new RVs. Most RVs built during that timeframe are still in use today and may still have the same CO detectors that were installed in the factory. However, CO alarms have a limited service life and need to be replaced as part of routine maintenance. Carbon monoxide alarms typically have a 5 to 10-year service life so you’ll want to make sure you check for expired CO alarms and suggest replacement as part of any scheduled maintenance. All CO detectors manufactured after August 2009 are required to have an End-Of-Life (EOL) signal built into them and alert the user when its useful life has expired. If the detector does not have an EOL signal, check date code on the alarm. The date code is typically stamped on the back, so turn the unit over and look for a stamped production date. Add five years to that date to get the approximate replace by date and replace the alarm as needed. During routine maintenance inspections also check to see if alarm is approved for RV use. CO alarms approved for RV use are more robust and more stringently tested than residential alarms due to the extreme shock, vibration and temperature environments that RVs are exposed to. Alarms approved for RV use must also pass a cooking byproducts test as they are often near the stove. It’s easy to determine as they are marked with wording “Suitable for use in Recreational Vehicles”, “RV Carbon Monoxide Alarm” or equivalent. NEVER INSTALL A HOME ALARM IN AN RV, always install alarms marked for RV use. Battery Operated CO Alarms Battery operated CO alarms approved for RV use are also available in the market, including Safe-T-Alert Model SA-339 which comes with a sealed-in lithium battery. No annual battery replacement is required with this unit and it is compliant with new laws, such as New York requiring non-replaceable 10-year batteries. Safe-T-Alert Model SA-339 Battery operated alarms work continuously to keep travelers protected and are very easy to install. Update your customers current battery-operated alarms with one that will cover the installation screw holes and will hide discoloration or fading of the wall or ceiling. The RVIA (Recreational Vehicle Industry Association) began requiring Carbon Monoxide alarms to be installed in all RVs as of January 1, 2005. There are still millions of RVs on the road today that were manufactured prior to that date, that may not have a CO alarm installed or have CO alarms that no longer work. These RVs may come to your dealership for repair or sale and should have new alarms installed. All CO alarms have limited service lives. Effective August 1, 2009, Underwriter Laboratories (UL) set a national safety standard for Carbon Monoxide alarms that requires each alarm to have an EOL signal built in. UL mandates that the audible EOL signal must differ from the alarm signal to alert consumers that the unit is no longer functioning properly. Let your customers know this feature exists on newer CO alarms to help them recognize when it’s time to replace their alarm. When you inspect used RVs and trade-ins, make sure you look for expired or missing safety alarms. A new owner will expect to have the latest safety equipment installed on their RV. Upgrading CO alarms should be part of your marketing and promotional plan as it will show potential buyers that your company cares about their safety. Instruct your customer to read the owner ’s manual that is included with the alarm and point out the EOL feature to raise awareness of the alarm’s limited service life. In addition to checking for expired CO alarms, look for alarms that have been disabled or not maintained. If your inspection reveals battery operated alarms, be sure batteries are included and have recently been replaced. Unfortunately, accidents occur because RV owners or renters did not have properly working alarms installed in their coach. Replace any CO alarm that is expired and add this important step to your routine maintenance checklist so it is not missed. Also check and replace expired alarms on all RVs that come in for repair and prior to selling any used RV. Potential sources of Carbon Monoxide include engine exhaust, portable grills, portable space heaters, camp fires, gas stoves and ovens, other nearby RVs, defective engines, portable generators, the exhaust system and generator exhaust. Carbon Monoxide is odorless, colorless and tasteless. A Carbon Monoxide 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. Check the Alarms There are many RVs on the road today with missing or expired CO alarms. Check every RV that comes into your dealership to be sure the CO alarms are up to date. Selling and installing new detectors will help promote a safer RVing experience for everyone. Jeff Wisniewski, President, MTI Industries, Inc. 7
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