Propane and Carbon Monoxide Detector Placements

[Jammar9082]

I will be installing detectors in our fifth wheel and would like suggestions on the locations. Are there some locations that are better than others? Since propane gas is heavier than air I suspect that a low spot would be better. What about dust that would be stirred up near the floor and the possible contamination of the sensor? Where do the new RV's have such devices installed?

 

[TowPro]

In my Terry the Propane detector is down at the floor level, in fact its right where your feet go if your sitting along the kitchen counter. Yes somebody set there one day and it went off, not sure if thier feet stunk or not, but I had to cut the wire to get it to stop the noise. Later I hooked it back up and it has not gone off since.



Now I think CO detectors should go up high, but not in the corner of the roof/wall. Put them down about a foot from the roof on the wall.



My dads buddy was sleeping in his MH in a truck stop one night and his CO detector went off, they had to move the MH away from all the trucks/cars sitting there running and the high reading cleared.

Originally posted by Jammar9082

I will be installing detectors in our fifth wheel and would like suggestions on the locations. Are there some locations that are better than others? Since propane gas is heavier than air I suspect that a low spot would be better. What about dust that would be stirred up near the floor and the possible contamination of the sensor? Where do the new RV's have such devices installed?

 

[Don M]

Place the propane detector in the lowest part of the area you are going to protect. You are correct that propane will settle in the lowest spot.

The carbon monoxide detectors should be placed near gas fired appliances, but no closer than 5 feet to avoid false alarms. Mount them on the ceiling. CO levels as low as 400PPm can kill ya after a few hours of inhalation.

Install a few smoke dectors too. They are cheap and worth the extra few bucks. I would suggest one detector be an Ion type detector and one be a photoelectric type detector. One will detect the smaller particles of smoke than the other and cover both fast and slow growth fires. Place the smoke detector near the center of the area you are wanting to protect. Dont place it close to a wall and ceiling meeting place. Finally, dont install any of the detectors, smoke or CO near any air conditioning vents that could blow the smoke or CO away. Detectors placed near return air ducts (suction side) are ok since they draw the smoke laden air toward them.



Don~

 

[Jammar9082]

TOWPRO AND Don M:

Thanks for the very good information. I read it the next night but did not take the time to thank each of you until tonight. The TDR and its web site is the very best. The information available here is so very helpful.