Safety Devices (1 Viewer)

[Babyell]

Hi, we have just bought our first MH and it hasn't got a fire extinguisher. Which kind should I buy ? A regular travel one or a dry powder?

I have fitted 2 carbon monoxide alarms and a smoke alarm. What other safety devices if any do I need?

 

[scotjimland]

At least one 2kg dry power..

I carry two, one at the hab door and one at the drivers cab door ..

also a fire blanket..

If going abroad, High Viz vest for each passenger.. 2 x warning tri-angles and a first aid box.. Compulsory in France..

which are of course also useful in the UK

 

[CWH]

Our dealer fitted a dry powder extinguisher, I'm "assuming" (hoping) they know which one is best.
I have a fire blanket as well as an extinguisher.

More experienced m/h'ers will be along soon with more ideas - which I'm sure I'll take advantage of too!

See - @ScotJimland is there already!

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[GJH]

We have fire extinguishers in the driver door, by the hab door and in the kitchen area (fittings for the last two were in when we bought it). We also have a fire blanket.

I fitted smoke/CO alarm as it wasn't compulsory when it was built.

Some people pooh pooh the idea but one of the C&CC rally rules is to have a bucket of water by the van. It might seem ineffective but there was a story a week or two ago about use of buckets helping stop a fire from spreading.

Rule 1 with fires, though, is get out and then only tackle it if competent otherwise stay away.

As Jim said, high viz vests and warning triangles are required in some countries but take care in use. I believe use of warning triangles is not recommended on motorways in the UK, for instance.

 

[Eeyore]

A reliable torch with a good beam, carried somewhere where you can get at it easily in the dark!

I would also suggest a plug in polarity tester. Not only does it tell you if your polarity is reversed but also if the EHU has an earth or not.

 

[Gromett]

If you do have a powder extuinguisher be aware that they settle and become a solid over time. I believe you need to periodically take them out and shake them upside etc.

I had one and tested it and it just gasped and didn't nothing else.

I now carry a CO2 extinguisher.

http://www.fireservice.co.uk/safety/extinguishers

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[Poohbear]

Why two warning triangles?

 

[scotjimland]

If you do have a powder extuinguisher be aware that they settle and become a solid over time. I believe you need to periodically take them out and shake them upside etc.

I had one and tested it and it just gasped and didn't nothing else.

I now carry a CO2 extinguisher.

http://www.fireservice.co.uk/safety/extinguishers

absolutely correct.. dry powder can compact with the vibration in a vehicle.. the fixed dry powder systems were removed from off shore installations for this very reason.. and replaced with water deluge systems.

In saying that, I replaced two 2kg dry power as the date on both was 2002..

took them to the garden to test and both fired off no problem.. but it's better to be safe than sorry

CO2 is not good if you are in an enclosed space when you set it off.. CO2, while non toxic will suffocate you . . I had a very bad experience with it in a generator enclosure when a fixed CO2 system was set off accidentally.. I almost died..

It's ideal for under bonnet fuel fires when you can fire it through the radiator grill.. I would advise you buy another dry powder for the hab area. ..

 

[scotjimland]

Why two warning triangles?

Warning Triangles - You will need to carry 2 x warning triangles when driving in France warning triangle must be placed 50 & 150 metres behind your vehicle to warn approaching traffic if your vehicle breaks down or is involved in an accident. Hazard warning lights alone are not sufficient.

More info here
http://www.vendee-guide.co.uk/driving-in-france.htm

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[Poohbear]

That seems to be the only site that mentions two triangles. All the usual ones AA, RAC etc all just say that a warning triangle is required, no mentions of two.

 

[scotjimland]

That seems to be the only site that mentions two triangles. All the usual ones AA, RAC etc all just say that a warning triangle is required, no mentions of two.

maybe the French site has it wrong..

ask Frankie , @yodeli maybe she will know

 

[StefAndDi]

We have combined fire and CO alarms in the living area and the bedroom. Two fire extinguishers, one inside the hab' door (offside) and one on the nearside inside the garage door.
Stef.

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[Billy23]

Warning Triangles - You will need to carry 2 x warning triangles when driving in France warning triangle must be placed 50 & 150 metres behind your vehicle to warn approaching traffic if your vehicle breaks down or is involved in an accident. Hazard warning lights alone are not sufficient.

More info here
http://www.vendee-guide.co.uk/driving-in-france.htm

That seems to be the only site that mentions two triangles. All the usual ones AA, RAC etc all just say that a warning triangle is required, no mentions of two.

I don't know if @ScotJimland has it right or wrong for France but I can tell you that you need 2 in Spain, whatever the RAC and the AA may say.

 

[Gin Palace]

I

That seems to be the only site that mentions two triangles. All the usual ones AA, RAC etc all just say that a warning triangle is required, no mentions of two.

New law for Spain now to carry 2 warning triangles France still one.

 

[Billy23]

I

New law for Spain now to carry 2 warning triangles France still one.

It is not a new law, it has been in place for years, well the 14 years I have owned my house, from the first day I have had to have 2 in my Spanish car and the last few years in MH.

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[scotjimland]

France still one.

so you don't believe the French site either ?

 

[Billy23]

It is not a new law, it has been in place for years (not that it matters If it is new or not)well the 14 years I have owned my house, from the first day I have had to have 2 in my Spanish car and the last few years in MH.

Sorry double post......somehow.

 

[pappajohn]

That seems to be the only site that mentions two triangles. All the usual ones AA, RAC etc all just say that a warning triangle is required, no mentions of two.

Two are compulsory for nationals, visitors only need one.
the recommended distance is BETWEEN 50mts and 150mtrs behind the disabled vehicle....not one at each measurement.

In the same way all national vehicles must have matching brand and age tyres....damage one tyre, replace both on the same axle....even if its as new.
cant expect a uk visitor to have a set of matching new tyres fitted when visiting france.

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[DanielFord]

In the same way all national vehicles must have matching brand and age tyres....damage one tyre, replace both on the same axle....even if its as new.

I hate to say it, but I've always done that anyway, if one tyre gets damaged, the other one on the axle is also replaced. Maybe I am a bit anoracky, but the tyres are the bit that connect me to the road, so I don't take chances with them.

 

[pappajohn]

It is not a new law, it has been in place for years, well the 14 years I have owned my house, from the first day I have had to have 2 in my Spanish car and the last few years in MH.

May be the same as France though....two for nationals and one for visitors.

 

[Billy23]

May be the same as France though....two for nationals and one for visitors.

You may well be right, but in Spain, the way they drive, sod the law, 4 might be a better option

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[Puddleduck]

I hate to say it, but I've always done that anyway, if one tyre gets damaged, the other one on the axle is also replaced. Maybe I am a bit anoracky, but the tyres are the bit that connect me to the road, so I don't take chances with them.

Same here. The nice man who services my car and the other nice man who does the motorhome service both know that I consider brakes and tyres are top priority and if they need doing to do it, no need to ask permission.

 

[Eeyore]

If you wear glasses for driving then you must carry a spare pair with you.

 

[bubble63]

If you do have a powder extuinguisher be aware that they settle and become a solid over time. I believe you need to periodically take them out and shake them upside etc.

I had one and tested it and it just gasped and didn't nothing else.

I now carry a CO2 extinguisher.

http://www.fireservice.co.uk/safety/extinguishers

I carry a 2 litre foam extinguisher, dry power is EVIL if you discharge it, foam is just a mess

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[Puddleduck]

I used to be a fire officer in a paint factory (many years ago). One of the "perks" of the extra duties was training in how to use fire extinguishers.... not as easy as one would think and each type of extinguisher needs a different technique

 

[pappajohn]

Just noticed the OP hasnt said anywhere they will be visiting europe so most of the post, while informative, wont apply.

 

[pappajohn]

I carry a 2 litre foam extinguisher, dry power is EVIL if you discharge it, foam is just a mess

And if you have an electrical fire ??????

Foam is no good on electrical fires....it conducts electric and you may as well use halon....both can kill you..
dry powder can be used on almost all fires.

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[scotjimland]

I carry a 2 litre foam extinguisher, dry power is EVIL if you discharge it, foam is just a mess

not good for electrical fires..
Dry power may be messy but it's the safest to use around a motorhome that is maybe plugged into an EHU

 

[andy63]

extinguisher. Which kind should I buy

Hi.. I know the common types carried are the dry powder and co2,but if you can get an afff foam or equivalent. .. In my opinion a far better choice.. its applied in a spray nota thick foam blanket and has far better cooling effect... not so messy as dry powder either...
Something like this....

 

[yodeli]

maybe the French site has it wrong..

ask Frankie , @yodeli maybe she will know

Well , the law says 2 at 2 different distances from the vehicle as you mentioned it Jim . But TBH , very few people carry 2! I .... for once , do carry 2! Not because it's the law but because it is more sensible especially if your breakdown happens in a bent. If it 's in the mountains then no room to hide/escape the traffic. You then can really warn people coming your way with 2 triangles! Just my opinion....