1. RV Safety Alarm Testing Procedures

2. Useful service life of RV safety alarms
CO Alarm
5 years
LP / Propane Gas Alarm
Dual CO / Propane Gas Alarm
Smoke & Fire Alarm
10 years

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. Listed For RV Use
Make sure alarms listed for RV use are installed. These are tested at more extreme temperatures.
-40⁰ F
150⁰ F
Safe-T-Alert alarms operate from -40⁰ F to 150⁰ F
Competitor alarms operate from 40⁰ F to 100⁰ F
Safe-T-Alert alarms provide an additional 80⁰ of protection in the cold and an additional 50⁰ of protection in the heat.

7. 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

8. 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

9. Checklists Carbon Monoxide Alarms Propane / LP Gas Alarms
Dual CO / Propane Alarms
Smoke & Fire Alarms

10. 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

11. 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.

12. 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 years = Sep )

13. Carbon Monoxide Alarm Safety Check
Check to see if device is battery operated. If it is, replace any batteries.

14. 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

15. 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

16. Carbon Monoxide Alarm Safety Check
Alarm Malfunction
Audible Signal: BEEP EVERY 30 SECONDS
Visual Signal: LED Indicator Light alternating RED / GREEN
LED Indicator Light

17. 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.

18. Carbon Monoxide Alarm Safety Check
Review RV Safety Alarm Testing Procedures with renters and buyers.

19. Checklists Carbon Monoxide Alarms Propane / LP Gas Alarms
Dual CO / Propane Alarms
Smoke & Fire Alarms

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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 years = Sep )

23. Propane / LP Gas Alarms Safety Check
Check to see if device is battery operated. If it is, replace any batteries.

24. Propane / LP Gas Alarms Safety Check
Test electronics of device
Steady GREEN light indicates device electronics are normal.
LED Indicator Light

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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.

28. Propane / LP Gas Alarms Safety Check
Review RV Safety Alarm Testing Procedures with renters and buyers.

29. Replacement Tips
Safe-T-Alert LP Gas Alarm Flush Mount Model P is a direct replacement for CCI Controls Models 7770, 7771 & 7773 and it fits all Fleetwood RV’s.

30. Checklist Carbon Monoxide Alarms Propane / LP Gas Alarms
Dual CO / Propane Alarms
Smoke & Fire Alarms

31. 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 years = Sep )

32. Dual CO / LP Gas Alarms Safety Check
Check to see if device is battery operated. If it is, replace any batteries.

33. Dual CO / LP Gas Alarms Safety Check
Test electronics of device
Steady GREEN lights indicate device electronics are normal.
LED Indicator Lights

34. 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.

35. 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

36. 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

37. 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.

38. Dual CO / LP Gas Alarms Safety Check
Review RV Safety Alarm Testing Procedures with renters and buyers.

39. 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 is a direct replacement for CCI Controls Models 7770, 7771 & 7773

40. 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.

41. Checklist Carbon Monoxide Alarms Propane / LP Gas Alarms
Dual CO / Propane Alarms
Smoke & Fire Alarms

42. 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 years = Sep )
SEP

43. Smoke & Fire Alarm Safety Check
Check to see if device is battery operated
Replace any batteries.

44. 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

45. Smoke & Fire Alarm Safety Check
Review RV Safety Alarm Testing Procedures with renters and buyers.

46. Contact Us
31632 N. Ellis Dr., Unit 301 Volo, IL