I recommend buying relatively inexpensive “RV” smoke & CO detectors. I am not aware of any reason to spend over $20 on a Smoke Detector/Alarm, nor over $75 on a CO
Detector/Alarm.
ie:
Marine Technologies Inc (MTI) #60-541 < $60
12 vdc Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Surface Mtd)
http://www.mtiindustries.com/ms1.htm
Note: CO Detectors have a “useful expected life”, and should be replaced approximately every 5 to 7 years.
As far as I know, there is no
‘Marine’ standard currently available for smoke detectors, and there is no
marine smoke detector listing in UL. The only smoke detector standard, I know of, is written for residential detectors. Nor are there ABYC, nor NMMA
installation standards, for smoke detectors. This leaves us pretty much on our own.
* NFPA 302 now (2004) requires a mandatory RV smoke detector on all
boats over 26 feet and with accommodation spaces. Section 12.3 reads:
"Smoke Detection. All vessels 26 feet or more in length with accommodation spaces intended for sleeping shall be equipped with a single station smoke alarm that is listed to UL217 for recreational vehicles and is installed and maintained according to the device manufacturer's instructions."
The Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) has promulgated, and enforced, smoke alarm rules*[b]* since about 1982 (and CO alarms since 1993).
** ANSI A119.2 - Fire & Life
Safety
3-3.1
Smoke Detector
"At least one integral battery-operated smoke detector shall be installed in each travel trailer or motor home that has a sleeping area separated from the living and cooking area by a door.”
3-4.6
Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detectors
"All RVs equipped with an internal combustion engine or designed with features to accommodate future installation of an internal combustion engine and truck campers shall be equipped with a listed CO detector installed in accordance with its listing.
ABYC does have a standard for Carbon Monoxide Detectors (A-21), which I have not seen. I understand that there is considerable controversy over this standard, which requires shutting down ventilation under CO detected conditions.
UL 217:
Single and Multiple Station Smoke Alarms:
http://ulstandardsinfonet.ul.com/scopes/0217.html
See also:
CO Detector - CO Experts #2002
http://cruisersforum.com/photopost//...php?photo=1863
DIY Heat Detector Cct:
http://cruisersforum.com/photopost//...php?photo=1870