Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 05-23-2013, 11:45 AM   #1
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 47
This upgrade was easy and the least expensive upgrade we've done to date on our Redwood, and in hindsight it's likely the most important one. After watching a segment on 60 Minutes last year in testing smoke alarms, I discovered that standard Ionization smoke alarms can take up to 30 minutes to sound an alarm during a slow smoldering fire.

For less that $20 we invested in a Kidde Dual Ionization and Photoelectric Sensor Smoke Alarm. It took two minutes to replace the old ionization unit, and now we have dual coverage.

From The US Fire Administration of FEMA:


"Ionization alarms sound more quickly when a flaming, fast moving fire occurs. Photoelectric alarms are quicker at sensing smoldering, smoky fires. There are also combination smoke alarms that combine ionization and photoelectric into one unit, called dual sensor smoke alarms.

Because both ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms are better at detecting distinctly different yet potentially fatal fires, and because homeowners cannot predict what type of fire might start in a home, the USFA recommends the installation of both ionization and photoelectric or dual sensor smoke alarms.

In addition to the basic types of alarms, there are alarms made to meet the needs of people with hearing disabilities. These alarms may use strobe lights that flash and/or vibrate to assist in alerting those who are unable to hear standard smoke alarms when they sound."

Lowes, Home Depot and most home improvement stores carry these dual smoke alarms.


__________________
2012 36RE Purchased 8/11
2011 Ford F250D w/airbags
Bill36re is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2013, 11:54 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,856
Excellent info. Didn't know there were two types. Thanks.
__________________
2012 F350 KR CC DRW w/ some stuff
2013 36FL
Cindy and Tom, Toby and Kasey (our Berner and Newfie)
Oh...I forgot the five kids.
spindrift is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2013, 02:26 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
atom ant's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 7,101
Very good. Of the two, Ionization is the detector of choice for RVs because of the type of construction materials used in an RV vs a house, however your dual detection is better than either by themselves.

I haven't done it yet, but I plan on adding the First Alert wireless voice type in addition to our Ionization, which are photoelectric and Carbon Monoxide that communicate with each other wireless. With that, I can add a third to the basement. When one goes off, they all sound.
__________________
Brad & Dory - Lone Tree, CO
CURRENT - 2013 Itasca Meridian 42E/2013 Wrangler 4dr Sahara
SOLD - 2014 Redwood 36RL/2014 F350 DRW
atom ant is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2013, 04:57 PM   #4
Site Team
 
Dave&Ginny's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 5,407
My smoke alarm detects burning toast rather quickly and does a hell of a job noticing bacon as well. Maybe it's part dog
__________________
SOB "The RV Wiseguy"
Dave&Ginny is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2013, 06:19 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
Oriana's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,257
I can attest to the toaster as well, and it wasn't even toasted to perfection before the alarm went off.
__________________

Andy & Judi, Canine Companions Duke & Kona
2012 F350 Lariat CC SRW Airlift 5000 |2013 RW 36FL Winegard Trav'ler
Travel Blog: www.andyandjudi.com
Oriana is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Redwood RV or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 06:57 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
×