What Smoke/CO detectors?

[ari]

Just wondering what smoke and/or carbon monoxide detectors people have aboard their boats?

I currently have neither but figure it's something I ought to be considering.

 

[Momac]

It's not difficult to find a local or internet retailer for battery powered smoke and CO alarms. They need not be boat specific.
Smoke alarms about £6 and CO about £20. I have two separate alarms . The smoke alarm fixed overhead in the saloon and the CO alarm sits on a shelf.

Or a combined smoke and CO
https://www.cromwell.co.uk/shop/sit...smoke-and-carbon-monoxide-alarm/p/KID9941401B

You should have the same alarms at home too.

 

[Bouba]

Not so happy with the combination of co2 and smoke alarm. I would have thought that you want your smoke alarm high and your co2 low. But I'm will concede to the more knowledgeable forumites

 

[Momac]

Not so happy with the combination of co2 and smoke alarm. I would have thought that you want your smoke alarm high and your co2 low. But I'm will concede to the more knowledgeable forumites

Carbon monoxide is about the same density as air so it doesn't sink to the floor . But yes two separate units might be preferable.
one combined alarm is better than none.

 

[Bouba]

Carbon monoxide is about the same density as air so it doesn't sink to the floor . But yes two separate units might be preferable.
one combined alarm is better than none.

Yeah, I may have mixed up my mon and di

 

[Seastoke]

Make sure the co alarm works in freezing conditions some don't it says on packaging ,we have Honeywell make and they are right for boats

 

[MedMilo]

I bought three of these https://www.amazon.com/First-Alert-SCO500B-OLCOMBOV-Interconnect/dp/B0064S9IQ4 a couple of years ago. They're linked wirelessly and I have one in the engine room, one in the galley and one in the little 'corridor' outside the cabins. If one of the three detects something amiss it sends the alert to the other two..., very loudly! And also specifies whether it's smoke or carbon monoxide as well as where the problem is - so the alarm might scream 'evacuate, evacuate carbon monoxide detected in basement, evacuate'!!! The basement in my case is the engine room (the locations are pre-programmed). I test it every few months and it's a comfort of sorts to know that there's at least something on board to wake everyone up in the event of CO or smoke/fire. God know why they're not fitted OEM, no doubt something to do with assumed liability or some other cr*p from the insurers!

 

[Rgrwynne]

You are absolutely right that they should be fitted as standard, by the manufacturer. I do not have any and never even thought about it, however at home you just would not have as a minimum a smoke alarm. I am taking a combined smoke/co2 out with me to Spain. I'm very glad this has been raised as an item and should be a wake up call.

 

[VicS]

Just wondering what smoke and/or carbon monoxide detectors people have aboard their boats?

I currently have neither but figure it's something I ought to be considering.

Be aware that not all CO alarms are tested and certified as suitable for boats and caravans etc

Expalined here http://www.safelincs.co.uk/british-standards-for-co-alarms/


There are two reasons why I would not opt for a combined CO and smoke alarm.

One is that the electrochemical cell in a CO alarm has a limited life, usually only 7 or 10 years

The other is that for best performance they have different location requirements.

 

[ari]

Some excellent advice in this thread, thank you very much!

It had never occurred to me to have a smoke detector in the engine space linked to the internal ones, that's a very good idea. It's occurred to me before that if a fire started in there, you'd have no idea until it was too late.

Unfortunately the linked system recommended doesn't seem to be available in the UK, but I'll see if I can find another similar set up.

 

[benchmark]

I use Kidde CO alarm, 10 year before it needs to be replaced, runs on Duracell batteries not on 12 v so independence from the boat battery banks.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kidde-7DC...4f4b6ea33434a4f2de69b6&pid=100505&rk=1&rkt=1&

I use a similar 10 year span smoke alarm, small and effective
http://www.cavius.co.nz


Both easily purchased on eBay.

 

[MedMilo]

Some excellent advice in this thread, thank you very much!

It had never occurred to me to have a smoke detector in the engine space linked to the internal ones, that's a very good idea. It's occurred to me before that if a fire started in there, you'd have no idea until it was too late.

Unfortunately the linked system recommended doesn't seem to be available in the UK, but I'll see if I can find another similar set up.

I actually ordered the US ones in my Amazon link from the US and they were delivered fine to the UK - that said, there might be something similar available in the UK...

 

[jrudge]

http://www.screwfix.com/p/fireangel...gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CNHcp5ug3dMCFSqgUQodSWYIXQ

Screwfix sell them

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Be aware that not all CO alarms are tested and certified as suitable for boats and caravans etc

Explained here http://www.safelincs.co.uk/british-standards-for-co-alarms/ ...

Well that's an eye opener, just checked my CO alarm and it's fine for boat use, complies with Part 2. Are there similar requirements for smoke / fire alarms?

 

[Promarine11]

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide alarms at any working cost are essential safety items up there with life jackets, radio and flares. The available choice is endless and they are invaluable. Coded craft have them fitted as mandatory. If your craft required a marine MOT they would already be on board and working. Monoxide poisoning is known as the silent death and fires often occur when your asleep. Do please go buy and take another safety consideration off your list.

 

[VicS]

Well that's an eye opener, just checked my CO alarm and it's fine for boat use, complies with Part 2. Are there similar requirements for smoke / fire alarms?

Not in the same way but there are two basic types of smoke alarms: optical and ionisation. An optical one is the most suitable for a single alarm on a boat.

The differnces and the resons for choosing an optical alarm are discussed on this Boat Safety Scheme webpage: https://www.boatsafetyscheme.org/st...moke-alarms-for-boats/choosing-a-smoke-alarm/

See also the link from the above to the FIA webpage on smoke alarms in boats

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Hi VicS, thanks very much. Very useful. I was planning to install alarms anyway, so this has been very illuminating.

 

[MapisM]

http://www.screwfix.com/p/fireangel-wst-630q-wireless-interlink-thermoptek-smoke-alarm/87048

Screwfix sell them

I am revamping this thread because I was going to buy a few of these FireAngel things, but I can't for the life of me understand (even on the manual, downloadable here) if it's Part 2 compliant - which according to the webpage linked by VicS in his post #9 seems to be rather important, for a boat installation...

If anyone knows better, I'm all ears - TIA!

 

[Croftie]

I am revamping this thread because I was going to buy a few of these FireAngel things, but I can't for the life of me understand (even on the manual, downloadable here) if it's Part 2 compliant - which according to the webpage linked by VicS in his post #9 seems to be rather important, for a boat installation...

If anyone knows better, I'm all ears - TIA!

Think you will find post #9 is about CO alarms where as the link from jrudge for the FireAngels are smoke alarms so different regs.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

I am revamping this thread because I was going to buy a few of these FireAngel things, but I can't for the life of me understand (even on the manual, downloadable here) if it's Part 2 compliant - which according to the webpage linked by VicS in his post #9 seems to be rather important, for a boat installation...

If anyone knows better, I'm all ears - TIA!

My FireAngel CO alarm is clearly marked on the packaging.