got one - thanks, they are a bit dearer than $25, but we well worth it.

Bunnings have them for $59

RIP to the two men who died

As Trevor has already said, Bunnings have them

I have (from Bunnings), a combination smoke and CO alarm, in my RV

It has a long life battery, so it is probably the same price as purchasing a normal smoke alarm, and renewing the battery each year

So where does CO come from in a caravan situation? Unburnt LPG is not CO and is heavier than air and will not activate a CO alarm. Maybe a caravanner comes in late next door and leaves their engine running while setting up. I dont know, I am just trying to think what may produce or give off CO in my caravan. I dont have a diesel heater. Just wondering?

There enough idiots who run a generator inside a garage. They generally only do it once.

ConsumerMan wrote:

---

So where does CO come from in a caravan situation? Unburnt LPG is not CO and is heavier than air and will not activate a CO alarm. Maybe a caravanner comes in late next door and leaves their engine running while setting up. I dont know, I am just trying to think what may produce or give off CO in my caravan. I dont have a diesel heater. Just wondering?

---

 ummm, it could come from the gas stove when cooking,it could come from a faulty gas heater under the bed. Amazingly some people use gas stoves to heat their vans on cold nights. We have a gas heater/water heater under the bed, it is made by Truma and is called a Combi - it might get faulty without us knowing.  The fridge when running on gas could get faulty.

One - https://7news.com.au/news/wa/father-son-killed-by-fridge-gas-leak-in-wedge-island-camping-tragedy-c-668770

And another one - https://www.smh.com.au/national/father-son-and-friend-gassed-in-caravan-20120318-1vd2f.html

and I remember a bloke slept in the back of his 4WD at Bathurst with his portable fridge on gas and died

-- Edited by Trevor 57 on Tuesday 29th of June 2021 06:48:48 AM

We have had several times where CO alarm went off - because high winds side-on have forced exhaust from fridge, propane furnace and hws (at different times) into the motorhome through holes that are not obvious.

Probably the biggest cause of deaths is using non approved heating measures in enclosed areas, like radiant gas heaters. They are killers.
It is now not permitted to have a gas fridge vent into an annex area unless it is open on 2 sides.
Cheers,
Peter

Peter_n_Margaret wrote:

---

Probably the biggest cause of deaths is using non approved heating measures in enclosed areas, like radiant gas heaters. They are killers.
It is now not permitted to have a gas fridge vent into an annex area unless it is open on 2 sides.
Cheers,
Peter

---

 Similarly gas appliances should not vent under any widow - Unfortunately this is only an Australian Standard that some manufacturers disregard, and NCAT doesn't uphold as a dangerous fault. 

Tony LEE wrote:

---

Been cases where occupants of a motorhome died because of CO from a generator in a nearby motorhome.

---

That's scary, if true. Do you have any references?

According to a web site on carbon monoxide myths "An open burner on a residential gas stove produces almost NO carbon monoxide. As soon as you put a metal pot on the burner, CO output rises and can run anywhere from 20 to 100ppm (parts per million.) This is because the ends of the burner flames are contacting the metal pot. As the pot heats up, the amount of CO being produced starts to drop, although it never gets back to 0ppm".

According to another web site "Fossil fuels contain carbon (C) and hydrogen (H). During complete combustion carbon and hydrogen combine with oxygen (O2) to produce carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). During incomplete combustion part of the carbon is not completely oxidized producing soot or carbon monoxide (CO). Incomplete combustion uses fuel inefficiently and the carbon monoxide produced is a health hazard.

A properly designed, adjusted, and maintained gas flame produces only small amounts of carbon monoxide, with 400 parts per million (ppm) being the maximum allowed in flue products. Most burners produce much less, with between 0 and 50 ppm being typical. During incomplete combustion, carbon monoxide concentrations may reach levels above 7,000 ppm. Even a small amount of spillage into occupied structures from appliances producing large amounts of CO is a health risk and can be a threat to life".

Exposure in(ppm)	Carbon Monoxide Effects:
4000 ppm	Death, within 5 min.
2000 2500 ppm	Unconscious, within 10 min.
1000 2000 ppm	Confusion, drowsiness & nausea
600 -1000 ppm	Headache & discomfort
25 ppm	SAFE ZONE?? Short term

 

"Re-burn is the most deadly situation and is typically what contributes to the few bonafide CO fatalities that do occur. Re-burn happens when the flue does not work properly, is blocked or disconnected, or is being back-drafted by some other force like an attic or exhaust fan, or an open window during a windy day."

Get a CO detector to ensure that your gas appliances are not producing CO.

Plain Truth wrote:

---

Mike, Do you have a link to that.

---

Strangely, PT, no I do not.

I heard it as a report on ABC Victoria radio news on the day I posted. The news report included audio from the, female, caravan park owner saying how shocked she was by the deaths but I have been unable to find any on-line references including on the Victoria Police website!?

This is the article in the local newspaper of the tragic accident.I  would of thought that tents breathe a bit,but not enough to supply two people with oxygen.

Mike Harding wrote:

---

ABC radio news:

Two men dead overnight in a tent in the Omeo caravan park apparently from CO positioning from a gas heater - maybe jerry rigged?

$25 may well save your life - you cannot smell or taste CO you simply fall asleep and never wake up.

---

 Are you trying to say that a fire in an enclosed space consumes the oxygen and then you have non left over for breathing???? Whoda thunk?

Yep and they used a charcoal heater if its the same report. About the deadliest cooker you can use in a confined space. Poor fellas never gave themselves a chance.

Plain Truth wrote:

---

I  would of thought that tents breathe a bit,but not enough to supply two people with oxygen.

 

---

 It is not about the lack of supply of oxygen. There may be plenty of oxygen, but the CO is very poisonous and that is what kills.

Cheers,

Peter