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Post by barbarab on Jun 6, 2011 8:54:35 GMT 10
Hi, our caravan has a fire extinguisher but it's been fitted up in a top corner cupboard held in place by velcro straps and it's quite difficult to get at. Where do folk have their fire extinguishers in their vans? It seems to me that if it's not easy to get at, it rather defeats the purpose of having one. Barbara B
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Post by Franklin1 on Jun 6, 2011 10:48:49 GMT 10
G'day Barbara, We were fortunate in the layout of our non-vintage van. The wardrobe is set back just enough from the doorway to allow the extinguisher to be fitted on the floor just inside the door. The wardrobe set-back also allowed us to put the fire blanket on the wardrobe wall. Both are "out of the way" when walking in and out of the van, but are both readily accessible from either inside or outside the van... cheers, Al.
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Post by barbarab on Jun 6, 2011 12:26:41 GMT 10
Hi Al, I notice that you (and the previous owner) have it near the door. Is there any requirement that it be near the door? Barbara B
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Post by Franklin1 on Jun 6, 2011 13:15:40 GMT 10
G'day Barbara,
I'm not aware of any rules or regulations or recommendations that say the extinguisher has to be near the door (Firefighter is probably the best person to advise us on that.)
For me, after working for 36 years in heavy industry and receiving constant safety training throughout that time, it's a case of placing the safety equipment in a position where it's readily accessible in an emergency. No point in having the stuff if you can't get to it easily when required.
In the vintage project I'm currently working on, the wardrobe wall is in line with one side of the door opening, so there's no space to place an extinguisher there on the floor. What I'm proposing to do in the resto is to build an 'alcove' into the wardrobe wall at floor level that will allow me to place an extinguisher there. The mudguard is in that area of the wardrobe, so nothing much else happens with the wardrobe space that's down near the floor. I figure I should be able to sort something out when the time comes.
cheers, Al.
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Post by barbarab on Jun 6, 2011 13:42:14 GMT 10
Thanks Al, I think we've found a spot for it. When we put in the new fridge, Tony set in a wide board down the left hand side of it because the opening was too wide. We tried it there on that board, and it's not in the way of the fridge door opening, or of someone wanting to sit down at the table. We're getting a fire blanket this afternoon. She's just about ready to go on the road. Barbara B
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Post by Don Ricardo on Jun 6, 2011 20:26:17 GMT 10
Hi Barbarab, That's an interesting - and important - question you've asked. Our fire extinguisher is in a very similar position to Franklin1's, except it's on the opposite side of the doorway. We have a front dinette, and the quick release bracket for the extinguisher is attached to the side wall of the storage locker under the seat. The wall is set back a little bit from the doorway, so that the extinguisher doesn't get knocked when you go in and out of the doorway. The reason we located the extinguisher there is that it can be easily and quickly accessed from inside our outside the van. Like Franklin1's, our door is hinged on the right hand side of the doorway, so we figured having the extinguisher on the left hand side means that it can accessed by only opening the door a little way. All very cleverly thought out... Except...if you are at the back of the caravan and there is a fire in the middle of the van with the extinguisher at the far end near the door. Obviously van layout needs to be considered! No doubt, as Franklin1 said, Firefighter will have something to say about all this. After all, he is...the...firefighter... Don Ricardo
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Post by firefighter on Jun 6, 2011 21:31:50 GMT 10
Hi All Looks like our Global moderator Don R has dobbed me in for a job All this regulation stuff does not come under firefighting so this is what I have found out so far Aust Goverment Dept of Infrastructure & Transport 22.3 Fire Extinguisher Caravans must be provided with a fire extinguisher(s) selected and located in accordance with Australian Standards AS1850-2009 AS 1850-2009 is telling me bugger all .......so I have sent an e mail to the Dept of Iinfrastructure ......Wonder if I will receive an answer ....might be a bit hard for them let you all know if I ever receive an answer f/f ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Post by Franklin1 on Jun 6, 2011 23:19:33 GMT 10
There's an interesting Fact Sheet issued by Fire & Rescue NSW (previously known as the NSW Fire Brigade), which covers the recent smoke detector regulation, as well as general hints for safe camping and caravanning. The Fact Sheet asks you to "consider having a fire extinguisher and fire blanket near the exit as well." It's a one-page document dated 10 May 2011, and can be downloaded here. cheers, Al.
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Post by jenniewren on Jun 8, 2011 22:01:37 GMT 10
Well....the extinguisher in my vv was pre-ordained. The previous gent did all the thinking. I simply pulled off the old one (wasn't happy with the date stamped 1983) & put the new one in it's place. Like Don Ricardo....it is placed near the door entrance (dinette end) for ease of reach both when in the van or if you were to be outside......the fire blanket hangs beside the stove...also within easy reach! Hope this is helpful? Jenniewren
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Post by barbarab on Jun 9, 2011 8:37:52 GMT 10
Hi, Thank you all for your help. We have put them in place as you can see from the photos. Barbara B
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Post by seeshell on Jun 9, 2011 9:51:03 GMT 10
Hi Barbarab Apart from the very well placed extinguisher - you're van interior looks so fresh and lovely! I like how the subtle sripe on the woodgrain doors is echoed in your upholstery. Well done on your renovation - enjoy it out on the open road. Cheers Seeshell
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Post by barbarab on Jun 9, 2011 12:26:15 GMT 10
Thanks Seeshell, we painted the stripe on the outside the same colour too. We got it colour-matched to the material at the big B shop. They did a good job. Barbara B
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