Aussies warned over impending caravan rule change amid national trend: 'Don't wait'

Isabelle and parter Dave lost their caravan to a fire just days into their dream trip earlier this year after they heard the fire alarm go off. Source: GoFundMe

Caravan owners are being reminded to make a potentially life-saving change ahead of new rules coming into effect in one Aussie state. 

If they don't already have one, all caravans and motorhomes in Queensland will soon be mandated to have a working photoelectric smoke alarm installed in them, brining the state into line with other major jurisdictions.

With more than 900,000 caravans and motorhomes registered across the country, more Australians are relying on mobile homes for holidays as well as full-time accomodation during an ongoing housing shortage in parts of the nation. And a number of devastating caravan fires have made headlines in recent months, bringing the issue into focus. 

From 2027, all caravans and motorhomes must be fitted with a photoelectric smoke alarm on the ceiling. It comes after the rule was already imposed on newly registered caravans in the state last year.

Jason Plant, the CEO of Caravan Trade and Industry Association Queensland, told Yahoo News the broader mandate is "a welcome and responsible move".

The long lead time on making the alarms mandatory in all existing vehicles is about "allowing owners, manufacturers, and retailers sufficient time to adapt, retrofit, and educate consumers," Jason said. 

"It also ensures supply chains can meet demand, particularly for alarms designed to withstand the unique conditions of on-the-road conditions, such as vibration and temperature fluctuations."

Queensland's Department of Transport and Main Roads as well as the state's Housing Department has been reminding residents of the impending law change on social media in recent weeks, urging owners to get ahead of the change. "Don't wait for the law – or a fire – to catch up," they warned.

Owners have been urged to get ahead of the change, which is still more than a year away from being enforced. Source: Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads/Facebook

Caravan owners in NSW must have a smoke alarm installed in their vehicles, in any section where occupants will sleep.

"NSW legislation stipulates that you must have at least one working smoke alarm inside the van where the bed is, and one in the annex if people are sleeping there," NSW Fire and Rescue says. "Caravans and campervans have limited escape options in the event of a fire. You have just a few seconds to get out of a burning caravan, as they are constructed of lightweight and highly combustible fittings. A working smoke alarm can mean the difference between life and death."

A majority of domestic caravan manufacturing takes place in Victoria, which has also had a similar mandate on the books from July last year. As a result, modern smoke alarms have increasingly become a standard inclusion for most new caravan builds.

Western Australia and Tasmania have not mandated smoke alarms in mobile homes, but in general, "the national trend toward stronger safety standards is clear," Jason told Yahoo. 

"It's likely that smoke alarms will become a default feature in caravans across Australia. Over time, consumer expectations and manufacturer practices will help close the gap, even in states without formal mandates," he said

Crews were unable to save the 12-month-old caravan after the fire ripped through it at the Auburn Community Caravan Park in SA in March. Source: SA Country Fire Service

For those with older models of RVs and caravans, retrofitting photoelectric smoke alarms is generally straightforward, Jason said. Typically the devices don't require any hardwiring and can be found at specialist caravan retailers and even some hardware stores. Alternatively, owners can have them installed at caravan service centres, "which offer retrofitting as part of broader safety upgrade services".

"The industry has also seen strong uptake of caravan-specific alarms featuring hush buttons and 10-year non-removable batteries, products that meet both regulatory requirements and the practical needs of mobile living," he said. 

While the smoke alarm might not save the caravan, it could save your life. In March, a new $175,000 caravan was completely destroyed in South Australia after lithium-ion batteries inside caught fire. SA's Country Fire Service said the occupants spotted smoke "coming out of the batteries" before the fire had started. They were able to exit the vehicle safely but it was too late for the caravan. In the same month, a young couple lost their caravan after hearing the smoke alarm go off while driving.

Last year, one family told Yahoo News they were lucky to be alive after their caravan went up in flames in Victoria, believed to be started by a diesel heater inside the vehicle.

This article originally appeared on Yahoo News Australia at https://au.news.yahoo.com/aussies-warned-over-impending-caravan-rule-change-amid-national-trend-dont-wait-003508464.html

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