Preventing fire damage to your RV
It is frightening to think that statistically an RV catches fires every 90 minutes, every day in the United States. The latest records indicate there are an estimated 6,300 RV fires annually.
We get quite a few RV’s in our repair shop here in Dallas Fort Worth Texas with some type of fire damage. Despite the obvious vacation ruining financial loss that can occur, fires can also cause bodily harm or even death.
From an insurance stand point, RV fires are one of the largest reasons for RV loss claims in America. In addition to the total loss claims, there re countless more repair claims for RV’s that do not get totaled but require some reconstruction to bring the RV back to a pre- loss condition. But today we want to take a moment and remind you how to be vigilant, prepared, and prevent fires from damaging your RV.
The monthly RV fire and safety inspection.
During periods of heavy use such as summer travel months, we recommend conducting a quick monthly safety inspection of your RV to keep an eye out for trouble spots. Many of these trouble spots can be grouped together and only take a minute or tow to conduct a visual inspection of each component.
Mechanical issues that cause RV fires.
Engine coolant- You probably did not know this, but evaporated radiator fluid boils the water off and leaves ethylene glycol concentrate which is flammable at 782 degrees F. Exhaust manifolds can easily reach temps of about 900 degrees F creating the perfect opportunity for an engine fire. The same can be said for any fuel leaks.
During your monthly fire inspection, check all hoses for firmness, clamp tightness, and signs of leaking. If there is any sign of a leak, have the lines replaced and the entire system inspected by a qualified mechanic as soon as possible.
A dragging brake can create enough friction to ignite a tire. We have seen quite a few RV’s that suffered fires caused by one tire of a dual or tandem pair that went flat and rubbed the tire next to it to the point of igniting a fire long before the driver feels any change in handling.
At each stop, give tires at least a visual heck. When tires are cool, tap your duals with a club and listen for a difference in sound from one tire to the next. You can often tell if one is going soft.
A hot exhaust pipe or catalytic converter can ignite dry grass, so pay attention to where you park your RV especially after being on the road all day. I have even set fire to a lawn tractor from dry grass contacting a hot exhaust.
RV Appliances
Driving with propane on can add to the danger if you are involved in an accident or have a fire. Most refrigerators will keep food cold or frozen for eight hours without running while you travel. Shut the propane off at the tank to prevent a potential fuel source to an unintended fire or spark. The second most frequent insurance claim is from refrigerator fires and propane leaks in RVs.
If you store your coach for months at a time, check the flue before starting your refrigerator on propane. Birds and insects can build nests and clog the flue, causing a fire or excess carbon monoxide to enter your RV.
Electrical
Many RV functions are powered by an array of batteries which can produce explosive gases. Keep flame, cigarettes, and sparks away. Be sure your battery compartment is properly vented. Keep vent caps tight and level. Check your battery monthly. Replace swollen batteries immediately.
If you are upgrading or modifying any of the wiring in your RV, consult an electrician. Check all 12-volt connections before and after every trip. Many RV fires are caused by a 12-volt short.
Flammable Fluids
Gasoline and propane can always threaten danger of explosions. Though diesel fuel is less volatile, it dissipates more slowly, so it remains a danger longer.
Even if the flame on your galley stove goes out, gas continues to flow and could result in an explosion. A stove should never be left unattended or used to heat your coach. Open propane flames release high levels of carbon monoxide.
In a compact galley kitchen, all combustibles from paper towels to curtains are likely to be closer to the stove, so use even more caution in your coach than you do at home.
Quick thinking RV fire prevention and treatment
In a pinch, a box of baking soda can be used in lieu of a fire extinguisher for minor galley flare-ups. Baking soda is a main ingredient of fire extinguishers. Never pour or spray water on a grease or electrical fire. Only use a fire extinguisher rated for all types of fires on a grease or electrical fire.
An ounce of prevention can save lives.
We often teach our children fire escape plans for the home, but neglect to teach them what to do in the RV- their home away from home. Develop a plan of action before a fire occurs and make sure all travelers knows what the smoke alarm sounds like and what to do when they hear it. Test your smoke detector regularly.
Have at least two escape routes—one in the front and one in the rear of the coach. As soon as they’re old enough, teach children to open hatches and emergency exits. Review with everyone the “Stop, Drop, and Roll” rule so they know what to do when clothing is on fire.
Make sure visitors can open the front door. Not all manufacturers use the same lock and latch assembly.
Choose a meeting point where everyone will meet immediately after escaping so that everyone can be accounted for.
Show traveling companions how to unhook electricity and how to close propane valves, in case problems arise with any of these systems.
If you use a 5th wheel travel trailer, practice unhooking your tow vehicle as quickly as possible to avoid spreading the fire to other vehicles.
Re-emphasize to everyone on board that objects can be replaced, people can’t. Never stay behind or re-enter a burning coach to retrieve anything.
Fire Extinguishers
You should have three fire extinguishers for your RV—one in the galley, one in the bedroom, and one outside of the coach in an unlocked compartment or in your tow vehicle. Make sure family members know how to use the extinguishers and understand which extinguishers are effective on various fires.
During your monthly inspection, check the fire extinguisher gauge to determine if there is pressure in the extinguisher. If the gauge indicates empty or needs charging, replace or recharge the extinguisher immediately. To test non-gauged extinguishers, push the plunger indicator (usually green or black) down. If it does not come back up, the extinguisher has no pressure to expel its contents. If you need help testing your fire extinguishers, check with your local fire department.
Do not pull the pin and expel the contents to test your powder extinguisher. If you use a portion of the powder extinguisher, have it refilled or replaced immediately. When you have a fire extinguisher refilled, ask to shoot off the charge first (most refill stations have a special place where this can be done safely). This lets you see how far it shoots and how long a charge lasts.
Invert and shake your dry-powder or dry-chemical extinguisher monthly to loosen the powder. The jarring of the coach does not loosen the powder; in fact, it packs the powder, which may make your extinguisher ineffective.
Remember the first rule of RV firefighting is to save lives first and property second. Get yourself and your family to safety before attempting to extinguish a fire. Only if you can do so without endangering yourself or others should you use firefighting aids on hand.
Teach your children where you are camping. It’s crucial to know your location so firefighters can find you.
We hope that you never see a fire in your RV, and this monthly inspection and reminder should help to keep your family safe.