NSW raises smoke alarm
Smoke alarms to be mandatory in all NSW caravans and RVs, regardless of age
The NSW Government is proposing legislative changes that would make smoke alarms mandatory in all caravans and other vehicles where people sleep.
While newly manufactured caravans in Australia are fitted with smoke alarms as standard, the new legislation would apply to all existing caravans and recreational vehicles (RVs) regardless of when they were manufactured.
The new requirements follow the introduction of similar smoke alarm laws for fixed dwellings in 2006 and will apply to caravans; motorhomes; campervans; holiday vans; buses and other vehicles converted to provide sleeping accommodation, regardless of whether they are registered for road use or not; and annexes and associated structures made of non-flexible material (not tents).
According to a statement from the NSW Government, the fitting of smoke alarms would have prevented many fire-related incidents involving caravans and RVs that have occurred in recent years.
“The risk of fire in caravans and recreation vehicles is high because of the confined spaces and combustible nature of construction materials in them. NSW fire fighters have attended more than 320 fires involving these types of accommodation vehicles in the last five years.”
While recognising that cooking in a confined space is an integral aspect of RV ownership, “recent progress in smoke alarm technology allowed the new policy to be introduced without unduly imposing on the rights and enjoyment of caravan and RV users. The introduction of pre-emptive 'hush button' technology as a standard feature of many smoke alarms makes this important policy much more practical to implement".
'Hush button’ technology, allows users to silence the unit for a short period of time when smoke is being emitted in a controlled environment.
On the spot fines of $200 will apply for breaches of the regulation, with a maximum fine of $550 should the matter go to court. However, owners will be given six-months grace to comply with the new laws and fines are enforced.
The proposed amendments to the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000, containing the new smoke alarm provisions, have been placed on public exhibition until November 5, 2010.
The draft regulation can be found on the Department of Planning?s website at planning.nsw.gov.au
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