do you have a smoke / CO detector?

[stephen Penny]

Biggest risk on a sailboat with a propane stove is a propane leak. As a result, recommend a low explosive limit (LEL) detector.

 

[AtlanticAl]

Biggest risk on a sailboat with a propane stove is a propane leak. As a result, recommend a low explosive limit (LEL) detector.

that would be a good idea, a propane leak is what always worries me. Their are many examples of boats that have blown to peices due to propane leaks. I would also say, and of the boat fires i have known about, they have nearly all been something to do with propane or fuel.

 

[AtlanticAl]

We almost didn't wake up one night, forever! About 2 AM, my wife shook me awake, and said there was smoke in the cabin. I couldn't see the other side of the main cabin from our bunk in the v-berth. I jumped up and opened the companionway hatch, while my wife carried our two dogs topside. The smoke was coming from the microwave. When I opened the door of the microwave, a smoldering roll of paper towels burst into flames. Quickly, I grabbed the roll and threw it under running wate in the galley sink. Apparently, the microwave had turned on when we plugged into shore power, and eventually "cooked" the paper towels we normally stored in it. Next day, we threw away the microwave, and installed two smoke alarms. Yes, they do go off when we cook, but it is a simple matter to pull them off the bulkheads and set them on a shelf until we finish eating.
We also installed a CO alarm in the main cabin. Sometimes, when motoring downwind, we can smell diesel exhaust in the cockpit, and the CO alarm will sound off. So now we keep our dog with us in the cockpit when we are motoring.
Yes, alarms are cheap insurance, even necessary equipment, and I don't understand why my Catalina 310 didn't come with any installed.

I am not trying to be funny, or pick the things you are saying to peices, but, I presume, you had just docked, tied up, then went onto shore power, and put the plug in, threw the breaker, and shut down your engine, generator whatever, and now you are in total silence, and time to go to bed, so you switch all the lights out, but somehow, dont notice the light coming from the microwave, or the silence of the boat, being broken only by the relaxing and gentle lap of the waves hitting the hull, and the whirring noise of the microwave oven. The reason that boats dont come with smoke detectors, is the same as the reason that you never fit a smoke detector in your kitchen, not unless you want to hear it go off every time you use the toaster, or cook a meal, or switch on the deep fryer. I have rental properties, i fit smoke detectors to all my properties, hard wired with a battery back up. I never put them in kitchens, and i tell people not to smoke near them, because it sets them off. Half the time, when people move out, i will find the smoke detectors have been taken off the ceiling, and are sitting in on a window sill, because they get sick of them going off. I have even set them off with a sander.

 

[seadaddler]

My has both

My 2007 H-36 came with 3 co detectors and 3 smoke alarms from the factory and yes when cooking they do go off easy and most times it is removed,had same problem in the kitchen setting off smoke alarm in another room.
nick

 

[Gary_H]

I don't, but should and will.

 

[Scott B]

I wouldnt really bother with a smoke detector, it will be a pain in the butt, besides which, on a small boat, you wont need a smoke detector to tell you its on fire, you will know that before the smoke detector does.

The reason that boats dont come with smoke detectors, is the same as the reason that you never fit a smoke detector in your kitchen, not unless you want to hear it go off every time you use the toaster, or cook a meal, or switch on the deep fryer.

I would say you've got to be kidding, but that advise is so reckless and downright dangerous. Smoke detectors save lives. Period. You will be dead long before the smoke wakes you up. That's why they are now required on all levels of homes. ( at least where I live ) That is also why I'm 99% sure why they are required on boats and why they are installed on all new boats. I don't know the ABYC reg's off hand.

 

[Maine Sail]

The reason that boats dont come with smoke detectors, is the same as the reason that you never fit a smoke detector in your kitchen, not unless you want to hear it go off every time you use the toaster, or cook a meal, or switch on the deep fryer.

Umm many boats DID come with smoke detectors, even before they were mandated, Hunter Yachts is but one example. In many vessels they are required by FEDERAL LAW.

ABYC A-34 requires all new boats to be equipped with smoke detectors if they have a cabin space..

But, if you say so, it must be true, that boats don't come with them...Do you just make up your own "facts" for the fun of it...???

We've set our UL-217 dectector off just ONCE in 6 years from cooking and my wife was seriously burning something. It should have gone off....

Smoke detectors are a USCG & federal law requirement on inspected vessels with sleeping quarters . USCG - CFR 46 / 181.4 and section 181.45 read; "small passenger vessels must be fitted with an independent modular smoke detecting and alarm unit and must meet UL-217 and be listed as a single station smoke detector suitable for use in recreational vehicles".

NFPA 302 requires a mandatory RV smoke detector on all boats over 26 feet and with accommodation spaces. Section 12.3 states: "Smoke Detection. All vessels 26 feet or more in length with accommodation spaces intended for sleeping shall be equipped with a single station smoke alarm that is listed to UL217 for recreational vehicles and is installed and maintained according to the device manufacturer's instructions."

The USCG has also has requirements for early fire detection on-board uninspected commercial fishing vessels and this falls under CFR 46 / 28.325 and also commercial towing vessels which fall under CFR 46 / 27.203.

 

[Johnb]

As a happy side effect, when a big chunk dropped out of our mixing elbow we were alerted by the CO and fire detectors going off simultaneously. I would not be without either.