Is smoke/fire detector in cargo bay a good idea or a waste?

[belfert]

One of the guys helping with my bus project brought up the idea that maybe there should be a smoke/fire detector in the cargo bay in case of electrical fire or something that causes the stuff in the bays to ignite.

Is this a good idea or just a waste of time and money to install something?  I'm thinking of using the smoke/fire detectors that have wireless links so the detector in the bus would sound if the one in the bays goes off.

My thoughts are that if a fire starts in the bays I probably don't want to open the bays as there may be a flash of fire when the oxygen hits the fire.  I would think even without a detector down there we would know soon enough if the bays are on fire.

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Hi Brian,

This is an idea that can only bennefit you in an emergency. So, Yes it's a great idea.

One step better then that would be Jim Shephard's [RVSaftyman] fire supression and detection system.

http://www.rvsafetysystems.com/index.htm

Check out his site

Nick-

[JackConrad]

Brian,
  Here is what I did on our bus. We have the EG400-5 Fire Monitor & Suppresion System that Jim Shepherd designed and sells. It has 5 temperature sensors. The 2 primary sensors are installed in the engine & Generator compartments (along with the fire suppression part of the system). We have the other 3 sensors installed as follows. One is in the center baggage compartment directly above the inverter & ProHeat, to monitor the temps in this compartment ( low alarm will give audible and visual alarm at our preset temperature (150). One is in the rear baggage compartment near the water pumps, alarms at 150 and we can also watch the temperature display to check for freezing temps in the "water" compartment.  The last one is behind the front bumper.  We use this one to watch for temps that would indicate possible road icing conditions.
  Smoke detectors would work, if you can hear them above the engine & road noise.  Electrical energy as an ignition source is one of the most difficult to monitor because it is everywhere. In walls, inside the ceiling, inside bus frame, etc.    
    As you mentioned, unless you are prepared with a large charged hose, DO NOT open the compartment door. If the fire has consumed most of the oxygen in the compartment, it will be in a smoldering stage. As soon as you open the door and admit a fresh supply of oxygen you can get a Flashover or Backdraft. Both are not good things.  Jack

[Sam 4106]

Hi Brian,
Smoke detectors that are installed in homes these days operate on both 120 volts AC and have internal battery back up so they still work if the power fails. They are wired together so that if one alarms, they all alarm. If you put one in the baggage compartment, one in the bedroom (you do have one there now don't you?), and one near the drivers area you would be covered. Don't put one too close to the cooking area as that can cause nuisance alarming, even from burnt toast. OR, you could put all of that rocket fuel in your trailer and only need a smoke detector in the bedroom. Three smoke detectors would be a LOT cheaper than Jim Shepard's system, but without the fire suppression.
Good luck, Sam 4106

[jlaney]

hello from texas
i worry more about water getting into the bays.but i noticed above where the lights in the bay are mounted. there is some burned places above the light bulbs are mounted.  seems my seals on the bay doors leaks some.
thanks jt.

[CS]

pneumatic circuit with fusable link connected to a pressure switch activating an alarm would sure let you know if a fire was in bays or engine/generator areas. FWIW

[cody]

I've always felt that anything that increases our margin of safety is a good thing, especially at the cost of detectors, small money for a big advantage.

[rv_safetyman]

Hi Brian. This will be a rather long answer to a pretty basic question.

Both Nick and Jack were kind enough to mention my engine/generator fire detection system.  As pointed out, it does focus on the engine and generator compartments.  Jack mentioned the five sensor unit that can be used to monitor bay temperature. 

Before we go too far, we should clarify that there are two types of smoke detector technologies:  Ionization and Photoelectric.  The inexpensive detectors are ionization and tell you "when dinner is done" (give lots of false alarms when installed in the kitchen area).

I sell intrusion alarms that are based on wireless technology.  The system can include smoke detectors.  The smoke detector I carry, as a part of the total wireless system, are the photoelectric.  I used to carry a display board in the bay and it had one of the smoke detectors on it.  I thought it would be a good idea to program it into the system console.  However I got some false alarms that became a real issue.  The first is that I would pick up some diesel exhaust under idle conditions with just the right wind conditions and then we went several miles back on a dusty road in Quartzsite and it set the alarm off.  When I say it set the alarm off, I mean the whole darn system, siren and all.  It was a bit embarrassing to show up at the Eagle Rally with the alarm going off (I had disconnected the siren, but the console was screaming)!

So, bottom line, I would not recommend a smoke alarm in the bay.  I think temperature measurement would be the best bet.

I have had some customers that want refrigerator flue and bay fire protection.  I am working with a racing fire suppression system company to develop Halon 1211 systems.  The bay system is very straight forward.   The flue system requires a bit of development.  I am not sure I will put them in my product line, as it requires a Hazmat certification for shipping and I simply don't have the time to get that done.

Sorry about the lengthy reply.

Jim