Your RV LP Gas Detector is one part of the life safety devices that your RV has on-board. Along with fire extinguishers and smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors, LP gas detectors are essential RV safety equipment. And that is why inspecting these devices regularly is one of the most important RV inspections you can perform.
How Do RV LP Detectors Work?
Propane has an added odor to help warn you of a leak, but you may not always smell it. An RV LP gas detector adds another warning, although it can only detect gas that reaches its sensor.
So take either a propane smell or an alarm seriously. Don’t wait for one to confirm the other.
If your LP alarm sounds or you smell propane, get everyone out of the RV and away from the suspected leak immediately. Do not go back inside until emergency responders or a qualified propane professional say it is safe.
Don’t stop to search for the leak or operate electrical switches, fans, appliances, or phones in the affected area. Avoid flames and smoking, and call 911 or the fire department from a safe place.
Shut off the propane at the tank only if you can do so safely, and do not approach a tank you suspect is leaking. Have a qualified propane technician correct the problem and check the system before using propane again.
How To Inspect Your RV LP Detector
Since it is critical to have these LP gas detectors in good working condition, you need to inspect them regularly. The first inspection you should make is to find out how old the detector is. These devices have a 5 – 7 year life span of effectiveness. So if your detector is expired, change it right away.
Check your alarm’s power indicator regularly, but don’t count a green light as a complete test. Follow the test procedure and schedule in the manual for your exact model, including checks required before trips or after storage.
Sensor testing varies, so don’t assume that a lighter or torch is the right tool for every alarm. Some Safe-T-Alert models allow propane or butane testing, while other alarm instructions specify the test button only, so use only the method your manufacturer approves.
If the alarm fails its required test, have it repaired or replaced before relying on it. For other unusual smells, my RV odor guide also covers warning signs that call for urgent attention.