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RV Propane, Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Alarms

Where each alarm is, what each one means, how to test them and why the propane alarm sometimes beeps on a low battery.

The three alarms

A propane alarm sits low, near the floor, because propane is heavier than air and sinks. A carbon monoxide alarm sits higher up. A smoke alarm is on the ceiling. Some rigs combine the propane and carbon monoxide alarm in one unit near the floor.

Carbon monoxide has no smell. It comes from any flame or engine. A generator, a running truck next door or a blocked furnace vent can all fill a rig with it.

If an alarm goes off

Get everyone out, and leave the door open behind you.
For propane, turn off the tanks outside. Do not flip switches or start the engine.
For carbon monoxide, turn off the generator and any gas appliance from outside if you can.
Air the rig out fully before you go back in.
Find the cause before you use the gas or generator again. If you cannot find it, call for help.

False alarms and chirps

Most propane alarms run off the rig battery. When the battery gets low, many of them beep or go off. Charge the battery and it stops. It can also trip on hair spray or cleaning spray near the floor.

A single chirp every minute or so from a smoke or carbon monoxide alarm usually means its own battery is low or the alarm is too old.

Test and replace

Press the test button on each alarm before every trip. Keep a fire extinguisher by the door and check that the needle is in the green.

Alarms wear out. Most have a date printed on them and a life of five to ten years. Replace any alarm past its date.

When to call a shop

Call a shop if you smell propane with the tanks on, if an alarm goes off again after you air out the rig, or if a propane alarm will not stop with a charged battery.

The maker's own manuals

These guides cover how most RVs work. Your own rig may differ, so check the manual for your make and model.

Dometic · Fridges, air conditioners and awnings
Suburban · Furnaces and water heaters
Every maker we link to

Renting from us? Call or text 909-259-RVDR before you try a fix. We would rather talk you through it than have you guess, and it is free.

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