ATTENTION: Media release from the Fire and Rescue NSW.

Smoke alarm fines now apply to caravan and mobile home owners.

The NSW Government is urging caravan and mobile home owners to install smoke alarms as soon as possible to avoid facing on-the-spot $200 fines which will now apply.

Fire and Rescue NSW Commissioner Greg Mullins said that for as little as $15, a smoke alarm could save the lives of moveable dwelling occupants in the event of a fire.

“A smoke alarm can mean the difference between life and death if a fire takes hold in a caravan or campervan,” Commissioner Mullins said.

“The limited space options, coupled with lightweight and combustible fittings, mean every second counts in an emergency.”

“Fire and Rescue NSW firefighters attended more than 692 fires involving moveable dwelling vehicles from 1999 to 2010, and these fires tragically resulted in 12 deaths and another 72 injuries.”

A NSW government regulation, which commenced on February 25, make it compulsory for smoke alarms to be fitted in new and existing moveable dwellings where people sleep (regardless of whether they are registered for road use or not).  This includes caravans, campervans, holiday vans, park vans, rigid annexes and associated structures.

The Director-General of the Department of Planning and Infrastructure, Sam Haddad, said moveable dwelling owners were given a six-month grace period to install the alarms, before fines commenced on August 25.

“Now that this grace period is over, fines may apply if an owner has failed to install an alarm,” Mr Haddad said.

“In saying this, there are no additional powers for council or police to specifically enter dwellings to look for alarms because we want to rely on community education and support rather then heavy-handed enforcement to get the message out there.”

“Nevertheless, we hope that the fact that fines are now part of State law on this issue will provide a significant incentive for people to install their alarms.”

I have included the full media release with this months Newsletter for further information.

We urge our Copi site owners to install a smoke alarm everyone’s safety!